Group W Bench — Local services in New Haven

One of the funkiest, weirdest, coolest and most memorable stores on earth. You may walk in because you heard the music, or caught a whiff of the unexplainable incense wafting out the door, or maybe just because the window with its 1000 curiosities piques your interest.... but once inside you will find something you realize you never knew you couldn't live without. Every time I got my ears pierced ( I have 9 holes in my ears) I would stop in to buy a new silver hoop, and walk out with a dress, scarf, hat, soaps, candles, some odd toy, cool bracelet or hysterical greeting card to match my new earring. 30 years later I am still wearing my silver hoops in my ears, and using my ceramic incense holder, and the carved inlay box I bought there still sits on my dresser holding my treasured baubles purchased at GWB. I still remember the first time I wandered in the Chapel St store and met Rafael. He told me stories of the hippie days of the store, and I was hooked from then on. Do yourself a favor and stop in. Even just to share a smile. But more than likely you will find a fabulous gift for yourself or...

I went into the store hoping to sell handmade products of mine. This being what I thought a laid back, open-minded, welcoming atmosphere was not the experience I got. I showed a woman at the counter my work, and she gave me a quick no, and no explanation. Then out of the thickness of hippy clothes, nag champa incence and patchouli appeared a portly bald bearded elf in a Grateful Dead t-shirt with an angry attitude (owner?)who said" GET OUT! SHE SAID NOOO!!!" DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND NO????" I was smacked blindsided by this so-called easygoing hippyness. Hippies, especially crusty old ones who still think it's the 60s can be mean, VERY MEAN. My wife used to shop there, but stopped going because of the way I was treated. Don't trust a 'hippy', and hippy wearing ponytails can contradict your notions of human decency. Remember, GWB are there to make that...

I have loved this shop for decades. Sadly they discourage photography inside or I'd show it off more. However, the staff is helpful and kind, the walls and shelves are absolutely loaded with cool (hippie-ish) stuff. Plastic finger puppets, incense and accessories, stones, gems, ornaments, candles, clothing, tie dye, hats, postcards, toys, statues, stickers. For a tiny shop they have a lot to choose from. I typically volunteer my bag/purse at the door because I'm afraid I'll bump into something, they seem to appreciate it as well. Go here! ($10 credit card minimum isn't...