Unique Valley Vixen store opens in Wolfville

The couple who are the operators, Max and Tessa Janes, raised over $12,000 with a GoFundMe page to set up the store on Elm Avenue.
“We’re not Sister Sarah’s,” Max noted, adding that Valley Vixen should spark conversations. “My big intention is sex education.”
The two feminists are soon to graduate in science from Acadia University and they wanted to open a business that would allow them to remain in the community.
Both Tess and Max are keen educators. They have enjoyed doing sexual health workshops for local non-profit groups in the recent years and made valuable connections within the community.
They plan to host sex and feminism-themed workshops regularly at minimal cost. Tessa says they intend to continue working with the Valley Youth Project. She has had experience with the women’s centre at Acadia and both have served as pride co-ordinators.
With the goal of spreading education in mind, Max and Tessa aim to fill a niche in the Annapolis Valley Youth Project, but may offer a course in sex over 50 or sexuality for those with physical disabilities.
“Basically everybody,” says Max, “is interested in sex – not just skinny, white people.”
There is no other shop west of Halifax, says Tessa, that focuses on promoting healthy sexuality and sells high quality sex toys at reasonable prices.
Their stock is still coming in and she says their book selection will be geared to a variety of age levels.
Max had the idea behind the shop a number of years ago, but has been focused on it for the last two years.
They hope Valley Vixen can benefit others, provide them with a living wage, along with three part time employees.
The store has a FaceBook page and new web site: www.valleyvixen.ca