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Sacred Ground Store Offers Goods for the Soul

Feb 28, 2022 ● By Carrie Jackson
Inside Sacred Grounds store

Photo credit Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground, in Arlington Heights, is a unique shop where customers can find an assortment of items to soothe the body, mind and spirit. Deneene Florino, who opened the store at the end of 2021, strives to make it a mecca of comfort and healing. “We offer quality products that promote a lifestyle of self-care and spiritual growth. All of our products are ethically sourced and crafted, and we feature artisans that produce small batch, organic and fair trade,” she says.

Florino wanted to open a brick-and-mortar store, especially in a time when online shopping is so prominent. “People are seeking connection more than ever now. More and more people are feeling lonely and isolated due to COVID-19. This adds to anxiety and depression being on the rise. I really want people to be able to come in, see a friendly face, have a real interaction and leave feeling connected. Sacred Ground seeks to be part of the restorative process to help people rebuild individually and as a community,” Florino explains.

The shop offers a broad range of items. Customers can find products such as angel cards, crystals, minerals, scarves and incense, as well as holistic healing remedies including Edgar Cayce products and castor oil packs. Florino likes to carry and promote women- and family-owned businesses, local vendors and sustainably sourced products. “We have a great variety of teas, coffee, Mexican drinking chocolates, soaps, pet treats, bee products and other local specialties,” she says.

When it comes to crystals and minerals, Sacred Ground offers something for every budget. “We strive to have items that are accessible for beginners and experts alike. We carry the raw and polished forms of the specimen so people have options. Some customers come in knowing exactly what they’re looking for and others are new, and want to explore and learn. I’m happy to answer any questions and offer suggestions,” says Florino. The clientele also ranges in age, with a growing number of teens and pre-teens showing interest in holistic modalities.

Keeping with their community focus, Sacred Ground showcases local artists with a rotating display of artwork. “We feature a Community Artist of the Month with a variety of mediums and styles. Our displays will include paintings, photography, jewelry, mosaics and other works. The art brings a wonderful energy to the space, and is all for sale,” notes Florino.

Sacred Ground also conducts workshops and classes to suit a wide audience. “We have a Crystals for Everyday class for those who want to learn the basics, an Advanced Crystals class for people who want to go deeper, as well as specialty classes like Crystals for Good Luck and Abundance and Crystals for the Young at Heart, which are for kids and their parents,” says Florino.

Other classes and workshops include Feng Shui, EFT, Essential Oils, and Reiki, led by expert practitioners. They also provide private sessions such as astrology, numerology, Peruvian shaman healing and Akashic records readings. One especially popular workshop is Sound Healing, with Andre Peraza leading participants on an incredible journey. The class involves multiple percussion instruments, including the gongs, drums, singing bowls, rain sticks and a variety of chimes.

Florino strives to make Sacred Ground a safe space where people can come and do more than shop. As a former hospice spiritual care and grief counselor, she is always open to listening. “So much of the collective pain we’re experiencing now is tied into grief, and that manifests in so many different ways. People have lost jobs, residences, loved ones and their sense of security and stability. I want customers to come in, have a cup of tea and feel comfortable within the space. I would like to think Sacred Ground is a place to find kindness and healing energy,” she shares.

Sacred Ground is located at 15 E. Miner St., in Arlington Hts. For more information, call 847-749-3922 or visit ShopSacredGround.com.

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston, IL-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Chicago magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.