Augustines Spiritual Boutique — Attraction in Chicago

First: I want you to know who I am. I'm the one that came in with my dog when two ladies were working and they gave me dog lots of rubs and attention. ( They even told me to come back with her whenever I visit the store). I even spoke to a nice gentleman with large earrings. He asked me my name. My name is JENNA and I've got something to say. I've gone in the store several times and was always greeted with respect and courtesy. However, last week I went in and am older man named Jeff was manning the store. I tried asking him some questions and every time I went to open my mouth I was interrupted with something like, "I can't help you... What you see is what you get." I had to tell him that I wasn't finished asking my question... How could he possibly know what was going to come out of my mouth next?! (FYI: Humans can't listen and talk simultaneously). He also was definitely doing some racial profiling because he kept asking me, "Are you finished yet?" And watched my EVERY MOVE.(If I was finished, I would have gone to the counter to pay for my things, which is what I did when I was properly done). However, when a person of the lighter hue walked into the store, he was greeted with warm smiles and, "How can I help you?" When the man said he was just browsing, Jeff left him in peace. I did purchase what I wanted (for the last time) and kindly asked Jeff's name so I could make note of it. I called twice to speak to the owner but they weren't there... So I'm forced to leave this review. I love to support small businesses in Bridgeport, but I'm not giving my money to a store who continues to have someone like that on staff. It's sad to say, but I found exactly what I bought at that store, on Amazon. Money has no color, Jeff and Augustine's lost a frequent, loyal customer. (I gave 3 stars because the other associates are awesome. I must remove myself from all rudeness and racism, whether covert or overt). Do better Jeff. Do something about Jeff Augustine's. BTW: an associate encouraged me to write this review. They knew I was speaking about Jeff before I uttered his name... So Augustine's, please don't respond with some nonshalant excuse for Jeff's behavior. There is no excuse for it.

A racist, is a racist. There is NO excuse for THAT behavior. He was surely focusing on me as I browsed through the store. His eyes were locked on me. Let me be clear, I am not the one to pull the race card easily. I watched him treat me VERY differently than the one other person in the store that happened to be of a lighter hue. An apology would have been fine and left it at that... But you tried to justify his behavior, which I cautioned you against, and that is just as worse as what he did. This world will never be better no matter how many times you write/say "peace and blessings" but your actions are not aligned. This is a teachable moment. There will be no "private" discussion. This is out in the open, where it should be. I hope you and Jeff...

I visited Chicago in December of '22 and March of '23 and had two different experiences at this particular shop. In December, I was helped by a woman who was clearly knowledgeable with her craft and was very helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with her. I purchased various items but in particular I stocked up on spell candles because they are way better priced than where I live. She went over dressing these candles for an upcharge (which is minimal) and listened to what was going on with my life so she could create a custom blend and blessing for it. My experience with this woman made me want to add Augustine's to my rotation of stops every time I go to Chicago. Now, my last experience was just...fine. My main issue with this last time was the man working behind the counter seemed frazzled and all over the place, not like the woman from my previous visit. He was also relatively condescending when I had brought up a container filled with prehnite chips (like the ones you would put in small spell jars and whatnot) that was marked .50. My assumption was that it was a weighted purchase as it's typically common for metaphysical shops to sell .05-1.00 oz of crystal chips for $1 or so. I thought this was a great price until he tells me that EACH chip is fifty cents. I thought that was ridiculous but did not voice that because small businesses can make their own prices. I simply told him that I did not not want the prehnite any longer and would stick with my other stones and he responded, "Why?" to which I truthfully answered, "It's a bit tedious to pick out chips of crystals. I'd rather just stick with the full stones thanks." He scoffed at me and was almost exasperate when he put the lid back on the crystals asking what I thought it was. Fifty cents for a piece of crystal that's smaller than one spec of pea gravel is ridiculous and, no, I'm not going to waste my time sifting through all of that. I'd end up spending the same amount that I spent on my Chinese Writing Stone ($4 for a full stone) for 8 chips that would blow out of my palm with a light breeze. Another issue was that I purchased a zodiac candle which comes with a free dressing (because they are priced higher than the regular ones) that is supposed to be custom to your situation. When I mentioned it the man just skirted around the question and we never got a dressing-which in all honesty, that's fine because it kind of seemed like he didn't know what he was talking about and just talked about owning the building for years-nothing about craft. That wasn't a huge issue because I'm versed enough to make my own candle dressings, but if you're not and you're wanting that service just a heads up you may not get it. I will definitely return regardless because the prices for everything else are just wonderful and I truly adored the energy of the shop the first time I went and the energy of the woman I talked to the first time. Just hoping the next time I return she's behind...

I called the store seeking help and Rev. Jones stated he could assist me with my issue. I asked if I could make an appointment and he said that he preferred I just come in on Sunday between 12-4, which I did.

When I arrived rev. Jones was assisting another person so I waited patiently for an hour. The store isn't very big and he was the only employee there at the time. I could over hear everything that he was discussing with the customer and despite the fact that it was of a sensitive nature he remained to speak loudly and let others hear her issue.

By the time he was done with the customer there were other customers waiting to be helped, but being that I was next he approached me to see what I needed. I stressed the sensitivity of my need and informed him that I didn't mind if he assisted the other customers first and that I would continue to patiently wait. To my surprise he said no and that if I wanted his help I needed to tell him what my issue was. The other customers were there to purchase items which he could have quickly dealt with as my issue required more of a consultative service. He stated that he's been doing this for over 15 years and that it was a place of trust. However some how that did nothing for me as I didn't feel comfortable or respected having to divulge my personal issue in front of five other strangers.

He stated that is how things were handled there and if I wanted his help that I would have to speak to him then. He also informed me, while the other 5 customers were standing next to me, that the "issues" I was experiencing I was manifesting them myself, although in a much more colorful manner as he has the vernacular of a drunken sailor, no offense to sailors but this "reverend" dropped the "F" bomb many times while speaking to his customers.

It was also extremely presumptuous of a perfect stranger who didn't have a clue of what my issue was to inform me that I was manifesting things. This by the way was the same exact advice he gave the customer he was assisting when I arrived.

Perhaps to some, having their private and very sensitive issues aired in public doesn't bother them, but it seemed he was doing this more to allow people to hear him instead of actually wanting to help the customer. For him to get so upset also tells me that he isn't as "centered" as he claims to be.

Understand that I am not saying he's a bad guy, but I asked for respect and discretion. Instead he informed me he was already there past closing time. I've been dealing with my issue for more than 30 years and when I initially spoke to him I was very hopeful he could help. But that proved to be false as he didn't respect me enough to allow me to wait until he checked out his customers. I even asked if I could return and he stated it would always be that way. Sorry for the negative review, but please don't offer your services if you aren't going to be respectful to the person...