'Big Al' Peterson, Founder of Spartacus Leathers, Dies

PORTLAND, Ore. — “Big Al” Peterson, the founder of Spartacus Leathers and BDSM community activist, passed away on May 3. He was 85 years old.

Peterson had been struggling with some recurring health issues but died of natural causes, Spartacus VP Josh Miller told XBIZ.

According to Miller, Peterson was predominantly retired at the time of his death, but remained an active force in the company.  

“Even up until the last couple weeks, he would call every night and talk to all the employees of the store just to check up on numbers and stuff. I always turned to him if I had any questions about the how and the why of historical decisions,” Miller said. “He was very concerned and involved with company even in retirement.”

Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1928, Peterson immigrated to the United States with less than $200 in his pocket. He secured employment at an adult store while simultaneously pursuing his master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Indiana. When the owner of the adult store passed away, he left the store to Peterson who grew the business beyond what he inherited.  

Eventually, Peterson sold the business and moved to San Francisco. There he dabbled in construction work before returning to the adult market by opening a chain of adult stores and arcades that eventually spanned across the nation.

In the early '70s, Peterson moved to Portland, Ore., where he settled permanently. After fostering several successful businesses in Portland—mainstream and adult—Peterson founded Spartacus in 1987 in a deliberate move to innovate the BDSM product industry.

According to a statement issued by Spartacus, Peterson used his financial success to support fledgling businesses of friends and supplicants.

“’Big Al’ will be missed by all of us in the adult industry, especially his family here at Spartacus,” the statement reads, “His pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit will live on in the adult industry.”

Miller, one of the last employees hired personally by Peterson, told XBIZ that there will be no major structural changes in Spartacus enterprises.  

“I’m just very glad I got to know him and I’m honored to help carry on with this legacy that he started here,” Miller said.

Peterson is survived by his wife Lynda, three children, two stepchildren and five grandchildren.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Male Power Debuts 'Pack & Play' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Pack & Play collection of men's underwear.

Orion Debuts New Styles From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale is now shipping new styles from its Cottelli Curves plus-size lingerie line.

Sportsheets Unveils Rebranded 'Edge' Line, 9 New Products

Sportsheets has debuted its reimagined Edge line featuring nine new products.

Our Erotic Journey's James Guo Profiled on Wired.com

James Guo, founder of pleasure brand Our Erotic Journey (OEJ), is profiled in a new feature on Wired.com titled "The Toymaker Who Wants to Be the Next Willy Wonka of Sex Tech."

Williams Trading Unveils 'Christmas Giftables' Catalog

Williams Trading Co. has released this year's edition of its "Christmas Giftables" digital catalog.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Leather + Lace' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Leather + Lace lingerie collection.

Fleshy to Launch Interactive Cam Site 'Eromote'

Male pleasure brand Fleshy has announced that it will launch an interactive, bidirectional cam site next month called Eromote.

New York Magazine Names 'Magic Wand Rechargeable' Its 'Best Overall Vibrator'

New York Magazine's "The Strategist" vertical has named Vibratex's Magic Wand Rechargeable the best overall vibrator.

Global Novelties Debuts New 'Stoner Vibes' Collection

Global Novelties has introduced its new Stoner Vibes in the Rear collection.

2025 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Retail Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the retail industry edition of the 2025 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 18 in conjunction with XBIZ Expo.

Show More