Keep Elements Open

Please help keep an established safe space for LGBTQ+ and spiritual minorities open in Kalamazoo!

Elements is a beloved metaphysical shop in Kalamazoo, MI, located in the Vine district that has served the community for many years. They offer spiritual supplies, including:

• Crystals and gemstones

• Herbs and spices

• Incense and candles

• Books and tarot decks

• Psychic readings and healing sessions

• Classes on spiritual topics, including tarot, empath training, and sane approaches to spiritual exploration

Elements is a safe and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to explore their spirituality and connect with their higher selves. They believe everyone deserves access to spiritual support regardless of their origins. Elements tries to offer a place to gain some balance in an age of extremes.

Unfortunately, Elements is in danger of closing its doors. The owner, DeeDee Stille, took over ownership in March. Since then, she has struggled with a big downturn in business because of inflation and post-pandemic issues while a single mother raising and acting as sole support for three children with special needs. She handles all this while still serving as a volunteer for a food bank in Marceullus and looking for ways to integrate Elements into assisting a food bank in Kalamazoo.

Since becoming the owner, DeeDee has put constant work into shifting the shop to handmade goods by local artists and creators and creating a space for a diversity of practices in keeping with her community-first values. DeeDee is so committed to the community that she sacrificed her needs to ensure that the Elements employees continued receiving their paychecks.

While under all this stress, she continued to serve on the food shelf at Marcellus and strives to give support and care to both communities.

Earlier this month, DeeDee received a conditional eviction notice because she fell behind on store rent to ensure her employees remained supported. No one is at fault; it's just one of those tough situations. She managed to cut back on employees without a single layoff, but now she needs significant support from the communities she has served.

Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated. Your donation will help to:

• Pay back rent and utilities

• Support local artists and local industry

• Continue to provide a safe and welcoming space for people to explore their spirituality, free from judgment

• Provide a welcoming space for spiritual and cultural minorities in Kalamazoo.

We are grateful for your support, and we hope you will help us keep Elements open and back to acting as a much-needed community support for many years.

Thank you!