I often get emails from people who are interested in opening a Pagan business. While it may seem like a great idea -- and honestly, in our dreams, we all wander into little dusty shops that look like something out of Diagon Alley -- opening a Pagan shop or other type of business has its own unique set of issues. Does your town's Pagan community support local shops, or does everyone order online? Are there already five little Ye Olde Magick Shoppes in your city? What is going to make your store special and unique, so that people will come to you instead of going to see the other guy? For some tips and important issues to keep in mind, read Opening a Pagan Shop.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
I am not personally opening a business nor plan to but have spoken once to a lady who has opened one in a town about 45 min west of me. I asked her about how she was treated and how difficult it was to have such a business in a mostly christian based area we live here in Oklahoma. She said at first it was a bit awkward but later on they got to know her and her business and the local police even treat her very well. Also there are other stores that moved in next to her that also were welcomed. One which is a tattoo artist and a buddhist hindu outlet. So it may take time depending on the size of town one lives in and how tollerant they are there. I feel smaller fundamental towns would not be so gladly welcome however.. But who knows . I see a christian store here and it has many pagan type things a person can purchase for there rituals as well..
The Pagan store in town did not get its lease renewed due to the landlord’s disapproval of Paganism. Many states are extremely lax on religious discrimination cases, especially when it involves (mercy!) a outwardly Pagan business.
A quick comment. my family has been running a store for over 21 years and one thing we have told others is make sure you are COMPLETELY compliant with any laws, permits or codes in your area. They may let the local bakery have a sign advertising a sale for over 30 days but if we have one 1 hour past 30 – we will get a ticket ($$$). The first few years it seemed we had an inspector instore every week for something (fire, tax, building, safety, and more). We would pass but it was a pain. Eventually they realized we were a solid business and now we have law officers asking for help and visiting.
For a funny- when asked for gifts for raffles and community fundrasiers- always give a gift certificate. Many times they are never redeemed! HA!
My girlfriend has always wanted to have store, but due to the initial expenses and potential for failure has never actually tried to do it. A couple of years ago I had an idea – go to some of the local fairs and festivals to see how well people would react to having a vendor like us in their midst.
With our dragons and witches and fairies (figurines) and incense and crystals out in full view, there are lot of people that pass by our booth, look at us like we are strange, or walk past without even acknowledging us. But many more stop in and browse, chat with us and buy. We have learned what sells and what doesn’t, what price points work and which ones are too high (or too low) and most importantly where we do best in the area we cover (basically all of Long Island). That is a lot of helpful information for a new business to have – and it is our experience that tells us these things, not some demographic study.
For the cost of a canopy, some tables and tablecloths, and the items we sell, we have found several suitable locations, homed in on the items we want to carry and started making a profit inside of 2 years. If we had been in a bricks and mortar location we would still be struggling to make ends meet, and wondering what to do next.
If you want to sell Pagan goods or services, in addition to all of the information Patti has put forth, consider becoming a mobile vendor first. If it doesn’t work out you have not lost a lot of money, and if it does work then you may just find yourself in a place you never even considered as a “prime location”!
Wow! I could probably write a novel on this subject. I’ve owned a pagan shop for over 5 years now and I’ve loved every minute of it. For the most part, the people around me have been very supportive and friendly, no matter what their religious or spiritual affiliation. Since my store is in a flea market, it is perused by all manner of individuals, so I get to hear all sorts of interesting comments on occasion. I often take these occasions to engage the passers-by in conversation and have intellectual conversations with them.
I have had many of them leave much more enlighten!! The ones I really don’t agree with are the ‘Bible thumpers’ who think I need to be saved, so they drop their literature on my shelves or counter for my customers or me to find – they can’t even stop and talk to me face-to-face, they just drop and run, it’s like they are afraid of me or something. Otherwise, I have all walks of life come into my shop to support their spiritual needs and I really enjoy talking to my customers and getting to know them. We have a very big pagan community in my area and there are many organized events for pagans in my area. I find that there are those that know about the pagan community and events, but there are many more solitaires that never knew there was a huge community in their area and I use my shop to help spread the word that there is support out there for those who want it and help them find it. I am here for the community, that is why I have my shop and the community is why I enjoy my job.