Teen store sells 'Fifty Shades of Grey' merchandise

GRAND CHUTE - It's a racy book for women that's now bringing merchandise to a store near you.

But many people worry the "Fifty Shades of Grey" items are not being marketed to an appropriate age group.

Keys and handcuffs and suggestive messages are part of a collection of merchandise based on the popular and sexually suggestive book series. But it's who is selling the items that has raised the concerns of some parents.

"I think it's a little worrisome, I mean it is quite an out-there book," said Marian Griebenow of New London.

The novel explores the world of bondage and other sexual behaviors. But now merchandise based on the book is being sold at the jewelry and accessory store Icing. Icing is a store popular among teenagers. Some parents say it's not the kind of merchandise they want their children to be exposed to.

"I wouldn't let my teenage daughter wear them," said Amy Diedrich of Neenah.

Psychologist Frank Cummings says exposing teenagers to the sex and violence contained in the book through merchandise sends a strong message.

"I think it's clearly a message that's intended for adults and perhaps adult fantasy and kids don't often understand the difference between those things."

While parents admit their children will eventually be exposed to such messages.

"These are all going to be conversations that we have as they get older," said Jill Rohan of Appleton.

They worry how exposing them at a young age could affect them.

"I think the younger we are pushing this stuff on them, the more trouble that we are asking for," said Rohan.

Claire's Stores Inc., the parent company of Icing, declined to comment, but an employee of the store here in the Fox River Mall says they've had the merchandise for a few weeks and have had both positive and negative feedback from their customers.

The company did post a message on its Facebook page reading, "Our Icing stores are targeted to appeal to young women ages 18 and up. We choose our fabulous jewelry and accessories carefully and hope we can inspire her, cause her to smile and help her say something about herself."

But some say the merchandise does not convey that message.

The group One Million Moms has organized a letter-writing campaign to request the store and its parent company pull the merchandise off the shelves.