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Far from the wild meadows and forest ferns of the countryside, this metropolis is home to medicines based on ancient botanical knowledge, and cute storefronts to boot. To buy organic herbs, roots, flowers, and seeds in bulk, look no further than August’s Business of the Month, Flower Power, located at 406 East 9th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A. No need to look for it.
As you might expect, the atmosphere is cozy, with patchwork wooden floors, bundles of dried plants and branches hanging from the ceiling, and a slightly sweet earthy scent. Glass jars labeled and filled with herbs line the walls, accessed by a rolling library ladder that provides access to a floor-to-ceiling arrangement containing everything from ashwagandha to yerba santa leaves. We carry bath scrubs, incense, flower essences, oil salves, henna products, and more. We also have a section of carefully selected books for sale.
Owner Lata Chhetri-Kennedy, who has lived in the area for many years, said she often sees people along the way asking questions about her well-being or just saying hello (as long as she’s not wearing a hat). Sometimes it takes an hour to walk to work. And she has dark glasses). She opened Flower Power here in 1994 on the first floor of her 1903 row house.
Born in India to a family of doctors, Lata experienced first-hand the healing power of herbalism. When she was a child, she suffered from an incurable disease and was poked and prodded at the hospital, but nothing helped her. Eventually, she started reading her books on her own and, almost magically, discovered that dandelions and red clover (which also grow just about everywhere) could help transform her into her healthy state. I realized something.
Lata attended various Rainbow Gatherings where she met and learned from many herbalists and came into contact with farmers and wildcrafters. At the time, there were only two schools where you could learn such things: Canada and his school in Oregon. She continued to study under prominent leaders in the field. She opened the East Her Village store over 22 years ago with the help of her sister. She worked for a while at the long-closed Angelica’s Herbs, and is part of the East Village Wellness connection with the also long-closed Commodities and Natural Markets on First Avenue and Prana. I set up my own shop.
Flower Power is strongly supported by the local community, but is also a destination for people from all five boroughs and around the world. According to Lata, people from all walks of life visit the store because every culture and ethnicity has their own plant medicines and culture. Anna Baldas, an apprentice there, said the interaction works both ways, as people from different backgrounds share about their own and her grandparents’ experiences with different plants. Celebrities and homeless people are treated with the same respect.
Over the years, Flower Power herbs haven’t changed much and are reasonably priced. They are hosting many more classes and many of their former students have gone on to do great things. Today, the store features many items grown or made by those who apprenticed at the store, including Pine Cone Apothecary Elixir. Anna was clear that the store’s success is all because of Lata and how she has been a rock and provided countless opportunities for people to learn and blossom in the field of herbalism. Lata herself was hesitant, saying that all the people she works with are “the best people.” Then she picks up a small poster of her headshot that hangs on the wall of the store, pointing out people who have been there before, who now grow and teach in Brazil and Italy, farm in upstate New York, and work in the United States. He continued to promote the skills and successes of the six people he worked with. Learn about New Orleans after Katrina, or the “midwife in the bush” in Belize.
One change over the years, Lata said, is that interest in green and ecological lifestyles has increased over the years. “It’s a beautiful thing,” she said in front of a basket containing free pins to draw attention to the issues of fracking and Standing Rock. Additionally, today’s customers are more knowledgeable than before the Internet. They know what they want and why they want it. There are also more organic growers to choose from now, from Vermont to local rooftop calendula.
Lata was kind enough to interview me before the store opens at noon each day. People were waiting outside for the gate to close, a common occurrence for her loyal customers. Be sure to check out Flower Power, August’s Business of the Month.
What special small business would you like to see featured next? Click here to nominate the next one. thank you! #ShopLocalNew York
And here’s a handy map of all the businesses this month:
