June 29, 1997
STORE SELLS ALL AT HALF OFF
TOPLESS SHOPPERS
By ANDREA SCHAFFELER
Toronto Sun
It might be a great way to prevent shoplifting.
Ontario's first "topless people welcome" store opened on the beach
in Wasaga Beach yesterday.
Tom and Tina's Topless Surf & Sport sells beachwear and swim suits, and
encourages the exhibitionist in all of us to go topless when we come in and browse.
"Most stores have a policy of `No shirt, no shoes, no service,'"
said owner David Blackstone. "But our policy is `No shirt, no shoes, good service.'"
HOLIDAY TOWN
The store on Beach Dr. in the crowded holiday town attracted a lot of interested
customers yesterday, both locals and visitors in town for the long weekend.
But despite the traffic, gawkers were disappointed to find that most of the
people taking advantage of the shop's relaxed dress code were men.
"We've had a lot of topless men, and no one is wearing shoes, but I
think women are still a little afraid of the idea," Blackstone said.
LIKELY LOCATION
The Toronto designer didn't set out to open a topless shop -- he was just
looking for a likely location to sell bathing suits and beach clothes. What better
place than a beach?
In keeping with the recent Supreme Court ruling that women cannot go topless
for commercial gain, store staff kept their shirts on.
Ironically, the item flying out the door yesterday were tops with the logo
"Go topless -- wear it or bare it."