Workshop Apothecary — Local services in West Chicago Township

I live very close to this store and was excited to have an apothecary near me, so I recently visited but couldn’t appreciate the store once I saw that they sell endangered plants. No one (including the owner) would clearly answer me when I asked where the plants were sourced from. This is especially upsetting to me considering that these plants are sacred to many Indigenous people, and the person profiting off of these is a white person in a recently gentrified neighborhood.

After researching the owner some more, I learned that she had attempted to open a similar business in Milwaukee and was forced to relocate to Chicago because she was extremely disrespectful to the neighborhood. Just yesterday, I learned that the owner is a police apologist which is an especially dangerous addition to a predominantly brown neighborhood. Due to this, I unfortunately have to give this shop 1 star.

edited addition: Contrary to the owner’s reply to me, we have never met or spoken in person. This is a lie. They have never been clear about where the white sage from their bundles comes from, and their response to my review is further proof that the owner continues to dodge this question. Because you have a white sage plant at home, you think it’s okay to sell bundles of this sacred plant to anyone who wanders in your shop regardless of their background. That isn’t an answer to where the sage is sourced from. What about the palo santo or abalone shells that I’ve also been asking about? Regardless of your background/race, no one should be profiting off of these sacred items and making them this widely accessible. Also, no one is harassing you. You immediately blocked me and every single person who tried talking to you, so how can that be true at all? How dare you suggest that I “run a workshop” for you after this, it’s your job as the owner to take responsibility. Stop playing the victim, Tanya Tucci. Start making some changes to the way you run your business and show your neighbors some respect or get out of Pilsen. How can you be so disrespectful to concerned Pilsen residents and expect us...

★★★★★

My mother and I recently attended a perfume creating workshop at Workshop Apothecary, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with the most wonderful, inviting scent and felt right at home. The ambiance of the workshop is warm and cozy, making it a perfect place for creativity and relaxation.

Tanya, the owner, is simply amazing. She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about educating her guests on the art of making great scents. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she made the whole process both fun and educational. We were blown away by the variety of scents and high-quality ingredients available for us to experiment with.

In addition to perfumes, Tanya also creates beautiful candles and other body products that are available for purchase in the store. Everything is crafted with such care and expertise – you can really tell how much love goes into each product.

The tea bar was another highlight of our visit. It was plentiful and offered a selection unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The staff were phenomenal, always attentive and eager to help, making sure we had everything we needed to fully enjoy our time.

Overall, our workshop at Workshop Apothecary was a delightful experience that we can’t wait to repeat. Even though we’re from Wisconsin, we’ll continue to support Tanya’s incredible business from afar. If you’re looking for a unique, enjoyable experience, I highly recommend visiting Workshop Apothecary – you won’t be...

Beautifully designed, welcoming space with handmade soaps, oils, body care items, and more. The owner Tanya has roots in the community, has lived in and around Pilsen her entire life and has welcomed local vendors to her shop to sell their goods at pop-up events every weekend since opening Labor Day weekend of this year. She has also opened the shelves of her store to myself and other local vendors to sell their goods without taking a commission. You won't find many other businesses like this. She truly has the best interests of the community at heart and takes time to talk to all the customers who have questions. It's wonderful to see a small business owner support other small businesses especially at such a difficult time for the economy. I recommend folks stop by and check out the place for themselves as every weekend there is a different themed pop-up supporting various...