Simply Vibes Apothecary, a Black-woman-owned herbal store, has opened at 3550 North Davidson Street.
Owner Destinee Sanderson said the store offers a unique blend of holistic remedies and spiritual products. She described her shop as a place for people of all backgrounds and beliefs to explore their spirituality without judgment.
Customers can find everything from health tinctures, jewelry and create-your-own tea bundles to apparel, crystals and more.
Defining spirituality
The apothecary aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for individuals to explore a variety of spiritual practices and traditions that Sanderson said date back to “the ancestors.”
“Spirituality is what you decide it is. The way I practice or live in my spirituality may not be the way someone else does, but that doesn’t mean my way is better or that their way is wrong,” Sanderson told QCity Metro.
Sanderson, who said her spirituality is influenced by her mother’s Cuban heritage and her experiences growing up in church, emphasized that although her apothecary is spiritually led, it is not tied to any one religion or belief system.
“I welcome everyone: Christian, not Christian, whoever. I grew up in church and I grew up in spirituality, so I understand people’s perspective. I understand why people might be [hesitant] to explore their spirituality or try new herbal remedies or come to a place like this because they’re taught it’s demonic. But not here. It’s God all over me, baby, and all up and through here,” she said.
Inside the shop
The apothecary’s shelves are lined with various products, including teas, herbs, tinctures, crystals, incense and more.
Sanderson said the items at Simply Vibes Apothecary are carefully sourced to ensure their holistic properties and spiritual significance.
“When I started out on my spiritual journey, I would go to shops and want to buy stuff, but I couldn’t [verify] where [the items] came from,” she told QCity Metro. “So I started making things myself because source and energy [are] so important. … I can’t even be having a bad day or have an attitude when I make stuff because that energy can be transferred.”
Sanderson said the products can be used for “all kinds of things,” from health needs to home essentials and spiritual practices.
“Some of the herbs can be smoked or put into teas or used in practice, but different herbs are used for different things,” she said. “Spiritually, they can be used for protection or love or abundance, all kinds of stuff.”
One herb, rosebud, can be smoked or steeped in tea. According to a sign inside the shop, the herb is believed to help create “mental clarity” and lessen anxiety when smoked. When used as a tea, it is believed to support digestion and women’s help.
In spiritual practice, rose buds are often used to enhance fertility and love.
The store also has a section filled with crystals, along with descriptions of their spiritual uses. One crystal, green averturine, is often used for abundance, according to a sign in the store.
Prices range from $5 – $15 per crystal.
One unique feature of Simply Vibes Apoethcary is its business spotlight section, which Snaderson said highlights a different local business each month. The opportunity allows small businesses to showcase their products in a retail setting.
Sanderson said she believes in supporting other entrepreneurs in the community and sees the business spotlight section as an opportunity to do so.
“I don’t just want to have a store, I really want to be part of the community,” she said.
She said she plans to host events and opportunities for people to learn about the products and their holistic uses from a spiritual perspective as well as and health perspective.
“You don’t have to come here solely for spiritual practice. You can come here for health needs, for home needs, or just to check it out.”