Lotus Blooms

The staff who sold me a tenga was really nice and informative, hence the additional star. I got the impression that if the item was defective that they would exchange it for a working one. My item was found to be defective soon after I purchased it (it stops midway every single time even at a full charge) so I took it back to the store. I was told I’d have to go through the manufacturer to return it. It’s SUCH a hassle to do that especially since I’ll have to wait for the manufacturer to authorize the exchange and then of course all of the shipping back and forth times and I definitely don’t want to waste my money buying another in the meantime. Lotus Bloom should partner up with those companies that empower them to inspect the defective items based on whatever criteria they choose and if it in fact turns out to be defective, have them replace the item IMMEDIATELY and the store then returns the item for credit, new product, whatever. I’m now in the process of attempting to exchange the item and I’m already experiencing roadblocks. This item cost me over $ 80 in the store when I could have purchased it for $ 47 on Amazon (plus Amazon has an amazing return policy, especially on defective items). I don’t think I’ll be shopping here again because of my negative experience (defective item and return/​exchange hassle).

This store is really dope. A little on the expensive side. However, Rory was able to educate me about the product offerings in the store.
They also have sex education classes and book clubs. This boutique is more specialized and somewhat of a niche store. Where they lack in product offerings they make up with classes and knowledgable staff/​educators.

Went in for a small purchase (Sliquid Sassy) since this was the closest place to me that had it. Great experience though brief. Joked around with the cashier a bit, bought my Sliquid and was out of there. The street parking seemed a bit hectic so I went to the lot less than a block away which made this place both welcoming and convenient. Will definitely be going back.

Lotus Blooms is a space so wonderful, you probably haven’t imagined it exists. It’s a body positive sex store with an emphasis on education. It’s a sex store that doesn’t feel skeezy. It was opened by two nurses, so it has as many books as it has toys, and it has plenty of toys, and lingerie, and lubes, and classes, and porn.
Lotus Blooms is your friendly neighborhood sex shop. It has a beautiful and tastefully inviting window display and a staff of knowledgeable sex educators. They research every product they put in the store and they have something for everyone. The carry these beautiful high end corsets that fit up to a 4X! Lotus Blooms is a safe space and is welcoming to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. They regularly host classes on a myriad of subject matter and knowledge levels. If you want to take a fun blow job class with your friends, come to lotus blooms, if you want to step up your bondage or flogging game they’ve got a class for you, if you are a «sex geek» and are super excited because Sex Nerd Sandra is teaching a local class, you’ll find her at Lotus Blooms.
Lotus Blooms is also a great supporter of the local burlesque scene of which I am a part, and we’re super grateful for that.

So much knowledge and all of their products are body-​safe, which I didn’t even know was a thing!

I love Lotus Blooms. They are really good about helping you out and giving you lots of information about things. I went in there asking about corset training because that is what I really want to do. One of the ladies in the store was so good she had asked if I would like to try them on but first starting me out by measuring me correctly then she explained to me that when putting on a corset you want to unlace it fully so you can work it in and where it where its comfortable to start breaking it in. I loved the way they looked and felt on me. I didn’t get one that day but I will be diffidently coming back to get one.

Knowledgeable staff. If they don’t have what you want, ask. Seriously knowledgeable staff is what is important.

I love this store! The staff have a real understanding of queerness and I felt very comfortable there as a trans person. I would suggest this store to everyone I know.
Not only is it a super welcoming space, but the products are amazing. Everything is body safe and you can feel the toys in your hand to see how the vibrations feel or the heaviness of the whips etc.
The staff will walk you through how everything works and they are so knowledgeable. I have not gone to any workshops yet, but I am excited to check some out!

What a great store. I came here with a couple of friends this past weekend and we had such a blast looking around. It’s what I would describe as an «upscale lingerie and adult store.» The store manager that was on site that day was super helpful and nice. I was able to ask her questions about what kind of toys were best suited for certain situations without feeling awkward in the least. There is also a wonderful selection of lingerie, corsets, shoes, and other accessories. I would go there again in a heartbeat.

This store is always a pleasure to visit. All of the staff are so knowledgable, friendly and resourceful. Each time I go in, I learn something new and I’ve never left with just one thing! There’s a newly renovated space in the back with corsets, steampunk heels, and more. I’ve never been to a store like this that was as clean, body safe minded, and fun. This isn’t a store anyone would feel uncomfortable in.

I went in thinking it was a lingerie store, boy am I naïve!
I must admit, I learned a think or 2 (or 3, or 4). This isn’t your typical sleazy adult store, nor is it a Fredrick’s or Victoria secrets! This is higher end and very classy. The lady running the store was full of all kinds of knowledge. You could ask her anything… ANYTHING…and not feel uncomfortable. Or, you could pick something up and she would start telling you all about it. So that’s what I did!
This is truly a one of a kind place!
…and hubby is happy I found it, too

Awesome little shop! I was looking for a comfortable place for my boyfriend and I to pick out a toy and I stumbled on this little gem. The store is super cute! The employees are very nice and respectable. Toy selection is a little small, but everything is high quality!

My friend had a «private event workshop» birthday party here recently, and it was so well-​done and fun. (Let’s just say I gave the birthday girl a lollipop-​shaped birthday card to mark the occasion!)
Eva our instructor for the evening was great, very informative, and easy to talk to. She took the time post-​workshop to answer questions and offer help as our small birthday group perused the store merchandise offerings, eager to take advantage of our discount for attendance. LB has regularly scheduled monthly workshops on all kinds of themed topics open to the public (you don’t have to have a private event to take a one). Seems they just renovated/​expanded their workshop educational space in the back of the store.
LB has a very relaxed, fun, non-​threatening, elegant atmosphere. Evidently a nurse owns the store, which says a lot about how well-​run and how educated the instructors and salespeople are. Even if you don’t ultimately buy anything, it’s interesting and fun to look around at what LB has to offer. And if you do end up buying something, your purchase is placed in a discreet elegant white bag with ribbon-​like handles… so no worries walking on the street or on the metro! Check it out.

I truly enjoy the service I receive when I shop (or browse) here. Call it vain, but I enjoy that some of the ladies who work here are size: «Real Woman.» I feel much less self-​conscious. It makes me feel like I’m shopping with my homegirls!
I also enjoy giggling as I watch Baby Boomer aged men shopping by themselves. I think it’s cool that a store such as this, creates such a classy and safe environment.
I purchase «Poo-​Pourri» and absolutely LOVE IT!!!
I didn’t heed their advice on toys, and regretted purchasing elsewhere. The store is owned by a nurse so all toys are medical quality. I now understand why that’s so important.
Honestly, the only drawback to the store is the limited inventory. This is minor when you realize it’s because they have discerning taste in product offerings.

Although adult shops in no way make me uncomfortable, I can definitely understand why some people might be a bit nervous walking into a store that’s laden with lube and vibrators – if that’s your case, I definitely recommend LB. It’s laid-​back enough for beginners (like my partner).
The atmosphere matches that of an adorable little Ma and Pa shop – it’s clean, well laid-​out, warmly lit and decorated in a very welcoming way; the actual store is very pleasant. The outside of the shop is the opposite of the stereotypical and rather dreaded dirty pervert epicenters that sometimes plague cities… at first glance, there is no obvious way to tell that you’re looking at an adult store; even the sign on the door is small. It’s wonderful to walk into a store like this and not feel like you’re on show walking out.
The employees are super nice and very understanding… perfect example: I walked in about fifteen minutes before closing on a Saturday night, as I live 45 minutes away from the shop, and was greeted by Eva’s smiling face and eagerness to help me find what I needed. She is absolutely wonderful to chat with, we ended up talking for at least half an hour and she helped me even after closing. She’s very enthusiastic about her job and knowledgeable about the products. Feel free to ask her any question, she is great at answering your questions, giving tips and advice, and telling you about the merchandise, and she does it in a way that makes you feel as though you’re talking to a close friend. There is truly no such thing as a stupid question – she is more than happy to tell you about everything from the 50 ways to use a feather to how to put on a condom easier, to thedif. She even teaches classes on various topics during the week. Despite the cozy space, there are still enough toys to find what you’re looking for, within reason (I’ve happily walked out of there with flavor strips that I never even knew existed) – and Eva can school you on all of them. Each shelf has a designated purpose or theme (anal toys, vibrators, toys for women, toys for men, lube, books, lingerie) so the products are easy to find if you’re looking for something specific, and easy to browse if you’re just exploring.
One of the best things about this shop is that if you do buy something, you won’t end up walking down the streets of Alexandria holding a bag that screams «I just bought a dildo!” – even the bags are discreet, plain black bags adorably packed with with white or pink tissue paper so no one can look inside and see what you’re carrying.

Wonderful experience! We came in this adorable shop looking for something fun for a wedding gift. Eva helped us and what a lovely person she is! She was very informative and a pleasure to chat with. I definitely recommend this unique shop — fun and classy!

Worst store ever. I have purchased 2 items from this store first item lasted a couple of months. The second item came with 6 watch batteries, 3 of which were dead and the other 3 just went dead after only 5 uses. I am done with the store

This place is nice, but definitely not big enough for much of a selection. I did find what I was looking for but I would have loved to have more items to browse and maybe buy.
It’s funny that it’s right next door to a Catholic Book Store. I didn’t bother me since I found it convenient but I did sort of stopped in my tracks when I saw a nun at the book store counter while I was carrying the bag from Lotus Bloom. I was thankful the bag is inconspicuous without the store name on it but I’m sure the nuns recognized the zebra print tissue paper. Still laughing about it now.

I’ve been to previous stores that sell these lovely «products,» and have not gotten the same treatment that I did here.
By that I mean WONDERFUL treatment here! I was not awkwardly followed around the store by an employee and stared at like I was at the other stores. The staff was relaxed and made my boyfriend and I feel at ease. So much so, that my boyfriend was willing to buy something for himself to use! I felt confident in our purchases, and was happy to pay the prices.

Lotus Blooms is a real find. It’s elegant and well-​designed, and has a selection of wonderful, high-​end products. One of the best things about the store are the owners. In this era of indifferent retailers who know nothing — and seem to have little interest — in the products they’re selling, the owners are incredibly knowledgeable about their products and how to use them for optimal results, and truly believe in what they sell.
Both nurses, the owners are that rare breed of entrepreneur mixed with a little Ann Landers: no question is too out-​there for them, and they have the maturity and experience to help.
Several times when I was there, customers would come in with some trepidation, look around near the door, and walk out. They should really stick around — they’d get an education, and some beautiful products, as well as some high-​end sleep– and lounge-​wear.