Columbia Street's New Religious Icons Store
Columbia Street businesses seem to have a tough time hanging on in Carroll Gardens West. The lack of weekday foot traffic, combined with the ongoing street renovations, do not make Columbia Street the next Smith Street. Still, I've heard store rent isn't cheap. And that could explain why businesses close in the area more often than they open. So, I can't say I really understand the presence (or economic viability) of this new religious icons store, Botanica El Phoenix, at Union and Columbia streets.
Though an equal opportunity religious icons store (saw a few Buddhas), most of the stock seems centered on Latin American Catholic imagry, plus a healthy dose of mysticism. So next to your more traditional rows of Jesus and Mary icons and Catholic prayer candles, there's a whole shelf devoted to a variety of oils that ward away evil and the like. I checked it out on Saturday and then came back for some photos on Sunday (when it was closed, naturally).
Anyway, if you're looking for any religious icons, Columbia Street has your one-stop shop.
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This store has an amazing collection of candles. Their selection of voodoo products is especially noteworthy. Since buying the purple "Law stay away" candle, I have not had any incidents with the police. And after writing the names of some enemies on the back of my black "Death to my Enemies" candle, I have noticed many of them having bad luck!
The rent being asked was $6000 and the space was vacant for nearly 2 years.
The products sold there are for earth-based practitioners yet more of the Yoruba/Santeria tradition. Not Vodun (Voodoo). Though related, they're not the same.
I met the elder who owns it. He is full of information and very humble. I asked him why did he choose to open up a botanica in that neighborhood, he replied that it was God.
I would go back even if it is to just say hi.
gee more hatred twords anothers beliefs written by one of the so-called "chosen" people. I have to say I'm shocked. With each day i live I realize more and more that Hitler was right.