Entry No. 6 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: witchy
Wise Roots Apothecary
Tucked inside a candlelit 1880s church on Canon Ave, this women-led herbalist shop crafts bespoke ceremonial experiences — divorce parties, coming-of-age rites, grief rituals — where your group makes an herbal creation to carry home.
The story
You don't expect to walk into an 1880s church in Manitou Springs to process a life transition, but Wise Roots Apothecary isn't run by Sunday school teachers. Tucked inside a historic church sanctuary on Canon Avenue, this women-led herbal shop traded traditional pews for shelves of bulk herbs, handcrafted tinctures, organic salves, and essential oils. While anyone can stop in during store hours to pick up botanical remedies, the real magic happens when the front doors lock and the candles are lit.
Instead of standard group outings, the shop hosts private, custom-crafted ceremonies centered on real-world thresholds—divorce parties, grief and remembrance rituals, coming-of-age rites, and fresh-start cleanses. Sitting around plant altars with warm cacao and guided drop-in meditations, participants work with plant medicine to speak their truths and formulate a custom herbal blend or potion to carry home as a physical anchor for whatever chapter they just closed.
It's a distinct continuation of Manitou Springs' century-old legacy as a Front Range health destination, back when travelers journeyed here for the cold mineral waters. Wise Roots channels that same bio-regional focus into intimate modern rituals—a conspiratorial, deeply unusual alternative to dinner and a show where the plants, story, and ambient candlelight do the work.
What it's like
Arrive on foot along Canon Avenue—skip hunting for street spots right out front and park in the public Canon Avenue lot up the block. Look for the historic 1880s church building rather than a standard commercial storefront. Inside, the candlelit sanctuary smells rich with dried roots and aromatic herbs, and you might be greeted at the door by the shop's resident dog. While retail browsing is welcome during afternoon store hours (though mountain weather can occasionally shift the schedule), private group rituals are strictly by advance appointment, so you'll want to submit an inquiry through their website long before your trip.
The move: Book a private herbal ceremony for two or a small crew and let the plants, story, and candlelight do the work — you didn't hear it from us, but this is the most unusual "dinner and a show" alternative in the Pikes Peak region.
📍 Before you go You'll find it on Canon Avenue in the heart of compact, walkable downtown Manitou Springs, set inside a converted 1880s church — look for the historic building rather than a typical storefront. Skip hunting for a spot out front; the Canon Avenue public lot sits just up the block, and the whole town is easy on foot. The shop keeps regular browsing hours (which shift with weather and season — check ahead), but the private ceremonies are the real draw and run by appointment only, so arrange those well in advance through the website. It's dog-friendly, so the resident pup may greet you. Pair it with the free mineral-spring fountains and the cafes and oddity shops a short stroll away.
- 📍 Manitou Springs
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 116 Canon Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Hours: Shop Mon–Fri 12–6pm, Sat 11am–6pm, Sun 12–5pm (subject to weather); private ceremonies by inquiry/appointment via website form.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Hart & Horn — After crafting custom plant remedies inside a converted 1880s church, walk down the street to browse witchy tools and supplies curated by a veteran practicing practitioner.
- The Cauldron — Pair your herbal ritual with a short stroll over to Ruxton Avenue to browse tiny shelves packed with oddities, talismans, and unexplainable curiosities.
- Celebration Metaphysical Center — Extend your dive into local occult culture by visiting this slightly hidden center off Garden of the Gods Road, where local covens share bulletin space and readers run back-room sessions.
Good to know
Do I need an appointment to drop in and shop?
No, you can browse retail products during regular store hours (generally Mon–Fri 12–6pm, Sat 11am–6pm, Sun 12–5pm, subject to weather), but private ceremonies are strictly by appointment.
What happens during a private herbal ceremony?
Custom gatherings are designed around specific life events—like divorce parties, grief rites, or milestone celebrations—and include candlelit plant altars, cacao, guided meditation, and a hands-on make-and-take herbal creation.
Where is the best place to park?
Park at the Canon Avenue public lot just up the block from 116 Canon Ave, as downtown Manitou Springs is compact and very easy to navigate on foot.
Are dogs allowed inside the shop?
Yes, Wise Roots Apothecary is dog-friendly, and you may meet the shop's resident pup during your visit.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · manitousprings.org · Facebook
last checked: 2026-06-04