After many late nights (and early mornings!) the Herbiary is open at Reading Terminal Market.  As you have come to expect, we have stocked the shelves with the finest offerings from the natural world.  It's a feast for for the senses and, I must say, a fabulous addition to the melange that is Reading Terminal Market.  Whether you are looking for the peppermint leaves for tea or rare (and sublime!) gardenia enflourage oil, we are thrilled to be able to serve you.

As with any big undertaking, it really does take a village.  We are so grateful to our families who have provided everything from their professional services to lugging and late night painting.  Our extended shop family came through in a huge way, with everyone pulling late nights and overtime.  And friends walked Bandit, brought food, and kept us sane in a million little ways.  A heartfelt thanks to all of you.

This is a cell phone pic, but it will give you the gist!

See you at the Market!

The word "Apothecary" is evocative.  It conjures images of amber glass bottles and jars full of mysterious treasures...  attar of rose, and syrup of violet, perhaps a tisane for Aunt Ethyl's rheumatism.  It is with great sadness that we lose this word, and its depth of connotation, as we change our name. 

Unfortunately the State of Pennsylvania believes that the word "Apothecary" conjures images of sterile pills in orange plastic containers.  The belief is that by using the word Apothecary we will some how lure you, the consumer, into the belief that we have been trained in allopathic pharmaceutical practices.  How we wish this little detail had been mentioned when we registered our name with the state or the city!  Instead we found out when Bethany visited a downtown bar that used to be called The Apothecary Bar but now must be APO due to this silly law.  Yes, I'm a little bitter.  Loss of language, whether through attrition or regulation, is maddening to me.  But energy is not an endless commodity and fighting this is not a good place to spend mine.

Luckily our language is living and flexible.  It allows for the invention of new words such as "Herbiary."  What is an Herbiary, you ask?  It is like a Beastiary, but for medicinal plants.  It has the whimsey of topiary and the happy buzz of apiary.  As an added benefit, the website was available.  And for a final bit of happiness, I got to work with our fabulous designer, Suzanne Guelli, to create a new logo.  Isn't it lovely?

So come by and visit us, at the original location in Chestnut Hill or the new shop in Reading Terminal Market.  Nothings changed but our name!

We're hoping to open our next store in about 8 days!  Think we can pull it off?

Admittedly this photo was taken about ten days back!  : )

with Marie Noel Groves, Sunday March 14 from 4-7 pm, registration: $85 includes all materials, handouts, and samples. Call 215 247 2110 to register.



The new Chestnut Hill website, Hill on the Avenue, did a great piece on the shop and my new practice, Earthwise Ways.  Check it out at http://www.hillontheavenue.com/kitchen-apothecary-winter-survival.