Supporting Pagan Businesses

My closest shop is Ancient Ways, in Oakland, CA. Many of you may know them because they sponsor Pantheacon. I like the store because it feels and smells so good inside. It’s small, creaky and a bit dark (it’s an old building), but it contains so much stuff from a lot of Pagan paths. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and many locals come in for dressed candles, so it’s become part of the community. Interestingly, although there are usually a few addicts/drunks/bums hanging out on Telegraph Avenue, they never seem to park themselves in front of Ancient Ways.
http://ancientways.com/

Mystickal Voyage is in Baltimore, and it is one of the largest stores in the country. 7,500+/- square feet. A large coffee shop, with free wifi, a Holistic Health care center with acupuncture, massage, reflexology, and more, Tarot readers, oracles, and a a large Yoga studio.

The main shop area is filled with hoodoo, candles, and Incense (naturally!) But more importantly it’s fill with Light, and bright faces.

This isn’t your Grandma’s candle shop, in an old building. It’s not dark and dusty, it’s brightly lit, and clean.

They’ve got classes on Wicca, Paganism, Reiki, and lots of things you might not expect.

I drive all the way from Delaware to shop their selection.

Check out their website! If you’re too far to drive they offer some of their massive selection online.

http://www.mystickalvoyage.com

http://www.somaluna.com carries some of the best selection of herbs, roots and resins around. They also have a large selection of hand made candles, altar items, books and well, you name it, they have it!

Shops that offer classes are a big draw for me. I don’t buy a lot of ritual items or books, but there is no substitute for learning from others.

Christians use their fish symbol to identify their businesses as Christian-owned – no matter what their specialty – so that other Christians will patronize that business.

Is their a common way for Pagan-owned businesses to identify their business as being Pagan-owned, which won’t scare away non-Pagans?

How about a lantern? Nothing bad associated with a lantern, even amongst the magically ill-informed superstitions.

As large as Houston, Texas is there are not many pagan stores to be found. I love The Magick Cauldron – http://www.magickcauldron.com/main/
The selection is wonderful, the humans friendly and the three canines that bring a certain peace to the establishment are extraordinary.

http://www.luckymojo.com while not a standard pagan business, carries many pagan supplies and caters mostly to the Hoodoo, Voodoo and Santeria pagan communities. “Cat” Yronwode, the owner, is not only a trained botanist so she knows her roots and herbs but she’s a storehouse of pagan knowledge in general but specifically the Afro-carib paganism. I’ve bought plenty of items from her as well.

My issue isn’t supporting local Pagan shops, it’s just finding them. Up until very recently, the closest shop I could find was in Havanna, AR, which is a good 2 1/2 hours away from where I live.

I don’t know how far you are from Little Rock, but Frendzco is based in LR, and if you can’t stop by, they can always ship it to you!

Well I am going to be opening mine soon and in addition to having the pagan aspect of it I will also be a massage therapist when all is said and done and school is over so I will have other services to offer

Blue Moon in Flint, MI is the only wicca, magick, pagan shop in my area. It’s not great, but it is pretty good. It is family owned and they make a lot of their own soaps, jewlery, and clothing.

My favorite is Touch of Enchantment Network. it is a small family owned business located in Boone, Iowa. It has only been open a year and in the beginning it received some negative comments because Boone is a small farm/railroad town in the Midwest and very Christian based.

Touch of Enchantment is not only a Spiritual Shop but it is also a Holistic Wellness Center. Where they provide healing and therapeutic modalities like: Massage, Reiki, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Healing Touch, Hot Stone Therapy, and also Readings: Tarot, Palm, Rune and much more…

Touch of Enchantment is a great place to come if you need to have a shoulder to cry on, ears to listen, and heart warming love and compassion for all walks of life and it smells great too and soooo relaxing and calming that you never want to leave.

So, if you are ever in the Midwest Iowa area…Come to Boone and check out Touch of Enchantment Network:) they are also on Facebook.

Merry Meet. My favorite local business is Magic Moon in Saratoga Springs. 518-583-2488 the’re on Phila St. right off of Broadway. They are very friendly and very helpful.

I love Magic Moon! They’re not local for me — Saratoga Springs is 2 hours north of where I live — but I make sure to stop there every time I visit the area.

There is a brand new pagan store in North Hollywood, CA called The Green Man Store on Lankershim Blvd. The owners are awesome, knowledgeable people and the concept that they brought when creating the store is all about the community.

Right now it is a storefront, but they are looking ahead to an online shop as well.

Keep an eye on it for upcoming events and classes.

They are also on Facebook, just search on The Green Man Store and you will find his smiling face.

Blessings

The HIgher Shelf is the best shop in my area. From incense to candles to books and a beautiful cat that roams around, it is a really great place. It’s located at 443 N.Edward St in Decatur, IL

Part of the problem with finding these stores is that it can be hard to locate them in the Yellow Pages, hard copy or online. Sometimes looking under metaphysical works; sometimes Pagan; sometimes candles; sometimes new age. Some shops that don’t have a dedicated online store will sell through eBay, and that’s another way to find the brick and mortar store.

Even if you get a referral from another Pagan, it may be their preferred shop, but it may not be what you’re looking for.

You can identify your store pretty easily with a pentacle. A local store (Cincinnati) has a small pentacle in the lower corner of the front window & a spiral in the other lower corner.
Some groups, gay, Christian, black, have business directories. There used to be a “Black Pages” around here. Dunno how many people have set up “pagan pages”.

We are here in Portland, OR & are Blessed to have the store
“Moon Shadow” I can’t tell you how long they have been open but I know that it’s at least 10. They are one of those Cozy little shops, above a Restaurant in an Old house, the floors even Creak:) They have so much here that you have to visit Many times & you can always ask Questions!

On the Outskirts of Portland in Beaverton called “Crystal Heart”
The 2 Men who own this Shop are also Wonderful & Knowledgeable. They have bought the Building & turned the Upper Level into Classrooms, & Meeting Area. On Certain weekends they hold events in which Healers, Tarot readers, etc. can come & work with others & network.
We are very Blessed to have both these shops in our Communities.

I order from Lucky Mojo, too. Their products are great. But if you’re in Manhattan, please check out Enchantments on East 9th Street between Avenues A and B in the East Village. Wonderful staff, and if they don’t have it or can’t make it (which is rare) they will steer you to someone who can help you.

There is only one store that I know of in San Antonio, TX. (If anyone knows if there is more here, please let me know.) Unlimited Thought is my store. I go there every chance I get and I love the classes that they offer. I have taken a few of the classes in previous months and found them very informative and fun. The two ladies at the front counter are always up for a good conversation, about anything really, and they give the store it’s openness and comfort-ability.

My favorite store is Angels Forever. It has so much temptation! http://www.angelsforever.com/ It’s the closest one to me. There are a few others around, but they’re to far for me to reach.

I enjoy visiting Pagan shops WHEN we have them in the area (N.Idaho), but this is rare. The last one was never open (had to make an appointment then the owner wouldn’t show up). Some that haven’t succeded have been because the “Owner” or “Staff” express their total knowledge on absolutely everything and, of course, to practice any spiritual path, it must be done their way!!

We must now rely on “on-line” stores to order nearly everything specific or make our own.

Between “Store Experts in Paganism” and prices being way to high for most items carried in the store, the outlook is grim for this area.

We can always keep our fingers crossed!!

http://www.dragonmarsh.com Dragonmarsh (Riverside, Ca) is one of the oldest single family owned shops in California. They opened in 1991 but did (and still do) renfaires & sca events before that. They have classes, events, and will help with anything you need. The shop is open, bright and has a great energy.They carry over 6000 herbs & spices. Also Teas, quality oils both magickal and aromatherpy/pharmacy grade.I love the incense blends and the candle and crystal selection. They also provide supplies for the renfair and have a reader on staff who reads to benefit the local animal shelter! The shop is huge and there is so much more than what is on the website! We need to support small stores like this or they will close. I would miss the personal service and honest anwers to questions. SUPPORT SMALL STORES!!!

My favourite witchy shop is Little Mysteries in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The staff is knowledgeable, they have classes, tarot readings, and lots of Pagan stuff – ritual tools, books, jewelry, and clothing. Oh, and my favourite: stones and crystals! I won’t buy online because I like to look at stuff firsthand before I buy and I like to support my local witchy shop. Without me and their other regular customers, they might not be there one day. They’ve been there for around 15 years. Support your local Pagan shop!

We had a Pagan store in my little town (Oneonta, NY) for many years, but the owner relocated to Florida and that was that, alas.

There is a very nice Pagan store called Avalon Moon in Delhi, NY–I believe they sell online, too.

Oh, and I actually talk about this exact issue in my upcoming book. Witchcraft on a Shoestring is all about how to follow the Pagan path without spending a lot of money, but I do make the point that if we don’t support Pagan stores and craftspeople, then we will have no place to get the supplies we want or need!

Here in San Diego– The Village Witch maintains a Pagan business directory. Valera, and her husband Alan, also have “space to rent” for various classes held there, meetings, etc., as well as have a few things for sale, a lending library, and is heavily involved with local Pagan Pride events.

My favorite shop in the Kansas City area is called Aquarius (partnered with Vulcan’s Forge). http://aquariusbooks.com/ They have great selections of books, tools, crystals/stones, jewelery, clothing & art & have many talented teachers, seers & craftsmen as well as hosting classes & spiritual events.

My favorite is the Enchanted Crystal in Running Springs, CA. The shop has been around for several years and is run by the neatest people. It’s located in the San Bernardino mountains and the shop and the area have such a great feeling to them. If you’re ever near Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead do yourself a favor and check it out.

ther are a few shops within a half hour or so. The best one is book of sadows in canton Ohio, It has every thing you would be looking for and the feel of the shop is unreal. ther are priced well and just great. We have a few shops but the others are so over priced. That is part of the problem with local shops when they mark up prices. Why would some one go to a local store to buy a item for 40$ when you can finde it online on a dozen sites for half that. Pagans neeed to support the local stores but local stores need to support the customers.

As a pagan artist, I would just like to throw my two cents in, and say that this topic should also extend to your vendors at events and conventions. These events may be the only opportunity we have to reach you. If you’re not looking for yourself then, please,the remember that we may offer a fun alternative to Wal-Mart’s selections for holidays, birthdays, etc.

In the Hamilton Ontario anada area I would recommend the White Flame Company http://www.whiteflamecompany.com/
They are a family business that has been running for over 30 years. The gentleman there is one of a small handfull of Master Chandlers in the world and his creations have been sold around the world. They make all their candles and also make bath and beauty products on site that have sold in Hamilton and at festivals around Ontario and been carried in stores in the US like several in Salem. They ship around the world and you will find a lot of items there that can not be purchased elsewhere like Sweetgrass soap and sprays and so on. They aslo carry gems and crystals, antique oil lamps and parts, and one of the family makes besoms that are really fantastic.
http://www.whiteflamecompany.com/

Due to the closing of our local shop some years back, I started my own in-home shop. After ten years of this, I now take my “store” to our local mall once a month from May to October. This gives the locals a chance to learn more and I e-mail my current customers the dates. I also post it on Facebook and my web-site. The overhead is a bit much for me to have a full-time store, especially being a Catholic community.
This seems to be working so far.
http://www.hocuspocusroom.com

With regard to the comment from Iamme, I know that sometimes small vendors charge higher prices, but that’s often because their overheads (rent, rates, delivery costs, wholesale prices, etc) are much higher than a big company who can buy in bulk or on online store with virtually none.
You do get (hopefully) friendly & knowledgable folk, plus, often, classes/spaces.
Locally (Stoke-on-Trent, UK) Pagan stores here have failed. not because it’s an area with a small Pagan population as such, but (I believe) that their range of stock was too narrow, & they might have done better with more general “new age” stuff, too, in order to pull in spiritually inclined people who aren’t necessarily Pagan.
The best shop around here did just that, & also stocked gorgeous ritual jewellery & statuary, but in closed due to the sudden tragic death of its owner about 5 years ago now.

I second http://www.dragonmarsh.com I have no shops in my area and I called the store with a question. They answered it honestly.They even suggested another place to buy some of the things I needed closer to me.I bought some oils & herbs mail order and was SO impressed with the quality!I was told herbs get a 20% discount by the pound so I will be buying herbs for holiday gift giving bundles there. They have wholesale now so I hope someone in my area will carry the products. I reccommend the Spiritual Oils they make by hand wholeheartedly!

This is a great article…and please if you are in the Central Florida area ..where is your store…?? I don’t like to order online or catalog (if one was available ) but I really like to just look and touch and examine the item..so a store is great…

Peoria, Illinois: A little shoppe: Mystic Arts, Ltd has Pagan~Wiccan~Native American articles. A wonderful Holistic Health Center, A Native American~Pagan Temple, tons of various this n’ that for your ritual n’ spells. Classes, workshops n’ gatherings year round. In business since 1993, and 2 owners. Stop by for a spell and some coffee or tea.

Pagan shops are getting harder to come by. I know in upstate NY there is a shop in Delhi, NY that has many pagan and Wiccan goods for sale. Avalon Moon is the name. They have a web site too.
There was an awesome witchcraft store in Oneonta, NY for many years named Pentacles (how fitting!), and it was the major shop for all things pagan and Wiccan in upstate NY. The owner was quite knowledgable and helped build the local Pagan community strong. I hope the community is still there and growing. The owner, who I think was tradition as well as a hereditary witch, closed the store (two actually, also Cloak & Dagger) and moved out of state due to lease issues. I think he still has a website. I wish he would bring back what was once a great store to upstate NY. But the memories will last if not. Pentacles, my favorite store EVER.

I’ve been working for Frendzco for a little over a year now, and I absolutely love them! They have everything I could ever need for ritual, spells, and/or gifts. And if they don’t have it, they can find out how to get it! Plus, they ship worldwide and offer discounts on orders over $100. Awesome <3

I guess I’m lucky. We have 3 awesome pagan stores in our area: Ostara and Magical Earthkeepers in Bethlehem, PA, and All thing Magical and Mystical in Allentown.

Plus, there are two or three that are only 45 minutes away toward the Poconos.

I live in the Indianapolis, IN, area, and unfortunately there are no specifically Pagan/Wiccan shops in the area (or if there are, I am unaware of them). There is a little “new age” shop called Mind, Body, Soul that is decent, but doesn’t carry specifically Pagan and Wiccan goodies like cauldrons and pentagram incence burners. I also have a problem, since I cannot drive, so I order all of my stuff from AzureGreen’s website. They have a large selection and I found them through the About Paganism/Wicca website.

I go to Earth Lore in Plymouth, MI. They are lucky enough to have 2 locations, the other being in Livonia. Otherwise it is a 1.5 hour hike into Pontiac to Crystal treasures. Earth Lore is my favorite though because they have a large variety of everything you could possibly want, are reasonably priced, and they are always getting new items in. It’s never the same experience twice!

There are a couple great shops in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL. I volunteer at Kindred Spirits in Oswego, IL. They have a great little giftshop that showcases items from local artists and you can’t beat their prices for stones, crystals, & such. They also have an in house liscensed massage therapist, an aromatherapist, a hypnotherapist, an artist, and all of these people have different metaphysical practices as well ranging from Runda 3 to Usui Reiki & Celtic Reiki to Soul Portraits. They also have a large range of classes that are constantly being updated. You can find them at http://www.kindredspiritsevents.com.

The other shop that I frequent is Styx & Stonz. Great shop, tons of books & supplies, and a really great atmosphere.