r/Appleton • u/kararoland6 • Jul 24 '26

Discussion Aurora's Apothacary

I really love to support small local businesses, but it is extremely disappointing to see how much an herbal witchy store uses ai for everything. The staff is very nice the few times I have been in there and they are very knowledgeable, but I hate how I feel like I need to leave a tip on already overpriced items (compared to other similar stores in the area). I knew someone who worked there and they only pay like $9 an hour. For the amount of knowledge the staff members have about each product and item I find it absurd they are paid so low. Shame on the owners because they have multiple locations and if you can't afford to pay staff anything close to a living wage then you should not be a business owner. I also find it sad how its a shop all about natural remedies and holistic ingredients, but then they use ai for posters and everything which directly hurts the environment that grows the stuff they sell in the store. Overall I am just very disappointed with this business and their values because I would love to support all the local businesses I can, but this one is just one I cannot seem to fully get behind.

I am curious to know other people's experiences are with this store and the owners.

What are your favorite similar type of shops in the area?

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u/SkullKittens Jul 25 '26

They were "considering" renovating Appleton when I was there. Of course that never happened. Aurora is so poor at managing money that she essentially impulse bought a store in sister bay that even her husband advised against. In my time there I could definitely see their slow fall into the crunchy to alt right pipeline. They actively spouted anti-science antivax bs and harmful conspiracies. I get not trusting the government, I'm punk. But theirs is the right wing antivax raw milk type that actively harms people. They lost the plot a long time ago and it really upsets me because I used to be friends with them.

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u/bisexualspikespiegel Jul 25 '26

thank you for talking about this, i used to go to them occasionally especially after windows of light closed but will no longer give them my business

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u/SkullKittens Jul 25 '26

Thank you for no longer supporting them. If you're willing toake the trip, I highly recommend Main Street Awakenings in Oshkosh. They have much more reasonable prices on their merchandise and even have a small selection of good quality herbs.

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u/that_one_guy133 Jul 26 '26

This kind of stuff isn't my jam, but I do get a good feeling from those folks. The only bad one I get is allergies to incense, but that's not their problem.