Are You Vibing this Recession?

This week's New York Magazine has a sprawling piece on the state of small businesses in the five boroughs, and how they're surviving during the financial crisis. While things look pretty glum (even beer sales are down!), the sex toy kingpins at Babeland have seen a rise in sales. Not only that, but their luxury products are flying off the shelves. Are singles and couples alike saving money by staying in and spicing things up? Babeland tells us: "December was our best month in a 15 year history. It’s holding strong, too, as we go into Valentine’s day. What’s interesting, I think, is what isn’t selling. Novelty items have had a drop. These are things like the Ducky vibrator, penis cupcake molds, products that function more as gag gifts than real sex aids. Customers are making purchases that are more of an investment—luxury vibes are made of high quality materials, rechargeable, and customizable, high functioning toys that tend have multiple ways they can be used."