MARBLEHEAD — Kindred Spirits has quietly thrived for the last four years as a haven of energy, handmade treasures, and affordable beauty. Now, as summer stretches long into its golden afternoons, shop owner Valerie Wyman Warren is preparing to close her doors and return to her roots — just not the ones you’d expect.
“I grew up here in Marblehead,” Warren says, her voice warm and open, much like the space she’s curated since July 4, 2021. “This shop was about offering something meaningful and affordable, in a town where many stores can feel out of reach.”
Kindred Spirits, located at 139 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, is part jewelry boutique, part crystal trove, part spiritual sanctuary — grown out of Warren’s two decades of retail experience in Oregon. Her previous store, a sprawling 3,500-square-foot space, left her with a bounty of beautiful pieces and a desire to reconnect with the community where she grew up. That desire became reality in the form of a small, glowing storefront filled with vintage rings, Thai silver, handmade necklaces, and the gentle shimmer of quartz and labradorite.
“It’s not about being a weirdo selling jewelry,” Warren laughs. “People feel the energy in here. The crystals, the vintage pieces — they’re not just things. They help people, if you’re open to it.”
While the shop itself may be small, the philosophy behind it is expansive. Warren speaks passionately about inclusivity and accessibility in retail — her prices reflect a deep understanding that beauty and healing shouldn’t be reserved for those with deep pockets.
“God doesn’t care how much it costs,” she says, gesturing to a basket of $3 stones that sit beside ornate estate brooches. “It’s about peace, connection — maybe even a little path forward.”
With sales currently at 20% off and expected to increase, Kindred Spirits has seen a rush of visitors hoping to find a treasure before the final goodbye. Cases, crystals, even store fixtures are up for grabs. Warren plans to stay open through August, with adjusted hours (Wednesday through Saturday, 12–4 p.m.) and appointments available by phone.
Despite the uptick in business, the decision to close wasn’t easy — but it was inevitable.
“I love Marblehead. I always wanted to move back here,” Warren says. “But Oregon has more space, more quiet. I’ll miss the ocean — but I’ll gain miles of beach where no one owns the land.”
Beyond Kindred Spirits, Warren wears another hat: She’s a functional nutritional therapy practitioner, helping clients — mostly still in Oregon — heal through food and supplements. Though Marblehead has proven a tougher market for her wellness work, she remains deeply grounded in the belief that healing comes in many forms.
“I just wanted to bring a little happiness to people,” she says. “Something they could afford. Something they could carry with them.”
As the end of August nears, Kindred Spirits invites one last wave of visitors to browse, reflect, and take home a piece of something real — a reminder that small stores can hold big hearts.
And if you leave with a ring or a crystal in your pocket, Warren hopes you’ll remember: The real magic was never just the object. It was always the energy.
