Located in the historic city of Salem, Massachusetts, the oldest witch shop in Salem is a place steeped in mystery and enchantment. It stands as a symbol and testament to the enduring fascination with witchcraft and the occult. With its origins dating back to the late 18th century, the shop has a rich and storied history. Salem itself has long been associated with the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, during which numerous people were accused of practicing witchcraft and sorcery. The trials left a lasting mark on the city, and today it is a major tourist destination for those interested in the history and folklore surrounding witches. Entering the shop feels like stepping back in time.

How Salem really became ‘Witch City’

Entering the shop feels like stepping back in time. The walls are lined with shelves of herbs, potions, and spellbooks, while the air is thick with the scent of incense and various herbs. The shopkeepers, dressed in traditional clothing, are knowledgeable and passionate about their craft, and are always ready to assist customers in finding the perfect magical tools or guidance.

Visit the the witch shop that launched the city’s reputation as a safe haven for spellcasters.

Once named The Witch Shoppe, Crow Haven Corner is Salem’s oldest store of its kind.

As you stroll through Salem toting a sack of crystals and a grimoire tucked under your arm, you have one woman to thank for the bewitching experience the city is known for today: Laurie Cabot.

Dubbed “ the official witch of Salem ,” many local experts trace the city’s bubbling cauldron of Pagan and Wiccan cultures — not to mention a booming tourist industry that drew one million visitors in 2022 — back to Cabot.

Long before covens of visitors flocked to Salem every fall, Cabot was the first witch to stake her claim in Salem, opening one of the first — if not the first — witch shops in America at 100 Derby St. in the early 1970s. At The Witch Shoppe, she peddled items like bagged herbs. At the same time, national interest in witchcraft swelled, thanks to the TV series “Bewitched” filming in town.

The TV show and Cabot’s shop provided the perfect formula for sparking some Salem magic. After centuries of shying away from the tragic events constituting the local witch trials, the city leaned into its darker history to capitalize on the public’s newfound fascination with witchcraft.

Laurie Cabot in Salem in the 1970s.

Cabot eventually moved The Witch Shoppe to 125 Essex St., renaming it Crow Haven Corner . While Cabot no longer owns the shop — it now belongs to another prominent local witch named Lorelei — the unmistakable black and purple store still stands, stocking spell kits, books, tarot cards, and other enchanting essentials.

Here’s how you can interact with the oldest witch shop in Salem:

• Stop by any day from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. to browse the witchy wares
• Guests can book tarot + psychic readings in advance online or on-site
• Adventurous visitors can rent an on-theme AirBnB located above the shop

Bonus: Book a Salem Witch Walk tour, which takes you through the shop’s yard to participate in a traditional circle dance.

A peek inside the home of a Salem witch

Salem’s oldest witch shop, Crow Haven Corner, is a neatly kept black gambrel on Essex Street with flower boxes and a cheerful purple door. Laurie Cabot, declared Salem’s official witch by former governor Michael Dukakis, once ran the shop, but now Lorelei Stathopoulos, known as Salem’s “Famous Love Clairvoyant,” owns the business and lives on the upper two floors. She creates love potions, conducts readings for loyal followers and intrigued visitors, and serves as a “magical life coach.”

Flocks of tourists gather in front of Crow Haven for photos; the bottom floor is filled with shoppers browsing herbs, jewels, and candles with the help of Stathopoulos’s team of witches. An enchantingly sweet scent (lavender?) wafts through the air.

“The more you give love and light, the more you receive at the end of the night,” Stathopoulos says with a wink, heading upstairs. She’s a charismatic dynamo in heels and black-and-orange striped tights with a model’s figure, thanks to a vegan diet (for spiritual reasons) and an avid routine of sea-salt swimming. Her blonde hair has glints of purple and blue. Her mother was a witch and astrologer, she says, and she’s read tarot cards since age 10.

Her two Chihuahuas, Chico and Dolly, trail her up the narrow staircase and down a hallway lined with bright pink walls and flickering candles. Stathopoulos is also known throughout town as the founder of Salem Saves Animals, a nonprofit that raises awareness about abuse, and the dogs never leave her side. (She also three cats; two of them are black, of course.)

Her bedroom, a candlelit sanctuary with black-and-gold wallpaper and golden tasseled curtains, is the heart of her home. A mirror hangs in the doorway to deflect negative energy back into the universe. To the left is an altar flanked by two protective golden leopards.

The room glimmers. Homemade spell candles, a Crow Haven specialty, glow atop the altar. Each is magically charged with an intention like protection or love, she says. Here, they illuminate framed photographs of Stathopoulos’s family and reflect against another gold-rimmed mirror. The centerpiece is a shimmering blue urn that honors her late husband. A tall Lady Justice statue, scales in hand, anchors another corner for more protection. Amethysts, a gemstone believed to promote tranquillity, and smoky quartz, said to remove negative energy, line the floor.

Chico leaps onto the bed and settles atop a gold, pink, and black flower-patterned bedspread. (Unlike many of the beautiful objects here, this isn’t a Crow Haven original: “I got it from Neiman Marcus,” Stathopoulos says with a sassy laugh. She has a sense of humor.) Several multicolored glass witch balls, intended to ward off incorrect energy, dangle from the ceiling to encircle the bed. Stathopoulos sometimes offers phone readings from this regal perch.

Chihuahuas clipping her side, it’s back down the staircase to her busy shop — with a quick peek at the gold-ceilinged kitchen, where cauldrons simmer on the stove.

“Much love and light!” she calls as a customer heads back into the Essex Street bustle.

It’s nearly Halloween, but it feels like Valentine’s Day, too.

Iconic Witch Shop To Close In Salem, Mass.

Laurie Cabot opened the town's first Witch shop in 1970 and helped to make Salem a tourist destination. A few years later she was named the "Official Witch of Salem" by then Governor Michael Dukakis. While her brick-and-mortar store is closing, her online store will still offer broomsticks, cauldrons and more.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And today's last word in business is: The spell is broken.

The town of Salem, Massachusetts, is known for its violent history of the Salem witch trials of the 17th century. But more than 40 years ago, an advocate and teacher of witchcraft helped to make it a tourist destination.

Laurie Cabot opened the town's first witch shop in 1970. A few years later, she was named the official witch of Salem by then Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. Cabot's store was reborn under several names and locations over the years, but she has announced on her website that today will be the last day of business for the final incarnation of her brick-and-mortar witch store. Her online store will still be around, offering broomsticks, cauldrons, chalices and more.

And that's the business news on MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

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The shop offers a wide range of items for practitioners of witchcraft and the occult. From wands and crystals to tarot cards and pendulums, there is something for everyone seeking to explore the mysteries of the unseen. Many of the products are handcrafted, infused with intention and energy by the shop's resident witches. Visitors to the shop can also participate in workshops and rituals led by experienced practitioners. Whether it is learning how to cast a spell, reading tarot cards, or connecting with one's spirit guides, there are endless opportunities for spiritual growth and exploration. The oldest witch shop in Salem is more than just a store - it is a sanctuary for those seeking to connect with the magical world. It serves as a reminder of the rich history of witchcraft and the enduring curiosity humans have in the unknown. Stepping into the shop is like delving into a world of mystery and wonder, where one can tap into their own inner power and explore ancient traditions. It is a place where the old and the new converge, bridging the gap between past and present, and serving as a beacon of knowledge and spirituality in the heart of Salem..

Reviews for "Witchcraft Treasures: Salem's Oldest Witch Shop Revealed"

1. John - 1 star:

I was extremely disappointed with my visit to the Oldest Witch Shop in Salem. The shop was small and unimpressive, with very limited merchandise. The staff was not friendly or helpful at all, and seemed more interested in chatting amongst themselves than assisting customers. The prices were also incredibly high for what was being offered. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time or money at this shop.

2. Sarah - 2 stars:

I had high expectations for the Oldest Witch Shop in Salem, but unfortunately, it fell short. The shop had a very cramped and cluttered feel, making it difficult to browse through the products. Additionally, the staff was not knowledgeable about the different herbs, crystals, and other items they were selling, which was disappointing. The lack of customer service and the high prices made me question the authenticity of the products being sold. I would suggest looking for a different witch shop in Salem for a better experience.

3. Michael - 1 star:

My visit to the Oldest Witch Shop in Salem left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. The shop itself was poorly organized and lacked a cohesive theme. The selection of items was limited, and the quality did not match the high prices. The staff was unfriendly, unhelpful, and seemed disinterested in engaging with customers. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with my experience and would not recommend this shop to anyone seeking an authentic and enjoyable witchcraft shopping experience in Salem.

Unveiling the Legends at Salem's Oldest Witch Shop