Sacred Earth Apothecary owner April Turner enjoys a morning cup of tea inside her Yuba City shop on July 29.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Potions, spell bottles and healing crystals line the shelves at Sacred Earth Apothecary in Yuba City, a cozy corner store that recently celebrated its first anniversary. Owner Anneka Turner has transformed the space into a welcoming hub for women, offering not only unique holistic goods but also free opportunities for connection and personal growth.

“I think we have so much to learn from each other, but we’ve been so separated,” Turner said. “Social media has pulled us apart, and there’s no longer this face-to-face interaction, so I want to bring that back.”

Located in the Hillcrest Plaza off Clark Avenue, Sacred Earth is Turner’s first retail venture after years of managing contracting businesses. She moved to Sutter County with her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic and was struck by the lack of local holistic product options. Taking her husband’s suggestion, she opened her own shop, quickly discovering a passion for curating an eclectic, safe haven for like-minded individuals.

A cozy lounge area inside Sacred Earth Apothecary provides space for the store’s weekly women’s book club and community gatherings.

“It gets a little witchy but I’m ok with that,” said Turner.

Her products are largely natural, organic and affordably priced. All skincare is sourced from women-owned businesses in the United States, and about 90 percent of her clothing is also made domestically.

“I wanted to bring in items where people look at the price and think, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s great,’” Turner said. “I also wanted to create a space where women feel comfortable. Women need to make time for themselves, and it’s OK to be a little selfish sometimes.”

Sacred Earth’s décor reflects Turner’s personality and love of travel, featuring bohemian floor pillows, handmade face masks and loose-leaf teas. Many vendors are women Turner met during her travels, while others are local collaborators. Among the store’s biggest draws are Turner’s free women’s book club and classes which are set to relaunch in September following a brief summer hiatus. The first new book club series begins Sept. 10, meeting Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The group reads titles centered on spiritual healing that inspire deep conversation, and participants must be 18 or older.

Shelves inside Sacred Earth Apothecary are stocked with loose-leaf teas, herbs, and spices used in wellness practices, community classes or general purchase.

“We get pretty raw in here,” Turner said. “I have women sign NDA agreements because I take privacy very seriously. I don’t think anyone needs to have their story shared outside the group.”

Last year’s book club sparked a series of collaborative opportunities, including sound bowl healing sessions, reiki, and incense or soap-making workshops. These classes are free, generally suited for ages 13 and up, and meant to give women a space to relax and recharge.

“I’m not here to teach anything,” Turner said. “I’ve always felt my role in this ‘matrix of life’ is to hold space, help bring awareness, and plant seeds. The women I’ve met along this journey in just a year have been amazing.”

Classes are typically held once or twice a month. For updates, follow Sacred Earth Apothecary on social media or visit sacred-earth-apothecary.com.

One of the private treatment rooms at Sacred Earth Apothecary, designed to resemble the inside of a glittering geode, offers space for holistic healing sessions.