While many businesses have been facing economic difficulties in the past several months, some may be cashing in on the recession.

Retailers of sex toys and other adult entertainment products have reported a boom in sales in the new year.

The San Francisco-based chain Good Vibrations has seen a continuous revenue stream since January, according to Dr. Carol Queen, staff sexologist of the chain.

"We noticed an interesting spike sort of like this right after 9/11 which totally blew us away, especially via mail order in the New York City area," she said. "As a sexologist, I would say it has to do with what people turn to in a time of crisis, what they look to for comfort."

Only the company's store on Polk Street in San Francisco has experienced reduced foot traffic, while its Web site has registered approximately 100 new customers every day, Queen said.

"We think there is a connection with people saying, 'I'm going to deal with my anxiety, and the fact that I'm not going skiing or whatever this year, with more partner sex or finding a lover,'" she said.

JimmyJane, a high-end sex line, has been selling surprisingly well at Good Vibrations, according to Queen.

The line is known for selling expensive toys such as solid-gold and diamond-studded vibrators. Its cheapest product is a massage candle that is retailing at $25 apiece.

Palo Alto resident Nicole Behr, who shops at the Good Vibrations store in Berkeley, agreed with Queen that sex stores serve as an escape from financial worries.

"If anything, during bad times you want to have sex more," she said.

However, Oakland resident Sage Brown still took cost into account when she visited the Good Vibrations in Berkeley.

"I've decided not to buy things that I might otherwise buy," Brown said. "Just because of the recession doesn't mean that I've stopped thinking about or desiring these things. I'm just less likely to purchase. I'm thinking more about price."

But sex toy retailers aren't too worried that consumers will be counting their pennies, said Jeff Dillon, director of business developments for GameLink LLC, whose products include sex toys, beauty products and DVDs.

"I'm not saying we're weatherproof," Dillon said, "but the good old American staple is porn and alcohol."

Tags: SEX, GOOD VIBES