Evenstar’s Chalice, a metaphysical shop in downtown Ypsilanti, announced it will be closing its storefront this summer with plans to continue online.
The store has been open for seven years in its location on N. Huron St., with a separate gathering space on Packard Road that closed early May. The gathering space’s events will be moving into the Huron location until it is closed.
The shop has offered customers handmade and unique goods, many of which are from local artists and vendors. Private tarot readings and Reiki sessions were also offered at the location.
The shop’s owners, Mara Evenstar and Russ Jones, said they are not currently looking into relocating, but look forward to continuing online.
“Although we are closing the store and our community space, we are not currently planning to close our business, Evenstar’s Chalice, LLC,” the owners said in the announcement. “We are grieving and celebrating at the same time. Your continued love and support are everything.”
Evenstar said she found joy being a part of the Ypsilanti community and facilitating a space for like-minded people to come together. Evenstar Institute, a teaching and learning community started in 2020, was another way people have come together, offering free online courses. Because its launch coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has turned out to be an opportunity to create shared space despite individual times of isolation.
"It was really great to be able to have those offerings to kind of continue to weave community and for people to feel like there is a place for them," Evenstar said. "Even if we can't gather in person."
Looking forward, Evenstar will continue her spiritual work, along with running the Evenstar's Chalice online store. The shop owners also hope to continue vending at local events. She encouraged those interested to join the mailing list to stay up to date on future endeavors.
Evenstar will miss the store and the community it brought, but welcomes the changes headed her way.
"The bottom line is, too, that we want a little bit of time for just some rest," Evenstar said. "We're looking forward to a little bit of downtime."
