End of an Era: Venus Envy Closes Ottawa Warehouse After 25 Years
Ottawa's iconic sex shop and bookstore Venus Envy will shutter its Catherine Street warehouse in March, marking the end of the business's physical presence in the city after more than two decades of operation. The closure represents a significant loss for a community that has long relied on the establishment for in-person guidance on sexual health and gender expression.
Financial Pressures Force Consolidation
Owner Marshall Haywood announced the impending closure in a message to customers on February 3, citing prolonged financial strain as the primary reason for consolidating operations back to the East Coast. The flagship Venus Envy store in Halifax will now handle all fulfillment for online orders across Canada.
"The closure of our warehouse isn't a decision that was made lightly or quickly," wrote Haywood. "It has become unavoidably clear that the only chance to save the business as a whole is to consolidate operations in Halifax and ship online orders from there."
Since a 2022 fire forced the closure of the Bank Street storefront, the warehouse had been operating two days weekly, allowing customers to shop in-person for sex toys and gender-affirming products. This temporary arrangement provided crucial access for those who preferred face-to-face consultations.
A Transformative Community Resource
Venus Envy first opened in Ottawa in 2001 as a retail space focused on women's sexual health, gradually expanding into a comprehensive resource for products and information related to gender expression. The store became known for:
- Hosting peer-led workshops on various sexual health topics
- Operating a pay-it-forward program distributing free gender-affirming garments
- Providing safe, judgment-free consultations for customers
- Serving as one of the few physical spaces offering such specialized guidance
For many years, Venus Envy stood as one of the only establishments in Ottawa where people could access in-person support for sexual health and gender expression, particularly before online ordering became widespread.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges
The store faced significant regulatory hurdles in 2015 when it became subject to a bylaw review after a teenager purchased a chest binder. The existing bylaw, originally written to regulate adult entertainment stores, made no distinction between erotic materials and gender-affirming garments.
At the time, Venus Envy served as the only physical store in Ottawa selling these products, often assisting young people who couldn't order online or who visited with parents seeking guidance. Then-councillor Catherine McKenney and Mayor Jim Watson advocated for bylaw changes, describing the garments as vital health supports for trans youth.
The store responded by removing adult videos from the premises, allowing it to qualify as an all-ages space and continue serving the community's diverse needs.
Evolution of Ownership and Operations
The business underwent several ownership transitions throughout its history:
- Founder Shelley Taylor established the store in 2001
- Longtime employee Sam Whittle took over in 2016 when Taylor pursued sexual health education work
- After the 2022 fire, Halifax store owner Marshall Haywood acquired the Ottawa website and warehouse
This final acquisition brought both branches under shared ownership for the first time, creating a unified operation that will now continue exclusively from Halifax.
Continuing the Mission Online
Despite the physical closure, Venus Envy's mission will continue through its web store serving customers across Canada. The business plans to maintain its educational programming with upcoming online events including:
- "Sex, Pleasure and Aging" workshops
- $5 sessions on kink and trauma-informed sexuality
- Various other sexual health education programs
News of the warehouse closure has generated an outpouring of community responses, with many former customers describing Venus Envy as a formative space in their lives. The establishment served not just as a retail location but as a vital community hub that provided education, support, and acceptance during a period when such resources were scarce in Ottawa.
The closure marks the end of a significant chapter in Ottawa's retail and community support landscape, though the business's online presence ensures its educational mission will continue to reach Canadians nationwide.
