Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorin Baum.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A quick little backstory, before Black Cat Bodega, I owned Folklore Botanical, a landscaping company. After more than 20 years in the industry, I remember the exact moment I realized I no longer loved it. The passion for it was gone.
After a long day of work, I was walking into the house and avoided even looking at my own gardens. I honestly felt shame that I was neglecting what Mother Earth had provided and what had once brought me so much joy. I was completely burned out. I knew my hobby, my passion, had become something entirely different. I knew then that I was done.
Around that same time, I found myself being drawn back into spirituality and witchcraft, which brought me a lot of peace, clarity, and joy. I had been through some personal heartbreaks, and my magical practice helped me heal. I knew I wanted to create a space that could offer people some of those same feelings.
One afternoon, while driving around Grand Rapids looking for a small space, I somehow ended up in the Creston neighborhood. I saw a “For Lease” sign next to Decorum Body Piercing, pulled over, looked through the window, and immediately knew it was the place. Even with all its white walls and white fixtures, I could see this beautifully dark academia space.
A couple of weeks later, I signed the lease, painted the walls black, filled it with my collection of curiosities, well curated witchcraft supplies, and artisan goods, and three months after that Black Cat Bodega opened its doors.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning a retail shop is a lot like driving on Michigan roads. You’re going to hit plenty of bumps and obstacles along the way.
Opening Black Cat Bodega meant learning an entirely skill set and career. I had a background in sales and customer service, but never owned a retail shop before. I pretty much learned as I went, spending lots of late nights teaching myself so many different things.
There have been plenty of ups and downs over the years. I’ve made mistakes, had ideas that didn’t work out, ordered products that sat on the shelves too long, pretty much learned some lessons the hard way. That’s just part of owning a small business.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you can’t take everything personally. Not everyone is going to understand your vision, and not everyone is going to like what you do.
Early on, that was hard for me because I care deeply about people and am very empathetic. Over time, I’ve learned to listen when there’s something to learn, let go of everything else, and keep moving forward.
I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered any of it. I’m still evolving, still learning, and still grateful I took that drive up Plainfield.
As you know, we’re big fans of Black Cat Bodega & Folklore Botanical . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Black Cat Bodega and Folklore Botanical have both changed a lot over the years.
What started as a landscaping company has morphed into something that feels much more like me at this stage of my life. You could say it’s my Crone years. Folklore Botanical has become a way for me to share my love of plants, herbalism, and magick through ritual products that are made exclusively for Black Cat Bodega.
Black Cat Bodega was never intended to be a typical metaphysical shop. I wanted it to feel a little different, darker, curated, and not so easy to define, kind of like me. The shop is an extension of who I am. Everything you see in there is something I love, from products sourced from small artisans to goods from independent businesses. Supporting small businesses has always been important to me, and I wanted the shop to reflect those values.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the atmosphere we’ve created. People from all kinds of backgrounds visit us, but many of them have never quite felt like they fit into a box. My hope has always been to create a space where people feel comfortable being exactly who they are.
I’m also very proud of the Black Cat Bazaar that we hold each year with Speciation Cellars. I think it’s important to collaborate with like-minded businesses and create opportunities for other makers and artists to share what they do.
Over time, we’ve also become a place for the Black Cat Club, workshops, events, artist and tarot pop-ups, and community connection. It’s been amazing to watch people meet, create, learn, and support one another along the way.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people assume I’m intimidating because of the black walls, witchcraft, and dark aesthetic. The truth is I’m probably a little too empathetic for my own good. I wear my heart on my sleeve.
I’ve always been incredibly intuitive and tend to read people very well. Maybe it’s because I’m a Pisces, or maybe it’s life experience, probably a little of both. Either way, I’m learning to trust my gut, more often than not, it’s right.
Creating a space where people feel seen, accepted, and comfortable being themselves has always been more important to me than just selling products. I know that probably sounds strange coming from a business owner, but I didn’t get into this industry to make millions. I did it because my heart and my gut told me this was exactly where I was supposed to be at this time of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theblackcatbodega.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theblackcatbodega
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackcatbodega
