Wiccans' shop has items for spirit, body and mind

The owners dubbed the business an 'eclectic gift shop.'
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Lisa Peura realizes she and her brother, Dennis Doing, grew up in a very accepting household.
"Our parents were always very open, and let us experiment and try new things," Peura, of Warren, explains.
The siblings acknowledge their father's American Indian heritage led them to explore the more spiritual side of nature.
Peura said she always knew her beliefs were a little unconventional but didn't realize there were others like her until she found the Wicca religion.
As an organized religion, Wicca is relatively new, but its principles and practices date back centuries. Essentially an earth and nature-based religion, many of its rituals and practices are based on the symbols, seasonal celebrations and gods and goddesses of ancient Celtic society.
Peura realizes it's a misunderstood religion.
"There's so many misconceptions about Wicca," she said. "People base their opinions and thoughts on what they've seen about it and witchcraft on TV."
Peura said in her years practicing the religion, she's received some unusual questions. Her favorite was the man who asked, "What do you people eat?"
"I told him, 'Nachos and beer,'" she said with a sly smile.
Supplies
Followers of Wicca often use magical spells in their rituals, incorporating herbs, candles and more into the practices. The search for supplies -- and for other unique gift-type items -- forced Doing, Peura and her husband, Shawn, to travel to places like Akron and Cleveland.
"We could never find anything around here," she said. "So one day we decided we might as well start our own business. Then we would know where to find things."
Despite having full-time jobs -- Lisa works for FirstEnergy and Shawn is a Warren firefighter -- the couple decided to take a chance and opened the Emerald Chalice. Peura's family, especially Doing, also chips in to help operate the business. The shop is at 157 W. Market St., across the street from the Trumbull County Courthouse in Warren.
Dubbed as an "eclectic gift shop," the Emerald Chalice offers seasonal and spiritual items, candles, incense, jewelry, food items and fantasy items featuring gargoyles, fairies, dragons, wizards and skulls.
"There's items in here for Christians, Catholics, Wiccans, fantasy lovers ..." Peura said. "And everything in here is something that me, my husband or my family is interested in."
Doing noted that most of the items are not found in traditional gift stores, but on the Internet.
"At least here you can see and touch something before you buy it," he said.
Tarot cards
In addition to the gift, seasonal and Wicca items, the Emerald Chalice also offers tarot card and rune readings.
"If we find there is enough interest in those services, we would like to someday offer classes on tarot and runes," Peura said.
"Almost like Wicca 101," she joked.
So far, the siblings said, the venture has been a success.
"The word is really spreading," Peura said. "People have been very excited and accepting."
To celebrate, the Emerald Chalice will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The event is open to the public, and will also serve as an open-house for new customers.
For more information, call the business at (330) 393-3303.
slshaulis@vindy.com