Toys R Us

Recently I was telling Ron about the hotel I would be staying at for an upcoming convention. The hotel is in an ideal location; close to a drug store, a wine shop, several fast food outlets, public transportation, and an excellent shopping district.

He listened, then grinned and asked me, "Is it close to a spanking place?"
"If you mean an adult store, then yes, there are two that are pretty close. Although I wouldn't be surprised if there's a place nearby that gives spankings too."
My plan on this trip is to visit a place that isn't your run of the mill adult toy store, with vibrators, lingerie, and chocolates shaped like genitalia. It's a place that has the word 'leather' in its name, and judging from their website, this is a real BDSM shop.
My reason for going is to look at their selection of leather paddles and such. I could order something on the internet, but I'd rather see and feel the items first. Feel probably isn't the best choice of word here; I'm not that brave. I want to touch and hold the implements before I choose.
So part of me is thinking, oh, I'll feel really out of place going there. What if everyone is dressed in fetish wear? Maybe I'd better forget about it.
But another part of me is saying, of course you have every right to shop there. It's a big city, nobody knows you, they get all sorts in there, you're just another tourist. And you want to buy what they have to sell.
I'll look upon it as a variation of buying Cuban cigars. If I happen to be near a tobacconist while in the big city, I usually stop in and get some for Ron. But it isn't as simple as walking in and taking a box off a shelf. I have to specifically ask for Cuban cigars. then I am taken to a back room or upstairs to make my selection. Not because there's anything illegal or shameful about cigars, President Clinton notwithstanding! It's just that they need to be kept in a carefully-controlled environment.
So I'll probably have to ask someone where the paddles and straps are kept, if I don't see any in plain sight. But that's okay. I know what I want.
I will made sure I'm wearing my leather jacket. You know, the one the shoemaker fixed. And I'll take a canvas bag to hide carry my purchases back to the hotel.