Always woman-owned, since 1978
Hubba Hubba was started in 1978 by Suzi Phelps (1938-2017). The store was based loosely on Vivienne Westwood’s “Sex” store in London, mixing local punk fashion with Suzi’s flea market finds. In the early 1980’s, a nightclub called Manray opened on Brookline Avenue serving the gay, gothic, and eventually, the BDSM community. The store evolved as the nightclubs (in particular – Manray) and the alternative community in Boston, changed, enveloping the whole of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite Suzi’s passing in 2017, the store has flourished and has grown and continues to grow while maintaining Suzi’s original vision of everybody feeling beautiful, with Suzi’s parting words “Go forth and be fabulous.”
MJ Pullins (she/her), Hubba Hubba's current owner and president started working in retail at the age of six. She was tagging and merchandising at her church resale shop, selling with her father at fundraisers, and even had a toy credit card slider. She was winning retail sales awards at seventeen while working at the local mall, and after graduating Wellesley College with a degree in Art History, went on to a 15-year plus career in advertising, marketing, and public relations. She has designed and implemented displays, product labels, and sales training for Ethan Allen, Expo, Home Depot, and custom retailers around the country.
MJ was married to a world-ranked geneticist/cancer researcher for over 20 years and spent all her free time hanging out in the lab and picked up a few things about science along the way. She comes at the sexual health aspect of the business with a technical skill and biological understanding that is unmatched in the industry.
Hubba Hubba’s Past Locations:
534 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Central Square) (1998-2014)
960 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Near Plough & Stars) (1983 verified - 1990’s)
932 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Original Location)
Current Location:
2 Ellery Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 (2015-Present)
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
Our hours are Monday through Thursday from noon until 7pm (We do close at 7pm).
Friday and Saturday, we are open from noon until 9pm to accommodate those who may not be able to make it to the store by 7pm during the week. We are also open on Sunday afternoons from 1pm until 6pm.
No, and yes. We are a sex-positive, alternative store. We offer a very curated collection of toys as well as clothing, Pleaser shoes, lingerie, corsets, books, accessories, and goods by local makers. If a toy is in the store – we recommend it. But we are happy to chat with you to find what will suit your needs best for your particular needs and situation.
Good luck! Have a sense of humor and patience! The new Cambridge bike lanes and parking configuration has us all in a loop. Feel free to share your concerns about your inability to do business in Cambridge by emailing the following: council@cambridgema.gov, clerk@cambridgema.gov and citymanager@cambridgema.gov. There are two meters on Ellery Street before the store. There are more meters as you go down Mass Ave closer toward Harvard Square. If available, and you are only running into the store for 5 minutes – we have been told by Cambridge Parking that you may use the loading zone (even as a non-commercial vehicle) for up to 15 minutes. Please do not use the disabled spot at the front unless you have such a designation.
Also, please keep in mind that you may park in residential parking on Sundays and on designated holidays.
We do not accept returns. If a product is defective when you get home, please bring it back to the store so that we may exchange it for a new one. We encourage you to try on all items of clothing or take measurements (there are tape measures throughout the store).
Because of the nature of a majority of our products and a commitment to inclusion, by having a blanket policy, no employee is forced to make a “value” decision on whether something has or not been used or worn including clothing (which may include in a sexual manner). All products on the floor are guaranteed to be brand-new (unless otherwise marked as pre-loved); and everyone may buy with confidence.
No.
No. We sell PVC or “wet look” clothing which is sometimes called latex but is actually PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) or wet look. Actual latex clothing is made from natural rubber, is expensive, sensitive to oils (deodorants, lotions, make-up, etc), and can tear easily. Exposure to oils can disintegrate latex. It also has a limited shelf life and is not a good value. We concentrate on offering our clientele the best value for their money.
Many individuals have allergies to natural latex and should not be exposed to it. Exposure should be limited for these super sensitive individuals.