Jan. 23, 2021 By Christian Murray
Romance is back.
Romantic Depot, which sells racy lingerie and adult toys, reopened on Queens Boulevard Friday—two years after its former Sunnyside store burned to the ground in a massive fire.
The store, now located at 47-02 Queens Blvd, sells a variety of lingerie in a range of sizes as well as edible underwear, penis enlargement cream and toys for bachelorette parties.
The store sells adult toys such as strap-ons, dildos, harnesses, nipple rings and vibrators. The adult items are on display in a cordoned off section of the store—behind a red velvet curtain. They are not visible from the street.
Romantic Depot is part of a chain that was established nearly 20 years ago. There are now nine stores–with the re-opening of the Sunnyside location–all in the tri-state region.
The company touts the attitude of its staff for its success.
“The staff at each Romantic Depot store possess a non-judgment attitude, based on our client’s various desires and genders,” reads the company website. “We believe in providing a sex positive atmosphere, sexual wellness and a 100% inclusive environment.”
The sex shop moves into a space that was previously occupied by a number of mom-and-pop stores, such as Optimo Cigars, Veer Mailbox and Avalon Florist. They closed at the end of 2018.
Romantic Depot originally opened in Sunnyside in October 2018 at 45-02 Queens Blvd. but its time in the area was short lived when a fire broke out inside the store on Dec. 13, 2018.
The fire swept through the store as well as New York Style Eats, Zen Yai, the UPS Store, Sidetracks and Better Line Hardware. The stores were destroyed and the lot is now for sale.
The FDNY issued a report in April 2019 that said the fire started inside Romantic Depot shortly after 2 a.m.
The fire began in the ceiling area–and then tore through the walls, floor and contents, according to the report.