Nudist Mart

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Reuters

Thursday February 8 8:20 AM ET

Nudist Practices What He Preaches --At Work

By Cameron French

TORONTO (Reuters) - They say Malcolm Scott's the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, and if you go to his store north of Toronto, you'll see him ditching his pants, socks and underwear as well.

As owner and operator of The Nudist Store, a one-stop information and product outlet for Canadian nudists, Scott likes to practice what he preaches. Which means that, along with espousing the benefits of living life sans clothing, Malcolm spends his working hours in the buff.

``Our store was set up for two reasons, to provide products for the existing naturist community,'' he said. ``And to give nudist wannabes a place to go -- a portal into naturism without actually having to go to a nudist park or nudist resort for the first time, which can be a little intimidating.''

Toronto residents are not strangers to nudism. A nude beach located on an island in Toronto's harbor created an uproar when it was initially opened in 1999, but has been operating smoothly ever since.

City councilor George Mammoliti, who vociferously opposed the nude beach project, says that businesses like Scott's are not a healthy thing for Toronto.

``Why is it acceptable for somebody to run a store nude and nobody's saying anything about it?'' he said. ``I think he's got quite the balls to open up a store nude.''

The store, safe from prying peepers by thick blinds, sells naturist travel guides, history books, naturist videos, body-image literature, and just about anything else a prospective naturist could ever want.

For the safety-conscious naked chef, there are aprons, while the nudist with wheels can help himself to one of Scott's ''famous pillow-pocket towels'', the ultimate accessory for the nudist looking for a spot to stow his keys.

For Scott, the store is not just a business opportunity, but a platform for which to send out the message that naturism is a healthy thing.

``It's a way of life. There are very few reasons to wear clothes,'' he says. ``You're sitting in an office now with heat. Why do you have to wear clothing?''

But despite the risque nature of his business, Scott, who employs five part-timers who may or may not be dressed at any given time, says he has not received much negative reaction.

``People are loving it,'' he said. ``The nudist community thinks it's wonderful, because now they have their own store.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), February 08, 2001

Answers

Nudism in Toronto? Brrrrr!

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), February 08, 2001.

``I think he's got quite the balls to open up a store nude.''

I think the city councilor took a peek?...LOL

-- Peg (pegmcleod@mediaone.net), February 09, 2001.


What does he sell? What do nudists buy? Bush-brushes?

-- (nemesis@awol.com), February 09, 2001.

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