Faeries and magical creatures have long been a subject of fascination and wonder. Throughout history, different cultures have imagined and believed in various types of mythical beings that possess extraordinary powers and abilities. These creatures often reside in enchanted realms and play a significant role in folklore and literature. Faeries, or fairies, are one of the most well-known magical creatures. They are often depicted as small humanoid beings with wings and can either be mischievous or benevolent. In folklore, they are believed to have the ability to grant wishes or bless individuals with good fortune.

Mush Love: Plant Magic Cafe Is Much More Than a Coffee Shop

This Uptown cafe specializes in plant-based beverages, but it's also a "heart-quarters" for Denver's psychedelic activist community.

Since opening in Uptown six months ago, Plant Magic Cafe has served as a gathering place for supporters of using a certain plant for medicinal purposes. And if there was any question about which plant they’re focused on, two inflatable mushrooms on the street-side courtyard offer an answer and act as a beacon for mushroom believers.

Plant Magic is just the first step in creating a mushroom haven, which already includes a nonprofit arm,the Heart Quarters. The building itself, dubbed Discovery House, will eventually include the cafe, a bed-and-breakfast, and a holistic health and event space — all centered around the magic of mushrooms.

The historic Cranmer Sterling building, designed by architect Frank Edbrooke at 925 East 17th Avenue, formerly housed law offices. Meaghan Richmond moved to Denver from Breckenridge in search of a multi-use space to use as a retreat center, and found the 5,583-square-foot home that came pre-zoned for an accessory coffee shop. Although she'd worked as a server before, Richmond didn't have much experience in food and beverage, so she enlisted the help of cafe manager Meghan Rose and the group's chief financial officer, Taylor Amason, to open the cafe before the zoning expired and by the fall solstice, on September 22 last year.

“Our mission is to serve an experience with every cup," says Amason. "The cafe specializes in plant-based beverages like adaptogenic mushroom coffee infusions, healthy non-caffeinated teas and lattes, and ceremonial-grade cacao sourced directly from a medicine family farm in Guatemala." It also serves gluten-free and vegetarian soups and burritos, pastries, and coffee from local chain Dazbog.

When redoing the interior, the team embraced the building’s natural light, adding a quaint coffee bar and open kitchen. There is a variety of seating on the main floor, including small tables perfect for conversations or work sessions, and larger tables for meetings or board games, with additional outdoor seating and a porch swing.

The goal was to create a sensory experience. “When you walk in, you’re enchanted," Richmond notes. "The smell of incense is the first thing that activates your senses and drops you into a space that’s calming and serene."

The walls are adorned with Balinese, Oaxacan and Peruvian art that Richmond collected over years of travel. Turkish chandeliers and mushroom lamps give it an eclectic and comfortable feeling, like being inside of someone’s home. There are also goods and imports for sale, such as crystals, gems, mala beads and other handmade items.

In addition to serving coffee, “the cafe promotes education, harm reduction, conscious consumption and community engagement in the psychedelic space,” says Amason. Plant Magic was an unofficial headquarters for the supporters of Proposition 122, which called for decriminalizing the possession of psilocybin and other naturally occurring psychedelic drugs; the measure passed in the November election.

Richmond describes Plant Magic as an “interactive gateway,” offering information and resources for the healing power of plants — though it does not intend to offer psilocybin mushrooms or other decriminalized plant medicines at the cafe. “We’re deemed a ‘heart-quarters’ for the psychedelic activist community,” she adds, a term that inspired the name for the nonprofit. “Plant Magic Cafe is our public portal and access point to share about the magic of plants and open the minds and hearts of Denver." So far, about 900 people have signed the guest book and expressed interest in learning more about the movement.

Richmond began her journey with psychedelics in 2012 during a visit to Peru, but it wasn’t until a car accident and subsequent life flight in 2015 that she devoted herself to the world of plant medicine. Turning to plants to aid in her recovery “certainly helped me recalibrate and realign,” Richmond reflects. Two years ago, she co-founded an ayahuasca church, Sanctuary of the Sovereign Heart, where she leads others in the ceremonial ingestion of the South American hallucinogenic.

"The upstairs offices will be a place where Eastern and Western healing practices are bridged to house a community psychedelic resource center," Richmond notes. The offices, which will host shamanic medicine practitioners, licensed therapists and a legal and medical advisory board during the day; there are also plans for the space to function as a bed and breakfast in the future.

Plant Magic has already started hosting events, like donation-based yoga and sound bath workshops, and the nonprofit is planning a series of lectures during Mushroom March, all culminating with the grand opening of the Discovery House on April 22, Earth Day.

But in the meantime, the cafe offers a welcome, tranquil space for mush-believers and non-believers alike.

Plant Magic Cafe is located at 925 East 17th Avenue and is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. For more information, visit plantmagiccafe.com.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE. Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Danielle Krolewicz likes a good cup of coffee, a good book and a good deal — not necessarily in that order.

This Denver Coffee Shop is a Magical and Psychedelic Space

At the start of 2023, Colorado became the second state — after Oregon — to decriminalize psilocybin and psilocin. These are more commonly known as the psychedelic compounds found in so-called “magic mushrooms." Since then, people have increasingly begun to incorporate mushrooms into both their personal, and professional lives.

Denver's Plant Magic Cafe is one example of a local business that's been using the state's passing of Proposition 122 positively to its benefit. As a result, the company is flourishing more than ever before.

Prior to the decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms, the enchanting 5,583-square-foot cafe specialized in serving adaptogenic lattes, which they still currently offer. These plant-based beverages include adaptogenic mushroom coffee infusions, healthy non-caffeinated teas and lattes, and ceremonial-grade cacao sourced directly from a medicine family farm in Guatemala. The healthy lattes are made using a variety of mushrooms, including Shiitake, Lion's Mane, and Reishi. Snacks including premium-grade burritos, quiches, and pastries are also available for purchase.

In addition to featuring delicious drinks and snacks with a cozy vibe, the uptown cafe is also a trusted place to talk with others and learn more about mushrooms in all their forms.

The owners and staff at Plant Magic are well-versed on the subject of mushrooms and are now using the cafe as a Community Psychedelic Resource Center. Here, employees are happy to provide educational resources and information to the Colorado community so that people can get a better understanding of psychedelics, plant medicine, and mushrooms as a whole. Promoting conscious consumption and harm reduction are two main goals that go along with becoming the unofficial headquarters for the psychedelic activist community.

Mind, body, and soul events, such as cacao ceremonies and essential oil classes, are often hosted inside the sacred space.

Stop by Plant Magic Cafe at 925 East 17th Avenue in Denver. It's housed in the historic Cranmer Sterling building.

In folklore, they are believed to have the ability to grant wishes or bless individuals with good fortune. They are known to have a deep connection with nature and are often portrayed as guardians of the environment. Another popular magical creature is the unicorn.

Check Out Some Mushrooms Found Around Colorado

Mushrooms can be tricky to identify. There are so many factors to consider, such as the gills underneath the cap. With even a slight gill variation, it can be an entirely different mushroom

Plant Magic Cafe Halloween Party!

Unicorns are mythical creatures known for their single horn on their forehead. They are often associated with purity, grace, and beauty. In folklore, it is said that only those with a pure heart can spot a unicorn. They are highly regarded, and their horns are believed to possess healing powers. Dragons are also prominent in myths and legends. These majestic creatures are usually portrayed as giant, winged reptiles with the ability to breathe fire. They are often associated with strength, wisdom, and power. Dragons are often depicted as the guardians of treasure or as formidable foes that heroes must overcome to prove their valor. Mermaids and sirens are another type of magical creature often seen in folklore and mythology. These beings are believed to be half-human and half-fish and reside in water bodies such as seas, lakes, or rivers. They are known for their enchanting voices, which they use to lure sailors into the depths of the water. They are often depicted as beautiful and seductive beings. In addition to these well-known creatures, many other magical beings exist in various cultures around the world. These include werewolves, vampires, goblins, trolls, and many more. Each culture has its own unique interpretation of these creatures, and their characteristics can vary greatly. Overall, faeries and magical creatures have captured the human imagination for centuries. They embody our fascination with the unknown, the mystical, and the possibility of a world beyond our own. Whether seen as protectors, tricksters, or symbols of power, these creatures continue to be a source of inspiration for art, literature, and our collective imagination..

Reviews for "The Beautiful and Terrifying. Dichotomy of Faeries and Magical Creatures"

1. John - 2 stars - I honestly don't understand the hype around "Faeriez and magical crea7ures". The storyline was predictable, the characters lacked depth, and the writing felt amateurish. I found it hard to connect with any of the fantastical creatures or their world. The plot felt disjointed, and the pacing was inconsistent. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a well-crafted fantasy novel.

2. Emily - 1 star - I found "Faeriez and magical crea7ures" to be a complete waste of time. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The author's writing style felt forced and lacked elegance. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable. I had a hard time keeping track of the numerous creatures introduced throughout the book. The plot was predictable, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. I regret picking up this book and would suggest others look for a different fantasy series to read.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - Unfortunately, "Faeriez and magical crea7ures" did not live up to my expectations. The world-building was weak, and the descriptions of the magical creatures were uninspired. The protagonist was uninteresting and lacked any significant character development. The plot felt repetitive, and the conflict was resolved in a predictable manner. I was hoping for a captivating and imaginative fantasy novel, but I found myself bored and unengaged. I'm disappointed and would advise readers to explore other fantasy books that offer more depth and originality.

The Healing Powers of Magical Creatures in Folk Medicine