Celebrating Yuletide at Witch Chest 

Photos: JL Wallace 

  

Celebrating Yuletide at Witch Chest 

Something for every witch and witch-curious 

By Jessie-Lee Wallace  

 

Among the many celebrations in December, Yuletide or Winter Solstice is the one that customers will notice most when they visit Witch Chest at 740 Bank Street, nestled in between Feleena’s and the Glebe Barber.  

So exactly what is a witch?  

Owner Julie Saunders says simply, “a witch is a wise woman.”  She adds, “I do have brooms, plural, but I don’t fly on them.”  

Saunders emphasizes that her shop is open to all and provides a judgment-free zone where individuals can learn in a supportive environment about themselves.  

The store is full of items for study, relaxation and ritual use, like candles and essential oils. The owner makes many of the selection herself. There is a wide range of items for the witch-curious like divination tools, books, incense, crystals, spells and potions. 

Witch Chest recently celebrated the three-year anniversary of its brick-and-mortar shop, although its move to the Glebe is more recent, happening this past June. 

Originally located on Rideau Street, the shop needed to relocate to accommodate its growing clientele and thriving online sales that really took off during COVID. 

“We were getting bigger, essentially. We didn’t want to move too far from where we were because people knew us there. The Glebe is an area that has really embraced this business,” she explains. She and her husband will also be moving to the Glebe as residents soon enough, to be closer to work.  

For Saunders, the idea to open her own shop had been brewing since her 30s because of her lifelong passion for all things witchy. 

“I’ve been in it since I was young,” she shares “It runs in the family.”  

Growing up in Prince Edward Island and practically being raised by her grandmother, a practitioner, Saunders fondly recalls her childhood filled with gardening and baking.  

“My great grandmother was also the town healer in Aurelia, Simcoe County,” she says, her family history instilled in her a deep appreciation for the craft.  

It wasn’t until her university years that she fully re-embraced witchcraft, a journey that continues to shape her life and her business today. 

Despite lacking formal training in business, Saunders knew exactly what she wanted.  

“There was a gap in the market for a space that catered to those interested in metaphysical practices and witchcraft,” she says. With the closure of another long-time local store, Crystal Dawn, Saunders saw it as an opportunity to cater to her community.  

According to the owner, Witch Chest is not just a retail space; it serves as a sanctuary for a group that often feels marginalized.  

“It’s a fairly big community in Ottawa, but there are a lot of people on their own, a lot of solitary practitioners,” she reflects.  

As her shop continues to flourish, Saunders is exploring new ideas for community engagement, such as workshops, classes and collaboration with local artisans. The Witch Chest team aims to build a space that welcomes everyone, regardless of where they are on their spiritual path.  

“If people have questions, we encourage them to ask.”  

Since moving to the Glebe, there has been a steady clientele, with plenty of repeat customers. In fact, many of her employees were once customers themselves. Like Maura Stephens. Three years ago, she stumbled on the former location along with her sister, and they became regulars.  

“Immediately I felt welcomed, warm, cared for. I want that for other people . . . to not feel alone. It’s the best job,” says Stephens, smiling from behind the cash, backed by dozens of jars full of curiosities. 

So, when December 21 rolls around, how will Saunders be celebrating the Winter Solstice?  

“We will be hosting a get-together in the store as a way of honouring the growing light after the darkness of the autumn, and the natural rhythms of it all.” The celebration will include wreath-making, food and drink. 

Witch Chest has successfully carved out a unique niche, offering not just products but also a sense of belonging for those who seek it. 

To learn more: www.witchchest.ca/ Witch Chest, 740 Bank Street  

 

Jessie-Lee Wallace is a proud mom, wife, writer, non-profit leader and volunteer who believes in the strength of local community. She calls the Glebe Annex home. 

 

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