Buy One, Get some

On a Wednesday afternoon, two women in overalls walk into a little Central Square shop and ask for Joe, the on-premises body-piercer. Another woman, who appears to be one of Joe's regular customers, purchases a pair of fishnet stockings. A portly gentleman in a parka and workboots treats himself to a smashing new set of riding crops, which the cashier carefully wraps in black tissue paper.

No, this isn't your favorite Combat Zone S&M shop, although the place certainly could evoke images of such--it's Hubba Hubba, your friendly neighborhood bondage store. An unabashed purveyor of classic, as well as cutting-edge, sexual fantasy gear, Hubba Hubba prides itself in helping people "enrich their social and sexual lives."

Inside, one stumbles upon a dizzying assortment of erotic gadgetry--studded dog collars, chainmail halters, cat-o-nine tails, rubber skirts, Madonna-esque bustiers, stiletto heels, mouthguards, you name it. Nothing's too risque or outrageous for this place--just ask, they may just have what you want in stock. And if not, they'll order it for you.

Owner Susan R. Phelps surmises that in general, men are always hankering after anything that stretches or distresses the penis. "They like to torture their cocks like crazy," Phelps observes.

After 15 years in the business, nothing fazes Phelps. She wouldn't bat an eyelash if someone asked for a remote control vibrator or an electric cattle prod. In fact, a lot of people have been asking for these two products lately, Phelps says.

Fads may come and fads may go, but perennial favorites like your classic wrist restraints and whips are always in demand, according to Phelps.

"I wouldn't recommend bullwhips, though," she confides. "They're not good for boudoir use. They can ruin the furniture."

Teddies and corsets are also popular, especially among the male executive set. Phelps ventures a theory to explain this phenomenon:

"These are the people who constantly have to be on top of things, who have to tell people what to do. So when they're at home, they want someone to tell THEM what to do. They want to play a different role. They figure, 'What the hell? I only have one life to live--might as well be as many different people as I can be.'"