Rubber Tree Blooms in Belmont Shore
By Charles Karel Bouley
Let’s face it: Most humans love sex — whether or not they admit it. However, with the threat of sexually transmitted diseases looming, many people may hesitate to run wild with their sexual imaginations. Sex is a nebulous concept at best in America, when compared to other countries: We use it for advertising; we love it in movies. Yet, when looking for the tools to fulfill our desires, we’re often relegated to looking in the backrooms of stores or behind pharmacy counters.
In the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic spurred a surge in the condom industry, and the promotion of safe sex insured that condoms moved out of “taboo” and became as normal to purchase as cotton swabs and detergent are. And, once every sexually active person realized the need for condoms, stores like the Rubber Tree in Belmont Shore took off.
Located among Belmont Shore’s upscale restaurants and gift boutiques in the trendy area of Second Street, Rubber Tree offers everything a male, female, straight and/or gay person needs to pleasure himself or herself — or someone else. Dubbed a sex shop, it’s actually much more. Rubber Tree is filled with just about anything a healthy, sexual imagination can conjure up: anal-tightening cream; waterproof Bathtub Buddy Vibrator; ball gags — you name it.
Of course, gag gifts account for some of Rubber Tree’s high traffic, and the store offers items like Bachelor/Bachelorette’s Last Night Party Kit, complete with a spinner with “dares” that promise an unforgettable weekend.
But, don’t take the Blade’s word for it. The Internet is one place where Rubber Tree patrons are praising the store and its staff.
“Shana, the owner, helped me pick out several different products,” Jenny C. wrote at Yelp.com. “I hate [the] giggling and coyness about sex, and you won’t find that here. She matter-of-factly gave me the pros and cons of their lubes, explaining the difference between them all. I never felt rushed or pressured to buy anything, and she had some great suggestions as well.”
“I love, love, love Belmont Shores,” wrote Leanne O. “And, since I was of legal age to step foot in the Rubber Tree, I’ve loved this store, too. You can buy serious products here, gag gifts, kama sutra products and your daily dose of porn. Don’t be shy, go and browse around!”
The Rubber Tree is located at 5018 E. Second St., Long Beach. (562) 434-0027, www.therubbertree.com.