Megan Toomey said that she never considered opening a crystal store, but even with the pandemic’s timing and businesses shuttering, that’s exactly what she has done.
Toomey owns Meta Crystal Shop — where she sells crystals, stones and jewelry, along with incense that she said is believed to clear negative energy and restore calm.
One of these incense — Palo Santo — comes from South American trees and has been used since Incan times, and Toomey said is considered “Holy wood” for its restorative qualities.
Toomey also offers tarot and oracle cards that help provide insight into customer’s lives to help them situationally. Though she was previously hosting a weekly “Tarot Tuesday” via Facebook Live, she now plans to offer them as recorded sessions to share on her page on Tuesdays.
“I hope to eventually have in-person groups to share general information about the products and ideas for using them,” she said.
Until then, she plans to use social media platforms to share, along with her YouTube channel.
The idea for these groups — which Toomey calls empowerment groups — began when she was a co-owner of the local coffee shop The Spot. There, community members would come to the group meeting and share purposeful living goals.
“It was a place to share how we were growing into who we want to be,” she said. “I am hoping to not be forced to do it online.”
The Spot also offered artists the opportunity to sell some of their products, and it was during this time that a jewelry artist brought in some tumbled rocks and crystals that piqued Toomey’s interest in learning more about their restorative properties.
“I started researching and saying ‘I need that, I want that,’ and it took off,” she said. “I didn’t see that coming.”
Having the tools to motivate and inspire customers is why Toomey decided that now was the time to open a storefront with her products, and she hopes that her continued research and desire to add more meditative items — including candles — to her store is something her already-busy store and its customers want.
“I’ve been busy enough with customers, and it’s pretty steady,” she said.
However, she also hopes that after the pandemic, she can have a mobile store that she can take to festivals and host pop-ups.
“I’m new to the culture, but I am having fun doing it,” she said.
Meta Crystal Shop is located at 501 Saint Ann Street.
