‘Changing the space': New St. Clair business hopes to become a community hub
If you've noticed a change in energy while passing through St. Clair, you're not imagining things.
A mystical, explorative new shop has hit the zero block of South Second Street, and welcomes folks to mingle with the esoteric and spiritual.
Wild Acolytes, owned and operated by Jess Ivey, opened in early June and offers something for everyone. From crystals, to second-hand clothes, to books, this multifaceted storefront is exactly the type of place Ivey believes downtown St. Clair has been needing.
"We're changing the space … we don't want to be the spot where you go because you need a shirt," Ivey said. "I want to carry some really cool stuff."
Not only is Ivey the owner and operator of Wild Acolytes, but she is its sole employee. Since opening, her time has been absorbed by projects to decorate and spruce up the space, including painting the store's interior a moody, natural green. Luckily, she says the hard work aligns well with her passions.
A close friend formerly owned and operated a consignment store at the 2 S. 2nd St. location for about 20 years. When it came time for her to retire, Ivey decided to step in and give the storefront a second life.
Ivey's version of the shop carries on the tradition of consignment, but brings many other offerings to the table, too. As someone deeply in tune with her spiritual side, metaphysical vibes are front-and-center at Wild Acolytes.
For example, Ivey envisions one of the shop's currently in-transition nooks as a future tarot reading space. She has practiced divination ever since her teen years, and says customers will be able to book sessions to have their own cards read before and after the store's business hours.
She also offers spellwork sessions, where she says the application of herbs and crystals is used to help guide folks through their problems.
Wild Acolytes sells a large variety of crystals, provided by Dellakit Crystal Company, including rose quartz, tiger's eye and everything in between. Another vendor sells handmade, accessibility-driven jewelry featuring crystals and uranium beads that glow under a black light.
Esoterica is even incorporated into the shop's operations. Wild Acolytes' business hours are not random - they imitate angel numbers. The shop is open from 1:11 to 4:44 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11:11 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. on Saturdays.
That said, Wild Acolytes is open to customers any time the lantern outside the door is lit.
But the storefront is just as much a divination station as it is a consignment shop, selling clothes, furniture and an ever-growing array of books.
In the far back of the store, patrons delve into a cozy cave where fabrics drape the wall and warm lighting brightens the room. This area is named the Ruined Temple Press, offering a solid variety of used books, including young adult novels, children's' books and fantasy stories.
Later this year, Ivey hopes to self-publish a series of short stories under Ruined Temple Press that she is currently working on.
Anybody is welcome to stop by the storefront with items they are hoping to consign. Ivey said she is currently most interested in receiving men's clothing, children's clothing and niche and unusual furniture items.
"If you just cleaned out Grandma's attic, and you don't know what to do with it, please let us know," Ivey said.
But ultimately, Ivey wants to see Wild Acolytes transform into a place for more than just buying and selling. Though she is still brainstorming how it will manifest at Wild Acolytes, Ivey said she would love to see the space used for the community to gather.
"I want it to be a community hub, which is something I think we're lacking a lot of these days," Ivey said.
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