More than 600 essential and fragrant oils line the walls Widdershins, 620 Broadway in downtown Davisburg.
‘We do lotions, potions, oils and herbs,? said owner Autumn Anderson.
Widdershins offers an array of scented products, also including bath and body lotions and scrubs, homemade soaps, and incense.
‘I buy the oils from all over the world, from New York, California, India, China, just certain oils, certain companies make better,? she said. ‘I probably have 50 vendors that I buy them from. Then we custom blend them when we get them to make different scents.?
Widdershins has a variety of scents from fruit, floral, citrus, woodsy, oriental, and combinations.
The unique thing about Widdershins is customers can mix the oils to create their own scents, noted Anderson.
‘If you go to Bath & Body works it’s already done for you,? she said. ‘If you’re looking at cucumber and ginger, but hate ginger, you can’t just buy the cucumber. Here you can buy just the cucumber or just the ginger.?
The store was originally called ‘The Pampered Lady,? and started more than 30 years ago by founder Judy Rood. She was influential in bringing essential and fragmented oils to the mid-west. In her Holly boutique, Rood created scents, soaps, lotions and potions. Her own custom blends are still internationally renowned to this day.
‘She was the one who started the scent revolution. People all over the world know who this company is because people would say ‘Oh I know Judy, she made this scent, this scent and this scent,?? Anderson said. ‘From California to New York, she was quite the lady, she was quite something.?
Anderson took over ‘The Pampered Lady? in 1998 after Rood died, and moved the store from Holly to Davisburg.
‘I haven’t been in that alley (Holly) for 10 years and people are still looking for me there,? said Anderson.
Along with the move to Davisburg, Anderson changed the store name to Widdershins, which means ‘backwards in time.?
‘Which was perfect for the Renaissance Festival,? said Anderson.
Widdershins has been involved in the festival since it started 28 years ago.
While doing Widdershins part-time, Anderson was a designer and event planner, planning all the building shows at Rock Financial, but quit her job to put her full-time effort into Widdershins.
Within the first two months of being in Davisburg, Anderson has had three fairs to bring customers to her store, and all three attracted about 100 people, she said.
‘Every parking space is full and people are lined up outside the door to get in,? she said. ‘It’s just been fabulous, so I know everyone’s into getting more into community, seeing the smaller businesses succeed and buying their stuff from the smaller businesses instead of like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and the big box stores.?
With spring season here, Anderson said she hopes to have a concert series and other events like an art show and drum circle.
Anderson works with her daughter Paige, 23, a student at the University of Michigan studying Psychology and English.
‘She loves this oil stuff so much more than I do,? said Autumn. ‘She’s just really getting into it, so I thought I will naturally progress into the events and she can start taking over here.?
She will host a private concert by Jill Jack at the store on April 18. For more information about Widdershins and events, visit www.widdershinonline.com or call Autumn Anderson at 810-422-8320.