Keys of Paradise, a St Paul based Pagan retail and online store, is moving to a new location this month. The move is prompted by a desire for a larger space with improved facilities.

Owner Cameron Cegelske said the lease on his current place was up at the end of February and he realized he had outgrown the space available. He set out to find a location that would allow him to re-install the library, has more room for retail space, a room to rent for classes, and still include the large wooden ancestor shrine Keys of Paradise took guardianship of after the closing of Sacred Paths Center, a Pagan Community Center.

Keys of Paradise owner Cameron Celegske during the remodel of his new location

Success and challenges in today’s economy
During the recession and even the rather tepid and stagnant non-recovery, many businesses have closed or cut back. Keys of Paradise, while Cegelske says they are doing OK,  has also felt the economic pinch, but chose to expand, “We noticed a drop in sales in 2013, a big drop. We’re hoping the new place will attract more customers and it helps we’re not exclusive to retail.”

Keys of Paradise is actually three businesses in one. They have a retail store where shoppers can browse in person, an online website which sells to individuals and offers wholesale, and a laboratory where they formulate their own offerings.  They are revamping their website to beef up their wholesale channel and have recently purchased Fair Maiden Fusions, a cosmetics and skin care line.

New location
Cegelske found a space that would suit his growing needs, but needed some work before he could move in, “It needed some TLC. I’ve been sanding floors and painting, trying to get it ready by the end of the month.” Cegelske and the Keys of Paradise staff are doing much of the work themselves, with help from volunteers. “We are still looking for some help with painting and prepping the new shop this weekend and for the major part of the move on Sunday February 23rd to move the shop. Any help is greatly appreciated, it’s not easy to move an entire shop alone.”

The old location, at 713 Minnehaha Ave E is still open limited hours and Cegelske expects the new store, at 565 Kent St in St Paul, to be open by March first. He plans to host a grand reopening and 5th anniversary event to take place after Paganicon.

If you are able to help with painting, cleaning, or moving the store, please contact Cegelske through facebook or by calling Keys of Paradise at (612) 293-5397.