Inside Hierophany & Hedge, Covington's magical oddities shop
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Behind the ornate wooden storefront in Covington lies a world of magical curiosities, rare books and mysterious treasures. Photos: Courtesy of Hierophany & Hedge
There's a portal to another realm in Covington. It's disguised as a storefront, filled with magical curiosities and guarded by a cat with a military rank.
Why it matters: Hierophany & Hedge has become a sanctuary for Greater Cincinnati's oddballs, offering a little enchantment in an otherwise ordinary world.
The origin spell: Owners "Augur" and "Coil" spent years traveling the world searching for the magic shop they'd dreamed of as children.
- "We never found the magic shop that really sort of felt like what we imagined when we were 8 years old reading fantasy books," Augur says.
- So they conjured one themselves. By their first holiday season, crowds packed the shop, prompting an eventual expansion.
Hocus focus: Part museum, part retailer, Hierophany & Hedge features rare books, unusual herbs, candles and curiosities collected over decades.
- Customers regularly recommend new books and oddities, leaving the owners to wonder, "What penguin do we put off the iceberg to put another book on?"
Familiar faces: The shop's feline employees are twin sisters with delightfully ridiculous titles.
- Lieutenant Commander Atramenta Murder Paws heads security, while Baroness Belladonna Nightshade oversees "marketing and mayhem and alliteration."
The real magic: The couple, together for 16 years, say the shop is about more than selling spells and curiosities.
- "Our goal is less to move product and more to bring enchantment to people's lives," Augur says.
- "Less to move product and more to move souls," Coil added playfully.
The bottom line: No magical credentials required. The owners welcome visitors of all faiths and interests, whether they're searching for something supernatural or just a really cool candle.
If you go: 19 W. Pike St. in Covington.
- The shop is open year-round, but hours change weekly. Check bespokearcana.com for updates every Sunday night.