LOS ANGELES — Holiday Products founder Moe Levy, a pioneer of the adult home party industry, has passed away at 87 years old.
In an XBIZ Premiere profile from 2016 honoring Holiday Products’ 30th anniversary, Levy discussed how he got into the industry, explaining that he was inspired by an episode of Phil Donahue’s talk show that featured a female home party entrepreneur from New York.
“She was doing ‘home parties’ showing sex toys and more for women in their homes, which was a very comfortable, safe setting,” Levy said. “I thought, ‘What a wonderful idea!’”
Using his business and sales background, Levy and his girlfriend put together a collection of adult products along with a presentation, and started hosting home parties.
“I continued to hone my skills in this industry and worked only part-time for the next few years until I moved into my own business full-time, and in 1985 Holiday Products was born,” he said.
As the company grew, Levy trained “love consultants” around the country to host the in-home presentations. In 1985, the company began manufacturing its own products — and thus Classic Erotica was established.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York as an only child, Levy learned his business savvy at an early age from his parents, who owned a store. Levy also instilled a strong work ethic in his own son, Loren Levy, who is now the president of the rebranded Classic Brands.
Ken Sahn joined the company in 2009 as president, and was credited by Levy as being instrumental in transforming Holiday Products from primarily a home party distributor to “a much larger, stronger and diverse distribution force” that also encompassed both brick-and-mortar and internet commerce.
According to Sahn, in recent years Moe Levy was semi-retired, checking in with Loren and the business weekly while focusing more on travel and being with his family, the passions that most occupied his final years.
“My heart goes out to Loren, his family, our entire WTFN team, and all those in the industry who knew and loved Moe,” Sahn said. “He was a pioneer, mentor and father figure to so many. His smile, laugh and genuine lust for life will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
