Lingerie Store Using Live Window Models To Get Attention

[matcom]

<snip>

AUGUSTA, Maine -- In this town, window shopping is attracting a lot more guys than usual.

A lingerie store called Spellbound is grabbing attention with live models in the window. Some people have complained, but police say there is nothing illegal about the lingerie models.

"It's tainting the wholesome businesses down here," said Carrie Rossignol, co-owner of Video Game Exchange. "I think it's selfish, and I think it's morally reprehensible."

Another downtown merchant likes the idea, saying the models are attracting more potential customers to the area.

"It's like a New York thing. It's urban. It's edgy," said Stacy Gervais, owner of Stacy's Hallmark Store and a founder of a downtown merchants group. "We need a shtick -- something that we do that attracts people and gets us remembered."

Spellbound owner Felicia Stockford said she has had no trouble finding staffers. She said the young women enjoy strutting their stuff in the shop window.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/5417543/detail.html

[graywarrior]

1. That's why I'm moving back to Maine

They're so quirky there.

[kick-ass-bob]

2. "It's tainting the wholesome businesses down here,"

said Carrie Rossignol, co-owner of Video Game Exchange.

As you don't sell any games with sex or violence in them, do you?

:sarcasm: (due to the lack of an irony smiley)

[WCGreen]

3. What a wonderful writer to imagine the reality of that.....

situation....

Funny, ironic...

[In_The_Wind]

7. ...

:thumbsup:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. IMHO anyone who uses the word "wholesome" in a non-mocking context

has serious issues.

[underpants]

4. Beaches

in Brazil have these type sand sculpture apparently



A man passes by sand sculptures of girls wearingbikinis at the Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005. A new law restricts the sale of postcards showing scantily clad women, a campaign aimed at reducing exploitation and sex tourism that has drawn mixed reactions in Brazil's tourist capital. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

[kick-ass-bob]

6. That is one fuzzy guy.

:yoiks:

[Arkana]

5. Well, it sure as shit would get my attention.

The double take is probably very popular down there now.

[Blue_Tires]

8. i've seen it done elsewhere

Providence Place Mall used to do it when I was living there, and even though those girls were wearing evening wear, it was still pretty racy and got a lot of attention.

The Projo did a story on the girls, and one of the parts i found squicky was that all of their models were ages like 15-16-17....The 3 girls in the OP original photo all look under 18...I guess this whole 'teenage sex idol' theme in the sake of selling a few more nighties makes me uncomfortable...I mean, certainly they could have found some women at least in their 20s? 30s? 40s?

[Left Is Write]

11. I believe I read in another article that the girls are all 18+.

As a woman who is almost 40, I can tell you that I would NOT be interested in such work, especially considering they don't even get paid. :P

[Blue_Tires]

12. some women are trying to build up their modeling portfolios

and some other women just like to be watched by strangers--and who can put a dollar amount on that??

[Left Is Write]

14. I'm not knocking them.

I'm just saying I would not be interested.

[AllegroRondo]

9. Jeez - just install a pole

and let customers give them dollar bills.

[Left Is Write]

10. "Morally reprehensible"?

If that woman thinks this pretty pedestrian display of lingerie is "morally reprehensible", then she's got a little malfunction in her morality compass.

[mongo]

15. Popcorn anyone?

:popcorn:

I'm waiting for the folks that thought the Victoria's Secret Mannequins were too racey for store windows to show up.

Sounds like a good idea. If I were in a place with street traffic, I might try the same thing.