Entry No. 1 — the New York City file — filed under: witchy
Enchantments
Opened in 1982, Enchantments is New York City's oldest occult store and a working witch shop, not a costume-aisle gift counter. Its signature service is the custom-carved candle: a staffer interviews you about your intention, then carves a 7-day glass pillar with magical symbols, your name and astrological sign, anoints it with the matching oil, and rubs metal glitter into the cuts, a process that takes 15 to 45 minutes. The shelves hold herbs, oils, talismans, tarot and oracle decks for a range of magical traditions.
The story
Operating on Avenue B since 1982, Enchantments holds the title of New York City's oldest occult shop. It survived the East Village’s transformation from punk-and-tenement neighborhood to luxury real estate without diluting its purpose or pivoting into novelty Halloween retail. This is a working witch shop that has served local practitioners across multiple magical traditions for over four decades.
The center of the operation is the custom candle counter. You don't just grab a pre-packaged votive off a shelf here. Instead, you sit down with a staffer for a 15-to-45-minute consultation about your specific intention. Based on that conversation, the staffer carves your name, astrological sign, and specific magical symbols directly into the wax of a seven-day glass pillar candle. The cuts are then anointed with intention-matched oils and packed with metallic glitter so the sigils catch the light.
Surrounding the carving station, floor-to-ceiling shelves stock loose herbs, dedicated ritual oils, talismans, and a deep collection of tarot and oracle decks. Every item is stocked as a practical tool for spellwork rather than souvenir set dressing.
What it's like
Stepping inside 165 Avenue B puts you in a tight, heavily scented room smelling of forty years of accumulated resins, essential oils, and melted wax. If you are coming for a custom candle, be prepared to wait your turn—the consultation process cannot be rushed, and there are no shortcuts or phone orders. Arrive well before 7 PM to guarantee a carving slot, and keep in mind that the brick-and-mortar storefront runs on a Wednesday-through-Sunday schedule.
The move: Sit through the candle interview together and have one pillar carved for the two of you as a shared intention, then watch the staffer dress it in oil and glitter.
📍 Before you go Custom candle carving is in-person only (no phone orders); arrive before 7 pm to allow time for carving.
- 📍 East Village, Manhattan
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 165 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Flower Power Herbs & Roots — Walk three blocks west to source organic roots and loose botanicals from fellow neighborhood practitioner Lata Chettri-Kennedy.
- Please Don't Tell (PDT) — Take your newly carved pillar two blocks south and step through the Crif Dogs phone booth for a quiet cocktail while the wax sets.
- Gothic Renaissance — Head west toward Union Square to pair your East Village spellwork supplies with dark attire from Manhattan's long-running alternative fashion boutique.
Good to know
How does the custom candle carving service work?
A staff member conducts a 15-to-45-minute interview to map out your specific goal. They then carve corresponding astrological symbols, names, and esoteric sigils into a 7-day glass pillar candle, dress it in custom oils, and rub metallic glitter into the carved grooves.
Can I order a custom carved candle online or over the phone?
No. The consultation and carving process is strictly in-person. While general inventory can be shipped via their online store, custom candle magic requires your physical presence in the shop.
What time do I need to arrive for a candle carving?
You must arrive before 7:00 PM to give the staff enough time to conduct the interview and complete the detailed carving before the store closes.
What days is the physical store open?
The physical storefront operates Wednesday through Sunday.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · evgrieve.com · Instagram · theguardian.com
last checked: 2026-06-23