House of Ravenwood | Photo by Diana Jaber | The Wright State Guardian
Corry Street in downtown Yellow Springs, OH features the House of Ravenwood, a metaphysical gift shop that offers its customers tarot card readings as well as a wide variety of spiritual items.
Starting the store
Co-owners Leah and Dan Gompf opened the store in 2004, and general manager Lorelei Wessendorf joined the staff a year later.
“Leah had always dreamed of a place where she could offer things to help people create their own sacred space and where she could also do her psychic readings,” said Wessendorf.
Gompf started doing tarot readings in 1961 when her mother taught her how to read playing cards and has been doing those readings for over 50 years.
“She wanted a place here locally where she could be able to do it and she’d feel safe and have a lot of people come in and learn how to do it as well,” Wessendorf said. “She loves stones, and she’d been selling stones for several years. She wanted to be able to offer them as well to the public.”
The store sells a variety of crystals that are said to contain energy and help people find guidance in their lives, along with candles, jewelry and other items to assist in finding one’s sense of self.
Challenges and experiences
One of the challenges that the House of Ravenwood has had to endure is evolving with the times.
“We never want to let rust on our laurels,” said Wessendorf. “We’re always trying to change something up, do something new and fresh, and we never know what we’re going to do from one year to the next.”
Manager Julie Lacey was a regular customer at the shop and is now employed there full-time.
“I like being able to educate people and to teach people about things that if they’re walking into the store for the first time, they’re interested but they don’t know and help them learn where to find the answers that they’re looking for,” said Lacey.
Wessendorf enjoys this as well and loves being able to make a difference in the lives of customers who are struggling with issues such as depression and anxiety.
“I can find them a stone that they go home and it helps them, and they come back a month later going ‘You know what? That changed my life. I was able to start working with panic attacks. I was able to put down depression and anxiety,’ and a lot of us are like that,” said Wessendorf.
Knowing that they’ve made a difference in the lives of their customers means a lot to Wessendorf and the staff at Ravenwood.
“That’s what we’re here [for],” said Wessendorf. “It’s to help people.”
Student opinions of Ravenwood
Sinclair student Taylor Pendleton is a regular at the House of Ravenwood and enjoys the atmosphere of the shop.
“Once you walk in, it’s like you’re entering an entirely new and exciting world,” said Pendleton. “It’s whimsical and exciting to see all that they offer, from books to healing crystals and jewelry and more. You could spend so much time exploring all that they offer and taking in the beauty of the ornate and artful objects.”
Wright State alumna Sarah Cavender is also a fan of the shop and ventures there to buy jewelry and crystals.
“I would recommend the store to anyone looking for good crystals or informative books on starting a spiritual journey or mediation,” said Cavender. “Plus, it’s always best to support local businesses.”
