Adventures into Altar Ego Apothecary

What’s an unusual sight for Utah? A purple door on Center Street. The witch of Midvale has made her move to a city near you, and whether you’re looking for an eclectic community or tools for your craft, Devin Johnson is here to help. With the grand opening of Altar Ego Apothecary on Aug. 28, SLUG popped in to give you a sneak peek before you stop by to check it out for yourself!

Modified from an early Mormon settlement into a mortuary and later a flower shop, the historic home on Midvale’s Center Street has served a multitude of purposes before being morphed into a sacred communal space made for those curious about the occult. As a local to the city of Midvale, Johnson recognized that Utah needs more space for the metaphysical after discovering witchcraft in their early 20s. This led her to pursue establishing an environment that would allow her to connect with the community and make esoteric practices more ethical and accessible in Salt Lake City. After countless trials and tribulations never faced before, Johnson secured the home on 737 W. Center Street with the help of their mother, and the dream is being fleshed into a reality one day at a time.

Upon arriving at Altar Ego, you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the purple door on a white home that nearly resembles the mansion in Practical Magic. Walking through the entryway, you’re greeted with colorful flags, countless zines and resources for your own ventures into witchcraft before sweeping into the main hall where the magic happens. Candles hang from the ceiling, crystals are splayed out on side tables and tools for your craft can be found in every corner of the room. Whether you’ve decided to restock your herbs or you’ve wanted to learn about anointing, there’s something for everyone at Altar Ego! Additionally, as someone who has been exploring avenues of the occult since my youth, there is nothing more important than a shop that focuses on ethically sourcing its stock. Considering that closed practices are dismissed and self-proclaimed “starseeds” are now streamlining spirituality on social media, it’s a relief to know that you won’t find any “Temu trinkets” on the shelves of Altar Ego Apothecary. They don’t distribute white sage or palo santo, and ultimately they share that they “have no plans of becoming the Deseret Book of witchcraft.”

During opening weekend, there wasn’t a demographic you didn’t see make a stop by. The mayor of Midvale Dustin Gettel visited to cut the ceremonial ribbon, paranormal investigators set up an SLS camera, body jewelry was offered in the back room, creators and mystics established their stands and there were even a few ball pythons with Katie’s Little Critters who popped out for a photoshoot! Vendors shared the space for free, showcasing their creativity with little risk; a mutual aid raffle and donation drop-off is open for individuals affected by the Midvale Apartment Fires earlier this August, and ultimately the community was encouraged to foster a love for the craft in whichever way they choose, from coffee and artwork to readings and handmade witches’ brooms. Shout out to Witches Brew Coffee Co. for the best caramel apple butter chai ever!

Establishing the shopfront has been a labor of love that didn’t end with the purchase. During the grand opening, I was lucky enough to meet the crew of friends and family who have renovated the home, set up the shop and directly supported its metamorphosis into the mystical masterpiece it’s becoming today. With their opening week coming to a close, Johnson shares that they have many hopes for Altar Ego, including full moon rituals, haunted tours to introduce the spirits of the home, “witch scouts” for youth who are intrigued by the otherworldly and backyard band nights with their ensemble The Witch & The Yard Ghouls – just to name a few plans in the making! Coming together against all odds, Johnson and her team are encouraging the reconnection of Utah’s roots to witchcraft right here in central Salt Lake, and I believe I can speak for everyone when I say I’m beyond ecstatic to see all the good that Altar Ego Apothecary will do for Utah’s expanding eclectic communities!

Read more features by Juno McKell:
Local Review: Queenadilla — You Won’t Survive This
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