Not So Strange Bedfellows

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The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce really took the idea of mixing business with pleasure to heart when it hosted a networking event at an adult novelty store.

The mixer at a shop called the Pleasure Chest on April 28 was a first for the chamber. Organizers said it was one of the organization’s most well-attended events, bringing out more than 50 West Hollywood business owners who mingled amid the displays of adult toys.

Amy Anderson, director of marketing and events for the chamber, came up with the idea of having the event at the venue. She said the chamber likes to host its mixers at businesses that reflect the flavor of West Hollywood.

“West Hollywood is a city that’s creative and diverse and has such a dynamic mix of businesses,” Anderson said. As a result, she added, West Hollywood is probably the only city in the United States where a chamber can stage a mixer at such a place.

The Pleasure Chest chain opened its West Hollywood store in 1975. The store began hosting community events, such as fundraisers for local charities, in the last few years.

Kristen Tribby, director of marketing for the Pleasure Chest, said booking the store as the site of a business networking mixer makes it easier for people to break the ice.

“People are interested in doing something outside of the norm,” Tribby said. “It creates a lot of conversation, which makes it easy to start conversation.”

At the mixer, local business people chatted over fare provided by chamber members La Conversation cafe and O.N.E. Natural Experience, which sells coconut water. At the end of the night, the Pleasure Chest treated attendees to goodie bags filled with items from the store.

“Everyone was having fun,” Tribby said. “We ran out of bags.”

The gifts didn’t make anyone blush.

“People might not have known what to expect,” Anderson said. “But once they got in there they seemed to relax and enjoy the crowd.”

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