Dell Williams, Founder of Eve’s Garden, Dies

MANHATTAN, N.Y.—Dell Williams, the founder of Eve’s Garden—which is widely acknowledged as the first sex boutique in the United States that catered to women—died Wednesday at her home in Manhattan at the age of 92. Women’s advocate Williams founded the store in 1974 on New York’s Westside. Eve’s Garden provided a discreet, comfortable atmosphere where discerning female clients looking to “expand and celebrate” their sexuality could shop for quality products.  Prior to taking on a revolutionary role in the pleasure products industry, Williams was an actress, advertising executive and Army Wac. When Williams started Eve’s Garden, the majority of stores selling sex toys were designed for and frequented by men. Eve’s Garden originally operated as a mail-order business before a storefront was opened on the upper floor of a Manhattan office building on West 57th Street. Eventually, the store began operating a website, EvesGarden.com, as well. Williams was born Dell Zetlin on Aug. 5, 1922. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Bronstein Zetlin. She reportedly adopted the surname Williams as it was a variant on the name of a man to whom she was married for a short time. Her marriage to Ted Willms was annulled, but no other details were available. Williams, in her memoir Revolution in the Garden, said she got the idea to open Eve’s Garden after participating in a workshop conducted by Betty Dodsen. When Dodsen recommended female masturbation, she suggested those in attendance purchase the Magic Wand. After an uncomfortable experience purchasing the device at Macy’s, Williams decided women needed a place where they could purchase similar items free from judgment. Williams had no immediate surviving family members. Details of funeral or memorial services were not immediately available.