Not the News I Was Expecting to Share

This spring, after a challenging attempt to revive my farm operation — complete with a few hard lessons and a big crop loss — I decided it was time to pivot and open an apothecary shop here in town.

I looked at a couple of possible locations, but options are limited in our little community. Then I found one that felt absolutely right — perfect location, just the right size, affordable rent, and a landlord willing to roll the renovation costs into the lease. Everything seemed to be falling into place.

Then… delays. Weeks stretched into months, with small updates but no real progress. My Mabon opening date slipped by, and then my new goal of Samhain. Still, I stayed hopeful — and even after a meeting that ended with, “I’m excited to work with you,” I believed we were on track.

But when new management came on board in October, things changed. After reviewing my plans, they told me that the landlord had decided to convert the space into a residential unit instead.

• It took a few days for that to sink in. I had already started sourcing inventory, fixtures, and event plans. I had lighting picked out, paint colors chosen — even the scent I wanted people to experience when they walked in the door.

Once I caught my breath, I sat down with myself and asked the hard question: what now? Do I try for the other available property in town (which feels far less suited), or do I create something right here on the farm?

In the end, I chose to move forward with what’s in front of me. The old carriage house and attached barn have been waiting for new life — and while it’s not perfect, it’s ours. We’d already started work there over a year ago, so it makes sense to keep going and finish it out as a proper shop, at least for now.

So yes — I’m opening a bricks-and-mortar apothecary, right here at home. It won’t have the foot traffic or polish of the downtown space, but it will have heart. And I’ve seen people create beautiful things with far less.

Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement through this whole journey. Here’s to making something magical right where we stand. Let’s see what we can build together.

Featured Photo:  Milkweed wishes — reminders that what drifts away may still seed new beginnings. Sometimes dreams take root in unexpected soil.