N J.
Yelp
I just had a horrible experience at The Alchemist's Kitchen and since that's what Yelp is for, I'm going to let loose.
So, The Alchemist's Kitchen falls under the category of "New Age" store and center. "New Age" is a term that was popular in the 80's and 90's. It's a store that explores shamanism, herbalism, natural health and similar topics. The problem with the "New Age" is that its ancient beliefs and practices that have been co-opted for the upper echelon. That's why "New Age" practitioners can charge $400 for a healing or exotic massage or whatever. There's nothing "New" about ripping people off. I became disgusted with the "New Age" after I saw that it was just the same old bullshit re-packaged, off-limits to the masses and wrapped in profit.
But I digress. My story is that I responded to a Meet-Up group that was supposed to meet here tonight for a shaman ceremony. However, I CALLED The Alchemist's Kitchen to check to see if I had a place saved, specifically because it was a part of a meet-up and I wasn't sure if the meet-up RSVP actually saved a space for me. I was asked my name and it was checked against some list. My name was not on the list so the person on the phone made an effort to get the correct spelling of my name for the list. Or at least, that's what I thought. I even said to her, "I see that it's sold out on the internet. Are you sure I'm going to be able to come?" She said "yes."
Lo and behold, I get there and I'm told that the only list is the one made up of people who have already paid. Cami or Tami, the list keeper, was adamant that there was no other list. After I explained my story, she became even more skeptical. When I showed her on my phone that I had made the call, she made a comment like, well it wasn't me because I wasn't here at that time. Then she acted like she didn't know how a meet up functioned or had even heard of one, until I asked her specifically if she knew what they were. Even after I gave her the name of the meet-up coordinator who was downstairs, she just had this attitude like I was a pain in the ass. The girl behind the counter was nicer and more sympathetic.
Honestly, though, the entire vibe was so unspiritual, that I was like, "maybe I should just leave now." I am very familiar with shamanism, having studied with Alberto Villodo, a master shaman, 16 years ago.
The store, it's motive and raison d'être just seemed so fake and so far removed from the real deal. Just gross. Especially because I just came back from LA where I lived among Mexicans who offered to give me sacred herbal recipes and tinctures FOR FREE for my mom who is ill. Yes, real people of the Earth. None of this fake shit. There are other esoteric stores in Manhattan with a better vibe. The two I can think of are Namaste Bookshop and one on Orchard Street below Delancey. Both have spiritually beautiful people behind the counter who, at the very least, give off a warm spiritual vibe of compassion, not superiority and mistrust. I'll never set foot in that store again.