KINGSTON TWP. —What patrons will find inside the Silver Broomstick is more than an entrepreneurial couple selling their wares — one may find an educational experience, a shoulder to lean on and possibly a new friend.
The Silver Broomstick, a Metaphysical Shoppe and Spiritual Centre, located at 127 N. Main St. in Shavertown, isn’t brand new to the community.
The business first flew into the Back Mountain nearly two years ago when Kris and Bill Brennan opened the niche shop at 24 Lake St. in Dallas.
The shop was nothing like other stores. It did carry a variety of locally made items, such as hand painted wine glasses and homemade facial scrubs, but mixed in were herbs, candles, wands, clothing, jewelry, pentagrams, crystals, Tarot cards, Runes stones and Deadly Grounds Coffee.
The Silver Broomstick is not typical “gift shop,” but a “witch shop,” according to Kris.
“I knew it was a crap-shoot,” Kris said about opening the unique business. “But after the first few months, we broke even.
“It (The Silver Broomstick) is better than I ever dreamed.”
After stirring up public interest with a simple white sign featuring an old-fashioned handmade wooden broom, the couple’s landlord passed away, and the inheriting family members chose to sell the building.
Kris and Bill had to seek out a new storefront and found a perfect match at their current space in Shavertown. The building formerly was a dog grooming business, Kris said.
The couple opened the new location in September and are preparing a month-long celebration of their second business anniversary on Halloween with a variety of events scheduled.
The Brennans attribute the success of their business to a desire to educate the public on what Pagan, or commonly known as witchcraft or Old Religion, beliefs are and aren’t.
A common misconception the couple gets from time to time is that Pagans worship the devil.
“There is no devil in Witchcraft,” Bill said. “That (the devil) is a Christian belief.”
The couple organized and held classes such as Intro and Intermediate Guide to Practical Magic to help educate the public and solitary practicing witches.
Their efforts led the Brennans to the discovery that there are many solitary practicing witches in the region with no place to go to learn and hone their craft.
“There are no other true shops like this,” Bill said.
Kris said other shops are far away such as in Jim Thorpe and New Hope.
“None offer the services we offer,” she said.
Some other services provided by The Silver Broomstick are Tarot, Rune and Pendulum Aura readings to name a few, as well as Reiki and meditation.
The business has also become a portal for the public to come and talk.
Kris and Bill have taken the time to sit and listen to several customers talk about a personal problem.
“If we can offer help, we do,” Kris said.
She admits sometimes offering help means knowing when the issue is outside of their realm and providing the client a list of medical professionals or local counselors to assist them.
