The autumn rain falls, casting a silent spell over the city of Riverside. Everything feels quieter as people avoid the streets, keeping dry. But here, in the heart of downtown, is a cozy shop that pulls you in with its protective warmth. From the very moment you step through the door, especially on a rainy October day, you are met with the immediate comforting scent of cinnamon.
Yet, even with the various scents of the shop’s merchandise, the air isn’t discordant. A display decorated for the spooky season greets you, with pumpkin spice candles for Samhain (the Celtic festival that inspired Halloween) and calendars that track the moon’s cycles.
Welcome to the DragonMarsh Apothecary & Teas.
Starting as a small booth at the Las Vegas Renaissance Faire, DragonMarsh Apothecary & Teas has resided at its brick-and-mortar location in downtown Riverside for over 29 years. This mystical shop opens its doors Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., except for Fridays and Saturdays when they open one hour later. The staff are as kind and welcoming as the store’s atmosphere, pulling you into good conversation and providing you with any information you need about what they sell in their store. If you’re lucky, the store’s cat, Pepper, will come up to say hello, taking time out of her full day of patrolling the store like a dragon guarding her hoard.
This longstanding hidden gem sells a multitude of witchy and spiritual goods, with each wall holding many products for your mythical and magical desires. From herbs and spices to essential oils and tarot cards, DragonMarsh sells mystical objects of all shapes and sizes. . Three showstoppers, at least for this writer, were the store’s crystals, loose-leaf teas and handmade candles.
Glimmering along the side of the shop, your body naturally follows the flow of the store to the walls of crystals. This corner of the shop is lined with crystals from top to bottom, with each crystal varying in size and shape and color. . Helpful placards that rest on each jar speak of each crystal’s benefits: amethysts for courage and citrine for clarity. Near the back of the store are tantalizing flavors – perfect gifts for the tea-lovers in your life. Taste profiles of chocolate chai to dragon moon tea ensure you will never grow bored of the DragonMarsh’s offerings.
The pièce de résistance was the near hidden vault of the Apothecary’s handmade candles. Not only do these scented candles grace the tall shelves in an impressive wall, but the shop’s very own specialty, the empowered candles, stand as solid protectors against the harm of the world. These empowered candles are built with love and maybe a touch of magic, serving a variety of purposes: manifesting for jobs, promoting health and healing, and even special “WTF” candles for protection against the crazy world that is the present. It was pure joy looking through each purpose and scent, feeling the care the shop had put into each candle.
So, if you ever want cover from the rain or a nice building with good people and good conversation, make sure to visit DragonMarsh Apothecary & Teas in Downtown Riverside. May you find magic and good tidings. And if you are not able to visit their physical shop but still wish to support this small business, they offer deliveries through their website.
