Back in the 1960s, the hippie movement was on the rise. A hippie was a young person who rejected the conventional ideas of conservative society, and possessed a core belief set revolving around the values of freedom, peace and love as being essential in the world. Being a hippie wasn’t just a movement; it was a lifestyle.
The hippies and flower children of that generation are now the baby boomers of today. And, while many still live those free-spirited lifestyles, a new generation of modern hippie has evolved to carry on similar ways of living, choosing organic products, being politically educated and practicing spirituality.
Bob Schriber and Jody Dietz believe that their shop, Instant Karma, located on Main Street in Hyannis, allows those who follow the hippie lifestyle to find everything they’re looking for in clothing, books and natural products that can help them on their journey.
“This particular business is a little over three years old,” Schriber said. “It was very popular from the beginning, even though it was a startup and we had to work our way up from bare bones. The community and the foot traffic were very enthusiastic about it. The tagline on the sign, ‘New Age Gift Shop and Hippie Boutique’ – it always raises curiosity. Once they come in, people find we have the things they’ve been looking for that no one else has.”
Originally, the couple had been thinking about “new age” products and opening a store that sold only those products – incense, crystals, dream catchers and the like. But they decided that those items might not hold their own in the long run, and decided to add the “hippie” factor.
“Everybody likes tie-dyed clothes and things of that nature, so we added those items into the mix,” he said. “We have many local followers, and have the largest supply of incense and crystals on Cape Cod. So, when anyone is looking for things like that, they know they can find them here.”
When marijuana legalization came along, and the potential benefits of CBD products began hitting the mainstream, the couple felt those types of products would make an excellent addition to the store. Schriber said the shop is now broken up into three sections – the new age section (incense, stones, crystals, pendulums, sage, salt lamps, jewelry, etc.), the hippie section (clothing, tapestries, hats, flags, signs, etc.), and the cannabis-relates section (smoking accessories, CBD products).
“CBD is the biggest money maker,” Schriber said. “It’s our biggest profit center.” As for what types of CBD products they offer, he said, they have ‘everything.’
“Sublingual tinctures are the best and most popular products. Besides that, there are the edibles, which include candies, brownies, honey sticks and all kinds of treats. There’s also infused coconut oil, bath bombs. Topicals are very popular, pain cream, skin cream, etc. But the tinctures are the most popular.”
In need of spiritual guidance or healing? Co-owner Jody Dietz has been a channeling medium since she was young and is well-versed in the different stones and their energies, as well as the tarot cards. She is also available to do psychic readings and Reiki healings by appointment.
Schriber has been in the retail business for many years and, along with Dietz’s expertise in the new age products, you will be sure to find your shopping experience at Instant Karma an unusual and memorable one.
Sponsored Content
About Ann Luongo
