When you enter Raw Earth Organics you are greeted with a gentle smell of candles and a timber wolf pup. The bright little store has shelves of miscellaneous organic products, ointments and beauty products, with a larger section for food. There are some neat pull-down dispensers for organic nuts and grains along with premeasured bags for easy purchase. I talked to co-owner Kristen Rick about what it was like to be a new business in Shepherdstown.
Kristen Rick and her fiancé, Justin Oldenburg, opened the store about three months ago. "This store was needed here," said Rick, "the closest organic store before this was in Fredericksburg."
Rick has lived in Shepherdstown most of her life and first became interested in organic food and products from the time she worked on a farm. She enjoys the unity of Shepherdstown; the other locals have been very supportive of them. As for the students of Shepherdstown, they are very welcome and get a 10% discount on the total value of their purchase.
The store is organized in a non-discriminatory way, there are local products mixed right along with the brand products. If you are looking for skin care lotions you'll find Oblas brand face oil right there next to a bottle with a homemade label taped to it.
Raw Earth also supports local artists with an abundance of knitted and homemade crafts and rock jewelry. Kristen Rick's favorite product is the "Indian Meadows"brand of face cream. Their top seller is a soothing balm from "Arnica plus" called "Peaceful Mountain". As for the food section, the Nutrition East brand is recommended, but the dispenser of almonds looks great, too.
Raw Earth Organics is located on 125 German St. a few buildings down from the Opera House. There are no events planned anytime soon but the patio may be opened in the spring. Just be careful, Eelu the wolf tends to lean against the door.
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