by Rich Monetti

Window-shopping only works when you can easily get out of the car and let your feet carry you up and down the sidewalk, to all the shops that catch your eye. Some in Danbury believe that easy access to their business has been taken away by the city’s removal of approximately one-half of the on-street parking spots in front of their stores. The spots were converted to curb during the construction of the new Charles A. Bardo Parking Garage on Library Place. Among the frustrated business owners is Jay Weller-Streck, owner of the Cow’s Outside Leather Shop on Main Street. “There’s no parking out front, so they’re just going to keep driving,” he says. As a result, he’s decided to do the same.

The Cow’s Outside has relocated to Norwalk after 32 years and two generations of family business in Danbury. Thankful to the community for its support, Weller-Steck says, “It’s with no sour grapes that I leave,” but providing for his family takes precedence in the wake of a slowed business and the lagging foot pace.

Regular customers have been increasingly transacting business over the phone and through the mail. They know a spouse’s boot size or taste in cowboy hats and are comfortable simply making a phone call. Without the customer making an actual trip to “the Cow”, the chance for a multiple sale is often lost.

Lost business has also fallen through the cracks in the empty sidewalk with the setting of the sun each day. Although the Cow is open at night, Weller-Streck believes female customers are now less inclined to shop, having to walk through a poorly lit area with trees obstructing the streetlights. Added steps in the rain for folks has had the same effect on business.

Excited by what he’s seen so far of the bustling dinner and bar beat in Norwalk, Weller-Streck says, “All day long, there’s people walking down the street—all prospective customers.” The Cow’s Outside has
relocated to Norwalk after 32
years and two generations of
family business in Danbury.He also likes the idea of not having to carry almost the entire load, in contrast to conducting business in Danbury. Other than the Music Guild and the Cow, he says, “There’s other things drawing people to the area.”

But, is the hide he offers hip enough to match the new city he’s moved to? “Oh yeah,” he says confidently, “that’s right up our alley.”

So long, though, doesn’t mean good-bye—despite the distance between Danbury and Norwalk. “I’m a destination shop. Most of my customers are coming 20 miles plus, so for them it’s just going to be 20 miles in a different direction.”

Still, he’s happy to leave behind a bit of the Cow’s 32-year legacy in the city he lives in and continues to love. Weller-Streck hopes that “Escape to the Arts” will help him turn the sidewalk “cow” into a seasonal art project for area children. At Halloween, Christmas, and other special days, he envisions children painting and decorating this important town landmark.

That same kid-friendly attitude continues inside the Cow’s Outside. When he sees parents telling their children not to touch items, he simply assures them that “there’s nothing breakable in here, so they can go nuts.” His own kids happily exploit that approach, even if it takes him a few days to clean up.

That may be a different parenting style than his parents took, but one aspect of Weller-Streck’s business style is as old school as when his parents ran the Cow’s Outside: He does not have a website to promote the business or allow online shopping. Weller-Streck is happy to be stuck in that 70s time. “I think the computer is ruining our country. I can’t deal with it,” he admits.

He also takes a pure outlook regarding the charitable events that he promotes. “I don’t allow press coverage,” he says, because it negates the good will that a business is trying to engender.

In the end, he won’t forget the city and how difficult a decision it was to relocate. “It is very hard because I personally love Danbury,” said Weller-Streck.

by StepHanie Lyons Schultz

If you are a woman, the term slumber party probably evokes memories of giddy young girls in their PJ’ s, watching movies, eating popcorn, and laughing about boys. Well, there is now an adult version that is not too far off from that one of times gone past. In fact, “slumber party” today is about lingerie, entertainment, “edible” items and well, yes, the guys. Just don’ t expect to see any of them at one of these parties, though; they are for women only!

“Slumber parties are a lot of fun – a great time,” said Dori Conway of Naugatuck who became a distributor for Slumber Parties, Inc. in 2004. “And I needed to make more money. I can work when I want and make money that night!”

Conway had heard of the business and was referred to another distributor. She then went online and purchased a party starter kit. It was that easy. She now books two or three parties a week on average and earns at least 40% of the party sales.

At the parties she said, “You never know what’ s going to happen! There are so many fun moments at every single party!”

She feels that slumber parties start by providing a forum for education, “It’ s like Sex 101,” Conway said. “They are informative; you’d be surprised how many women don’ t have a clue about their own bodies.”

But once everyone loosens up and the action starts she said, “We laugh ‘til our sides ache.”

“And they are classy,” Conway went on. “I come dressed professionally. There is no vulgar language. The parties are meant to enhance your relationship, not to take the place of a man/partner. They help put the sparkle back – take a good relationship and make it great.”

When a hostess books a party with Conway, she arrives and frst sets up a demo table. “I give a tasteful presentation – then products are passed around. Women can spray, lick, taste, and touch! They sample everything,” she said.

And just who comes to slumber parties? Conway says doctors, lawyers, domestic engineers (a.k.a. housewives). “The stay-at-home-mom skips the book club on a Wednesday afternoon and spices it up with a slumber party in the middle of the day,” she said.

The women who attend her parties range in age from their 20’ s to well over 60 according to Conway. “The older woman may buy a classy piece of lingerie while the thirty-year-old buys adult bedroom accessories (toys),” Conway explained. “ Top 10 reason’s guys say…

“ I love you…”

1. they want something.
2. they need something.
3. they want
   something else.
4. It’s Valentine’s Day.
5. It’s your Wedding Day.
6. Flirting is fun.
7. Why not? It sure beats,
   “I Hate You.”
8. their new self-love
   book recommends it.
9. Love is a verb and it
   sounds nice.
10. Chicks dig it.

And you get everyone from the extremely conservative to the ‘super freak.’ But they’ll go to the ordering room and (the conservative woman) may spend three hundred dollars in a heartbeat!”

For everyone’ s comfort, everything is confdential at these parties. All ordering is done one-by-one in a private area. One great beneft to the parties Conway says is also the fact that she carries extensive inventory so that women leave with their bag of “goodies” that night.

As for the goodies, Conway says popular merchandise is from the “Tease and Please” section – lots of things to “spice it up,” and from the “Relax-to-the-Max” bath section. Products like favored lubricants are hot, as well as “Nympho Niagra” cream she says. Many party-goers also show interest in items from the “Fun and Games” section like “cozy cuffs” (handcuffs) or masks, shaped ice trays, candy necklaces or candy g-strings, even scented body massage oils and sexy notepads.

And there are incentives for hostesses. There are rewards such as 10% of the party sales in a shopping spree, which can easily be $100 for the average $1,000 party. As well, discounts like 50% off for lingerie and 40% off of any other items make ordering that much easier. There are thank you gifts for every ten women who attend and a $25 gift certifcate for each guest who books their own party that night.

Leigh Velez of Waterbury was Conway’ s first hostess. “I was thrilled,” she said. “I’d always wanted to have (a party) – I’d been to one before.” When she found out Conway was a distributor, she immediately scheduled hers.

“Dori made us all feel unbelievably comfortable. She was so funny,” Velez said. “We had a blast. And I have a friend who is the shy, mousy type. After (the party) I couldn’ t shut her up.”

“The variety (of products) is quite nice. There were things I wasn’ t aware of,” Velez said with a laugh. “I was surprised – there were things I never thought were available and things I wouldn’ t try.”

Velez’ s advice to anyone considering booking a party is, “Jump in with both feet. They are fun! Even if you don’ t buy, although that is the goal, it warms you up to talk about things. You know how embarrassed we can be – you discuss things you may want to know but don’ t generally talk about.”

Conway believes strongly that slumber parties enhance how women feel about and look at themselves.

“It is our motto that they are for women only. Leave your husband, boyfriend, children at home and get away,” she said.

And the bonus? “It is the one party that men (willingly) give their wives their credit cards or a blank check!”

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Dori Conway travels throughout Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania doing slumber parties. For more information, call Conway at (203) 482-3904, send e-mail to , or visit slumberpartiesbydori.com.