A shop selling crystals, tarot decks, and hand-poured intention candles now lives inside an old church. Yes, an actual church, with the bones of the building still on full display.
The shelves hold body oils, smudge sprays, loose incense, and books. There’s even an apothecary station where herbs get mixed right in the store.
I love that this corner of New Jersey asks you to browse candles beneath a ceiling built for hymns. It feels part museum, part gift shop, and part community living room.
Readings and workshops fill the calendar too.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to wander in and poke around for an afternoon. So what happens when a place built for quiet reflection starts selling moon rituals and roller oils?
A Metaphysical Shop With a Steeple-Sized Surprise
Houss Freya Apothecary sits on Glenridge Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey, inside a building that clearly started life as a church. The shop now fills that space with crystals, candles, tarot cards, and handmade body care.
Officially, it’s a metaphysical supply store. Practically, it’s a place where spirituality, shopping, and community overlap in one dramatic room.
That combination is what makes the stop so easy to talk about. Plenty of towns have a crystal shop, but few have one where the architecture steals the show before you even reach a shelf.
The shop also isn’t brand new to the area. Longtime fans describe following it for five or six years, calling the current location a fitting expansion of the space they already loved.
Houss Freya welcomes people from all backgrounds and experience levels. Curious beginners, seasoned practitioners, and gift shoppers all share the same aisles here.
Think of it as a shop first, a gathering spot second, and a conversation starter always. That mix gives the whole place its personality.
Once you know what’s inside, driving past without a peek gets a lot harder.
Old Church Walls, New Purpose
Few retail spaces get to borrow history this grand. The building on Glenridge Avenue is a renovated church that has stood in Upper Montclair for generations.
That longevity shows. The structure gives the store a sense of weight and calm that a strip-mall storefront simply can’t fake.
Inside, the look leans gothic and a bit medieval. Shoppers often compare the interior to a museum, with striking artwork and carefully staged displays at every turn.
I like how the renovation keeps the church feeling present rather than hiding it. The setting turns a quick errand into something closer to a small adventure.
There’s also a nice symmetry here. A building designed for reflection and gathering still serves people looking for meaning and connection, just in a different way.
Some fans even call the shop their second church, which says a lot about the mood. It’s welcoming to people of many faiths and practices.
For New Jersey readers who love striking historic architecture, this is a rewarding find. You get a slice of local building history alongside your incense shopping.
Not a bad trade for one parking spot.
Candles Poured With a Purpose
Candles are the star of the inventory, no contest. They come up more than any other product when people talk about Houss Freya.
Many of these are intention candles, handcrafted with a specific goal in mind. Think manifesting, protection, or clearing out stale energy, depending on what you’re after.
The appeal is partly practical and partly personal. You’re not just grabbing a scent for the living room, you’re choosing a small ritual to bring home.
Fans describe the candles as carefully made, and the handcrafted detail keeps people coming back regularly. Some even plan return trips mostly to restock.
Shower melts sit nearby for anyone who prefers a ritual that fits into a morning routine. It’s a clever twist on the same idea.
If you’re new to intention candles, ask the staff for guidance. Team members are known for being friendly and knowledgeable, and they’re happy to explain what each one is meant for.
Candles also make an easy gift for a curious friend. Wrapped up, one looks lovely, and the story behind it does the rest of the talking.
Where Herbs Get Mixed on the Spot
Here’s the part that earns the word apothecary in the name. The shop has an apothecary station for mixing herbs, and many products are made in-house.
Balms, soaps, and oils all come out of that hands-on approach. Body oils and roller oils are especially popular picks.
Then there’s the bath and body lineup. Intention body washes, smudge sprays, and a scented perfume called Baby Witch all have devoted fans.
A spray named Sacred Space gets special love from regular shoppers. So does a product called Aura Armor, which one fan wished came in a much bigger size.
Limpiezas, or cleansing products, are also on offer. They reflect the shop’s roots in curandera traditions, which add depth to the whole collection.
Loose incense is another sleeper hit. Staff recommendations have turned more than one shopper into a regular evening incense burner.
What I appreciate most is the range. You can walk out with a tiny roller bottle or a full bath ritual kit, at a variety of price points.
Either way, it feels personal rather than mass-produced.
Crystals, Tarot Decks, and Treasures for the Shelf
Crystal hunters, rejoice. The shelves carry plenty of beautiful stones alongside the shop’s handmade goods.
Tarot cards are another big draw. The card selection impresses even casual visitors, and some leave with a fresh deck as a souvenir.
Jewelry shows up often too, giving the shop a boutique feel. Pieces range from mystical to simply pretty, so they work for gifting.
Books fill out the spiritual side of the shelves. Beginners can find a starting point, while more experienced readers can keep building their libraries.
You’ll also spot clothing and greeting cards, which surprises some first-timers. It’s a handy place to grab a thoughtful card with a little extra character.
Around Halloween, the store becomes a fun hunting ground for decorations. The rest of the year, ritual supplies take center stage.
Everything is organized thoughtfully, which makes browsing a pleasure rather than a scavenger hunt. Even if you arrive knowing nothing about metaphysical arts, you’ll find something that catches your eye.
Fair warning, a quick look can easily stretch into a long, happy wander.
Readings With Real Booking Power
Curious about your birth chart? Houss Freya offers readings, and the menu goes well beyond a quick card pull.
Tarot, birth-chart, and astral cartography readings are all available. Mediumship and aura readings appear on the roster too.
A reader known as Astro Papi has built a loyal following. Clients praise his insight and his honest, direct style.
Pricing for readings varies. It depends on the type of reading and which reader you choose, so ask the staff before you book.
The shop also brings in Reiki healers, adding another layer for anyone exploring energy work. It’s a lot of options under one roof.
Some fans travel two hours just for sessions here. That kind of commitment says plenty about the experience the readers provide.
If you’ve never had a reading, this setting makes a gentle first try. The staff is welcoming, and nobody expects you to arrive as an expert.
Treat it as an open-minded experiment. Whether you leave with answers or simply a good story, the church backdrop makes it memorable.
Moon Gatherings, Cacao Ceremonies, and a Busy Calendar
Workshops might be the shop’s secret weapon. They come up constantly, and the calendar stays packed with monthly happenings.
Offerings have included Intro to Mediumship classes and an Automatic Writing workshop that opened with a guided meditation. A six-hour Reiki certification has run on a Saturday too.
Cacao ceremonies appear on the schedule as well. So do gatherings tied to moon cycles and the changing seasons.
That seasonal rhythm gives regulars a reason to keep coming back. Every visit can line up with something new happening in the space.
The events also give the store a strong community feel. Plenty of attendees describe it as a third place, somewhere between home and work.
Newcomers to Montclair might find it a great way to meet people. It connects shoppers with a wider local wellness scene.
Instagram is the go-to spot for upcoming workshops, so check there before planning a trip. Popular events can sneak up on you.
Honestly, it’s tough to imagine a more atmospheric classroom. Learning something new under those old church rafters feels fitting.
Warm Welcomes for Witches, Mystics, and the Merely Curious
Owner Daysi sets the tone, and fans describe her as radiant and colorful. Her team of curanderas and staff carry that same welcoming spirit.
Friendliness is the most common theme in what people share about the shop. Staff members are known for being kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful.
That matters for beginners especially. Walking into a metaphysical store can feel intimidating, but here questions seem welcome.
The audience is wonderfully mixed. Practicing witches, spiritualists, and even a mystic Christian count themselves among the regulars.
Families visit too, sometimes just to show relatives the breathtaking space. Gift shoppers come for something unusual and leave with a bag full.
The vibe stays calm, inviting, and comforting rather than spooky. Even the gothic decor reads more enchanting than eerie.
So who will love it most? Anyone with an open mind, a fondness for beautiful buildings, or a friend’s birthday coming up.
Skeptics might still enjoy the architecture and the candles. Some places only suit one crowd, but this one casts a wide, friendly net across New Jersey.
Plan Your Stop, Then Linger a While
Mondays are off-limits, so plan around that. Houss Freya Apothecary is closed Mondays and open the rest of the week.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday hours run 10 AM to 6 PM. Thursday shifts later, from noon to 8 PM, which suits after-work browsers.
Friday stretches from 10 AM to 7 PM. Sunday runs 10 AM to 5 PM, perfect for a relaxed weekend wander.
You’ll find the shop at 205 Glenridge Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042. It sits within easy reach of the greater Bloomfield and Oranges area too.
Make a mini outing of it. Dollymoo, a bath bomb shop just down the street, pairs nicely with an apothecary haul.
Prices span a wide range, so a small treat or a bigger splurge both fit. Readings vary by reader and type.
My verdict? It’s a gorgeous old church with a busy, welcoming new life, and that alone earns the trip.
Add handmade candles and moon gatherings, and this New Jersey stop becomes hard to forget. Bring curiosity and a little extra bag space.
Share this story
