Downtown storefront boasts two new shops

Jessica Johnston and Thia Stanzione celebrated the grand opening of their new downtown storefront at a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning.
Mama Tried Boutique and The Broom Closet Metaphysical Store share the space, which proffers unique clothing and accessory pieces alongside metaphysical and holistic lifestyle supplies.
“We’re both encouraging people to find their authentic selves,” said Stanzione. “It’s okay to live outside the box and not fit into the norm that society thinks you need to live in. I think that’s what we’re both bringing to the table.”
The owners said fate played a role in their decision to open a storefront together. Both participate in pop-up events in the area, and they set up together at Greybull’s recent wine tasting event.
“We’ve both known each other for quite some time—eight years, I’d say,” Johnston said. “We went to dinner together to celebrate a successful pop-up, and we talked about this idea.”
She said the notion of a small business that didn’t require “a crazy amount of inventory” appealed to them both.
It wasn’t long after that the Wyld Sage Coffee House went up for sale.
“It all just fell into place,” Stanzione said. “We were just talking about how it’d be a perfect area.”
The blended shop has allowed the pair to continue sharing their passions while embarking on a new business journey together.
Johnston opened Mama Tried Boutique three years ago and primarily operated online and through pop-ups.
“My business starts with me being a shopaholic. I live in Wyoming, but I’m not necessarily a cowgirl,” Johnston explained. “I like things a little funky, I like things a little outside the box, so I’m excited to bring that to a small town.”
Her boutique offers women’s clothing, accessories and purses. Johnston will also sell authentic handmade Native American jewelry to honor her culture. Her father is part of the Winnebago tribe.
“This is my time to venture out a little more,” she said.
Stanzione launched The Broom Closet Metaphysical Store a year ago, “but this has been my lifestyle since I was little.” She started attending pop-ups in order to establish a more “sticks and bricks” store.
“My mission for my store is to bring a little more education to the public and the community to understand what exactly the metaphysical and holistic lifestyle is about. It’s not as scary as people think it is. It’s spiritual healing.”
Stanzione will sell metaphysical and holistic tools and devices, such as tarot cards, divination boards, healing crystals, Zen décor and meditation supplies.
“I found out there are actually quite a few people in town that practice the same kind of lifestyle, and there is no other place around here where you can get the supplies or tools you need,” she said.
The store includes a room where Stanzione will do tarot readings and customers can create custom-made spell jars, though the former service is still a couple months down the road.
“Once the room is complete, I will start offering tarot readings on a very limited basis because that does take a lot of energy and time,” she said.
The owners are eager to interact with everyone who comes into their store, whether they’re looking for funky accessories or spiritual guidance.
“It offers something different for the community,” said Stanzione. “For the people who are a bit more outside the box and like to express themselves-”
“You’ll fit in,” Johnston finished.
Mama Tried Boutique and The Broom Closet Metaphysical Store are located at 12 North Sixth Street in Greybull. They are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.