Higher Minds in Warren reopens under new ownership with same customer experience
Gina Lemmon and Joseph Pirtz are the new owners of Higher Minds, where Mahoning Valley customers can find local hand-blown glass art, pipes and accessories, plus crystals, tie-dye apparel and more.
“We’re pretty much keeping the same vibes at the store. We’re adding a little more into the electronic side. My husband wants to get in more growing equipment, and I want to get more into tarot cards and metaphysical items,” Lemmon said. “I’ve been a reader for about 20 years on and off, and I offer readings here starting at $10.”
The couple wanted to have a smooth transition of ownership for an easy shopping experience. They hosted an official reopening in April.
“We had a pretty good turnout for 4-20 and the Little Red Food Truck from Champion came out and provided us some yummy, yummy gyros,” Lemmon said.
Lemmon and Pirtz started out as customers and friends of the founders of Higher Minds, which first opened in 2014 in Warren.
Pirtz was one of the people who encouraged the original owners to open a brick and mortar shop to sell products like patchwork clothing and hemp jewelry, which became Higher Minds.
“My husband and I came up with the money and purchased the store with all the inventory in December last year,” Lemmon said. “It’s a little more than just a head shop. You can get papers, but you can get some really nice gifts here. I have some awesome tie-dyes that are made locally, plus tapestries. Candles and incense are two of my biggest sellers.”
Lemmon said one of the shop’s regulars comes in every other Friday to buy approximately one hundred sticks of incense.
“I love it,” she said. “I love being a part of the community again, since I’ve been a stay at home mom for the last 11 years.”
Higher Minds is open from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday at 4541 Mahoning Ave. in Warren.
