The metaphysical has long had a presence in Katherine Preite’s life. Growing up, she remembers that her grandmother “did a little folk magic here and there,” and Preite would frequent an occult store in the Riverside neighborhood of East Providence.
“It used to just amaze me, all the incense, crystals and witchy stuff,” Preite recalled, “so I always wanted to have a place like that when I was older, where it was the same kind of awe, and people came in and were just curious.”
Preite made this vision a reality in June when she opened La Strega Luna Boutique at 166 Bay Spring Ave. in Barrington.
The boutique offers a variety of items associated with spiritual practices and the occult, such as herbs, divination tools, jewelry, loose-leaf teas and books, and includes items crafted by local makers. Soon, it will host area mediums providing walk-in tarot services.
Preite also plans to organize monthly events.
Through these events, and by establishing the shop as “not just a boutique but a safe space,” Preite hopes to foster a sense of community.
“I think Barrington is trying to be more inclusive, but it takes business owners and other individuals actually putting a store here and trying to make it more inclusive, and have more variety in town,” Preite said.