Beads N Botanicals — Attraction in Urbana

My review has both good and bad things. I love supporting a small business and that's exactly what I was trying to do today. But here is how our trip to this shop went.

The reviews about having the door locked until you have a mask on are true. Which I understand but it's not legal to lock a door during business hours per OSHA. There has to be a better way to protect the customers and staff. To be clear, I am 100% on board with taking precautions, I didn't even mind the spritz of sanitizer on my hands, it's actually welcoming because I feel they are taking good steps to protect me. But keeping a door locked during business hours is flat out not legal per OSHA.

The next thing is the selection, very good stuff to pick from and a huge variety of stones, books, herbs, and random odd things at prices I've come to expect from similar shops in other towns. I loved the selection! Not much in beads tho but I wasn't there for those. I only wish there was more room to have more items out!

This could have been a 4 star review (because of the locked door making me nervous) but at the end something I've never experienced happened. During our time inside, the owner followed us around a little bit and kept showing us things (I tried to avoid touching things I wasn't buying because of COVID). Which was nice but felt a little tiny bit like hovering over us.

At one point she showed us a book I really wanted but I couldn't afford it, my sister looked at it too and also decided against it so she put it back on the shelf. After having spent close to $45 (between us both) we were heading out. As I left the shop owner called out my name (she had just written it on a card for return purchases) "hey Angie. Where did that book go?" I was stunned so I kind of said "it went back on the shelf?" Thankfully the other gal backed me up since she saw my sister put it back.

I felt very confused and looking back, she might have thought I stuffed it in my mini backpack/purse since I was carrying it instead of wearing it (I was afraid of knocking stuff over). Which I guess I understand but it really left a sour feeling in my soul. I felt like I was accused of stealing which I would never do, especially with a small business. It just genuinely hurt my feelings.

2 stars because the girl managing the door was super nice and sweet and the store vibe was great until I was leaving. Unfortunately I don't think I'd want to return anytime soon. I just was made to feel like I did something wrong which is so unfortunate. :(

Edit: if you look at the responses from the owner, they never give a genuine apology. To the owner; You flat out thought I was stealing and are acting like you just wanted to know where it went. The tone you used was NOT questioning where it was, it was accusatory. Please take the time to give genuine empathetic apologies instead of taking it all as an attack. As a Business owner, this is your...

I visited about two to three weeks ago, very excited to check it out, as their hours are very spotty and random. I've been to other crystal and metaphysical shops before, and I will say they have an OK selection. I purchased a few things, about $50 worth, and all of my crystals were packaged together with their cards thrown into the bag, so it was fun trying to determine what was what when I got home. (especially with the money and care that was spent picking them out, I would think to individually bag them would be courtesy). it was a cute, small place that has lots of potential but there was stuff EVERYWHERE. the organization was terrible, and difficult to navigate the store. Nothing seemed to really have a place, and everything was kind of thrown together. I do not recommend the handmade incense, the sticks we purchased were very weak smelling and didn't give the pleasures of burning incense. Much better off buying from China. the Woman at the register seemed very fake, and almost flew off the handle when I was paying and said I was "hovering" when I was just waiting to take my card out? it was extremely rude, and will prevent me from ever returning to this store. not to mention the "door watcher" employee who stood there watching everyone and was also very rude in answering customer questions. it was quite the opposite of anything I have experienced in a shop like this, and did not get a welcoming vibe or experience. highly recommend any other shop or even the internet before coming here, but chances are they'll be...

I have given this shop multiple tries, and I just can't justify the behavior of the staff. I have been uncomfortable every single time, the vibes are OFF and the air is thick with it. Every time I've been in, the staff is so rude, near predatory, and hover in personal space. It's excessively uncomfortable and makes me very anxious.

Prepare to have someone in your space, period. If you pick something up, whoever is on duty will come right over if you set it back down and make sure everything is there. It's honestly ridiculous. You can barely breathe, and not just because the place is small. Also, every single item you pick up you will hear "do you know how to use that?" or something else masked as customer service that sounds horribly condescending. It isn't just one person, several of them have acted like that during the times i've been in.

They need a serious overhaul on dealing with the general public. Their merchandise is also really overpriced. You'll have much better luck dealing with Enchantment Alley- who, does have limited stock- but will be willing to work with you for what you need or if you need something ordered specifically. Or you can find exactly what you want on LLewelyn's site.

I'm all about supporting local, but not at the expense of my extreme anxiety.

( I will also add that this was pre-pandemic, so nothing to do with their current practices or...