There is a store near me that sells witch brooms. Yes, you read that right, witch brooms. It is an interesting store that specializes in all things related to witches and the occult. And one of their most unique offerings are these handcrafted brooms. The store itself has an intriguing and mysterious ambiance. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by a variety of items that would excite any paranormal enthusiast.
“It’s very much the way they were made 150 years ago,” Scheumack says. It’s the besom brooms that are featured in the movies. Scheumack says the brooms seen in Hogwarts from Harry Potter are made by his company.
So, whenever you sit down to watch Hocus Pocus 2 or the Harry Potter movies, keep an eye out for some local, old-time brooms made in a small shop in Eugene called Scheumack Broom Company. Among other items, I bought two amazing smelling candles - Hearth notes of orange spice, fir and pine smoke to replicate the wood smoke from a warm fire and The Witches notes of smoke, vetiver, and spruce.
As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by a variety of items that would excite any paranormal enthusiast. Crystals, tarot cards, spell books - you name it, they have it. But what truly sets this store apart are the witch brooms that hang on display.
Witch’s Brooms, Kitchen Brooms, Oh My
The brooms at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies? That’s a Scheumack broom. The walking sticks Gandalf uses in The Lord of the Rings movies? Those are from Scheumack.
And that broom that Bette Midler flies on in Hocus Pocus 2? You better believe that’s a Scheumack broom as well.
These brooms all come from a little old shop in Eugene. Scheumack Broom Company makes several kinds of brooms, ranging from kitchen brooms to witch’s brooms, and they have been featured in several well-known movies.
The company is the brainchild of Thurman Scheumack, who founded the business in 1981. “The business started in Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains,” says Scheumack, 72. He previously worked with a historical center called the Ozark Folk Center, back when Bill Clinton was governor. Clinton started a program that would help Scheumack find his passion for making brooms.
“He gave out grants to younger people to go live with the old timers before it disappeared, and he gave me one of those grants,” Scheumack says. “So, I lived up there and studied knifemaking, blacksmithing, broom making, woodcarving, all these different things.”
Initially, Scheumack didn’t do this to make money. That all changed with his injury, though. “I got into a motorcycle accident, and my neck was broken in six places,” Scheumack says.
After this, Scheumack began thinking: What could he do to provide for his four children? He eventually decided that broom designing would be his career. “After I got out of the hospital, I really just centered on making the brooms,” he says.
Scheumack’s brooms are created in a traditional way, with several types designed for different uses. These include brooms for fireplaces, kitchen brooms and besom brooms, commonly known as witch’s brooms. Besom brooms are sewn rounder and are more aerodynamic than other types of brooms, including shaker brooms, which are sewn more flat.
Some of the brooms even have face carvings on them. Several of the tools used to make the brooms have parts from the 1870s, with one bench vise made in 1878. The wood is local, with sticks coming from the Brownsville area just north of Eugene. The wood used is mostly maple and cherry.
“It’s very much the way they were made 150 years ago,” Scheumack says. It’s the besom brooms that are featured in the movies. Scheumack says the brooms seen in Hogwarts from Harry Potter are made by his company.
In addition to the Harry Potter series, Scheumack’s brooms, sticks and carvings have been featured in several other movies. The wood sculpture carvings in the ships from the Pirates of the Caribbean are his. One episode of The Office has featured a Scheumack broom as well. Most recently, they have appeared in Hocus Pocus 2, released on Sept. 30.
By the time Hocus Pocus 2 came out this fall, Scheumack’s brooms were well-established. “Once you’re in that kind of circuit, we get referred to a lot,” Scheumack says. He added that his brooms have been featured in several Renaissance fairs, which are known to the movie industry as great places to find these types of crafts.
The movie industry is not the only primary source buying Scheumack brooms. In fact, he says, 50 percent of his wholesale customers are from witchcraft stores and metaphysical stores, which sell new age items.
In 1997, Scheumack decided to move his business to Eugene, largely because of a popular event a few miles west. “The main reason we moved here was because of the Oregon Country Fair,” he says. “It’s quite a change from the Ozark Mountains.” He has been selling his brooms every year at the fair since 1991, and people can buy his brooms there.
Today, Scheumack and his employees, four full-time and two part-time, can be found working on their brooms in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. The old, rustic nature of the shop is the perfect atmosphere for the types of brooms they make.
One worker, 29-year-old Waldo Przekop, says he enjoys the traditional and old-time style of the brooms he helps make.
“Making the brooms, that’s a cool part,” Przekop says. “I think that it’s something that I would be sad to see it go, as far as old-timey natural art jobs.”
So, whenever you sit down to watch Hocus Pocus 2 or the Harry Potter movies, keep an eye out for some local, old-time brooms made in a small shop in Eugene called Scheumack Broom Company.
Information on Scheumack Broom Company can be found at BroomMagic.com. They can also be contacted at 541-338-0502 and [email protected].
Among other items, I bought two amazing smelling candles - Hearth (notes of orange spice, fir and pine smoke to replicate the wood smoke from a warm fire) and The Witches (notes of smoke, vetiver, and spruce).
These brooms are not your ordinary brooms that you use for sweeping the floor. They are exquisite works of art. Each broom is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans who pay attention to even the tiniest of details. The handles are made from various types of wood, each with its own meaning and association in witchcraft. The bristles are made from different materials such as natural fibers, feathers, or even metal wires. What I find fascinating about these brooms is their history and significance in witchcraft. Brooms have long been associated with witches, said to be used as a mode of transportation for witches during their nocturnal flights. They were also used as tools for creating protective circles and dispelling negative energy. And while modern witches may not use brooms for flying or spellcasting, they still hold a special place in their practices. The store owner, a knowledgeable and friendly witch herself, is always willing to share her wisdom about brooms and their significance. She explains how each broom is made with intention and purpose, and how they can be used as a focal point for meditation, manifestation, or even as decorative pieces for the home. If you are curious or have an interest in witchcraft, I highly recommend visiting this store and checking out their collection of witch brooms. They may not be your typical household item, but they are an intriguing reminder of the mystical world that exists just beyond our reach. **So, next time you find yourself in need of a unique and magical item, consider paying a visit to the store with witch brooms in my vicinity.**.
Reviews for "Up Your Witch Game with Brooms from Stores in Your Area"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The idea of a store with witch brooms in my vicinity sounded intriguing at first, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat. The brooms were poorly made and overpriced. I was expecting high-quality crafted brooms, but instead, they looked like they were mass-produced and lacking in any attention to detail. Additionally, the staff was not knowledgeable about the brooms' history or the materials used. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I had high hopes for the store with witch brooms, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The selection was limited and unimpressive. Most of the brooms looked shabby and old, not in a charming antique way but in a neglected and worn-out manner. The prices were outrageous for the quality of the products. Additionally, the person at the counter was uninterested and not helpful at all. I was expecting a magical and enchanting experience, but all I got was a waste of time and money.
3. David - 2/5 stars - The concept of a store dedicated to witch brooms sounded intriguing, but the reality was far from magical. The store was disorganized and cluttered, making it difficult to navigate and explore. The brooms on display were dusty and unkempt, giving the impression of a neglected shop. The prices were exorbitant for what they offered, and I couldn't justify spending so much money on poorly made brooms. The overall experience was underwhelming, and I wouldn't recommend this store to anyone looking for quality witch brooms.