Porn convention tip leads woman
to NCC

By David Iversen

Any customer walking into NCC student Jayne Garrison’s shop knows exactly what they’re in for: The Adults Only Superstore, located on Washington Avenue, conveniently between Sex World and Déjà vu, is a small pornography shop, recognizable only by its bright, fluorescent ‘XXX’ sign.

“Coming into managing an adult store was by no means intentional,” said Garrison. “When the manager decided to quit one day, with no warning, I simply stepped into the position. Six months later, here I am. It’s a really great place to work.”

Garrison, 25, is majoring in law enforcement. “A police officer recommended Normandale to me, while I was at a porn convention, oddly enough,” said Garrison. “I told everyone that I would go to college when I was 25, and I did. I’m glad I did, too, because if I had gone straight from high school, I would have flunked out.”

After graduating high school, Garrison said she has simply spent her time traveling and enjoying life. Now, sporting a total of 16 tattoos and piercing, including two pistols on each of her breasts, she uses her managerial position to pay for her tattoos.

“Quite a few of these have simply been trades for videos. The pistols are actually pretty cool.” Notably, Jenna Jameson, celebrity of the adult film industry, took a picture of them at a convention Garrison attended. “She took the picture because she liked them so much. You might figure I would be the one taking the picture of her chest,” Garrison said with a laugh. “I scaled my piercings way back,” Garrison explains. “About a year ago, I decided facial piercing was ugly, so I took all of those out. I also gauged my ears way back so they are almost back to normal.”

The AOS is a popular store, according to store employee Mouse, because of its “niche marketing”. “When you walk into other adult stores, it’s overwhelming. Here, we have essentially just what people want,” says Mouse.
“The funniest thing about working in a shop like this is checking out someone you know,” said Mouse. “No, correct that: It’s funniest when they recognize you. They usually tell us it’s for someone else.” Mouse said this happens more than one would expect.

“We have become known as the ‘helpful and sober store’, said Garrison. We don’t advertise, but we get a lot of word of mouth clientele because of our staff.” The staff, comprised mostly of college aged ‘kids’, work under Garrison’s management where there is one all-important rule: “Don’t piss off Jayne.”

“She’s a great person to work for,” said Mouse. “She’s really laid back - unless you make mistakes.”
“Which happens too often,” interrupts Garrison with a smile.

Garrison is known to her friends as “Bruiser.”
“Long story short, never call an Anti-Racist Skinhead a Nazi,” Garrison explains. “Even if you are twice as big as them, they will win in a fight, hands down.” When asked to further explain what happened, she said, “It’s best you don’t know specifics.”

Garrison is responsible for ordering most of video titles and chooses movie, based more on title than content. “If the name makes me laugh, I order it. It seems to work with most of our customers.” Garrison then pointed to the extensive Latina selection and a video titled, “Latinas and Salsa.” With a laugh, Garrison said, “Yeah, it’s really good.”

During the time between high school and her return to college life, Garrison has spent time traveling and simply ‘enjoying being young’.

“Coming back to school was a bit harder than I anticipated. I forgot how much I hate homework,” Garrison explains. “But I love being in class and people watching. I like looking at what people are wearing and trying to figure out what the hell they were thinking when they got dressed. If anything I have decided that I got older somehow and have no idea what kids today are up to. It’s kind of strange.” Garrison said she has not gotten involved at NCC or joined any clubs because as far as she knows, “there are no biking or tattoo clubs”.

Although Garrison manages a store, she still takes out school loans. “I make good money, but I can’t slap down a couple thousand dollars every couple months.”
Having just started NCC, Garrison is already making plans to leave. In the fall, she is moving to Washington state to be closer to her boyfriend, who is stationed with the Army there. She will continue her education there. “Every law enforcement officer is trained at the same place, regardless of where you receive your degree. I will probably stick at community colleges and get a degree there.” Garrison plans to work in correctional facilities.

The AOS was awarded the “Best Adult Video Store of 2006” by the City Pages, an honor Garrison describes as nice, but unimpressive. “A customer showed us our name in the issue before we had even been contacted by The City Pages. We were given a free ad and a paper award.” The paper award now hangs proudly next to the door.

The City Pages award was given to the AOS because of the sheer variety of material. From a large collection of adult-themed books, to virtually any type of pornography imaginable, Garrison says it is simply ordering what their customers want.
Filling bags with small toys, Garrison carefully watches the TV monitors showing the hidden corners of the store where two couples are wandering. Garrison excuses herself to go “sell” to them. Getting up from behind the counter, Garrison said “This is almost the same as any retail job.” Almost.