from www.poconorecord.com – Along a thoroughfare lined with storefronts and cafes, the purple-and-yellow swimming sperm motif of Main Street’s latest store is turning heads.

As the name implies, Condoms Galore sells a variety of prophylactics among other adult-themed merchandise.

“A lot of people walk by the window and their jaws hit the floor,” said cashier Samantha Schwenk.

Since the store opened last Wednesday, passers-by, both those on foot and in cars, have been taking out cameras to snap photos. Besides its namesake, the store sells lingerie and stockings, wigs, a small selection of adult toys and gag gifts. The store also contains a smoke shop, selling glass pipes, bongs and hookahs — Oriental tobacco pipes with long, flexible tubes used to inhale the smoke.

“There’s definitely been a major reaction, but I would say it’s more of a positive reaction. A lot of people are happy and excited we’re here. The business owners are happy we came because it draws in the college crowd,” said store manager Tiffany Silfies.

Only those 18 and older are allowed inside.

“We are very strict with the carding. I’m 28, and anyone who looks younger than me, I ask to see their identification,” Silfies said.

So far, Condoms Galore has seen a variety of patrons, from the college crowd to older folks looking for gag gifts. The store is owned by Gothic Inc., located in Whitehall.

Other Condoms Galore stores are in Easton, Bethlehem, Walnutport and Whitehall.

The company also owns Exotic Dreams in Allentown, Underground Gift and Novelty Company, with locations in Whitehall and Wind Gap, and Oh! Zone Video in Allentown.

The Stroudsburg store is the only one on a main street, and store owners have tried to keep that in mind.

“This store is actually pretty tame in comparison to our others,” Silfies said.

Other locations of Condoms Galore have a more extensive display of adult toys. The Stroudsburg location also foregoes pornography.

Since last week, Borough Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Wilkins received a phone call and an email, one from a concerned citizen and one from a business owner, questioning why the store was allowed to open.

“Retail sales is a permitted use in the zoning district, and that’s what they’re doing. They are selling retail merchandise,” Wilkins said.

Richard Berkowitz, president of the Jacob Stroud Corporation’s Downtown Stroudsburg Association, isn’t concerned.

“I think the reality is the name of the store catches people off guard, but I think you have to go in and realize it’s a retail store and they sell a lot of other things besides condoms. We hope they are going to bring good business to the area and be good neighbors,” he said.