Witchcraft stores are opening and expanding across Canada, drawing younger customers who want community and self-care rather than late nights at bars. In Oakville, Ont., The Witch's Fix pairs incense and spell kits with backroom workshops, and its owners have added a second location after success at their Hamilton shop.

Why are witchcraft stores growing?

Interest in spirituality-led witchcraft rose early in the COVID-19 pandemic, when people turned to tarot and astrology amid uncertainty, according to reporting by The Canadian Press. That curiosity has since turned into demand for physical spaces.

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"We just wanted to give people more of a community feel," said co-founder Maria Cavero, who bought the first Hamilton location in 2021 with Gabriela Rosas. The pair opened in Oakville last fall.

In Ottawa, Julie Saunders and her husband moved the online Witch Chest into a brick-and-mortar shop three years ago and began hosting witches' gatherings once a month. Saunders said her first reason for opening was to have a community, and the store has since expanded as sales rose and more people joined events.

What happens inside these shops?

The Witch's Fix hosts a herbalist teaching plant magic and plant medicine, candle-making workshops, tarot reading sessions and leather bookbinding lessons. The Witch Chest makes bath salts, calming oils and beeswax candles, and runs a 13-week witchcraft course, though the space is now too small for its growing class.

Who is driving the trend?

Many customers are part of a growing group of religious "nones" in North America, people who do not belong to a specific religion but seek spirituality, said Sabina Magliocco, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of British Columbia. She said social media has made modern pagan witchcraft more visible and socially acceptable.

Some Canadians are also taking the practice online. On Etsy, job seekers pay for spells related to employment; more than 18,000 posts use the "Etsy witch" hashtag, according to The Margin. Economists point to a difficult job market for younger workers.

FAQ

What do these stores sell?

They offer crystals, incense, candles, herbal remedies and spell kits, along with classes and readings.

Why do younger people visit?

Many come for community, hands-on hobbies and spiritual connection rather than nightlife.