At 25 Years, Sherman’s Happy Rainbows Offers Teas, Gifts and a Haven of Healing

The following is from Alexis Mace's 2017 article for the New Fairfield-Sherman Town Tribune.  Current events are listed on our Facebook page. 

Like all physics- and logic-defying places (Narnia, Hogwarts, Black Holes), Happy Rainbows is worlds bigger on the inside. During the beloved Sherman store’s Anniversary Celebration, there was a constant circulation of about 30 people all afternoon, yet it felt enjoyably full, not crowded.  Amidst the sparkling floor-to-ceiling displays of crystals, chocolates, stones, antiques, Tibetan singing bowls, herbs, oils, candles, stuffed animals, books, scarves, handcrafted jewelry and artisanal teas, everybody enjoyed the glorious fall afternoon, each other, and the many wonders of this “gentle, healing place,” the motto of the store.

Happy Rainbows’ latest offering is to be a hub of talented healers and practitioners.  The anniversary event featured Reiki master/teacher and expert on Native American spirituality Elizabeth Kavasch, who chatted with visitors while giving away origami hearts and cranes.  Shiatsu therapist Peggy Ryan didn’t miss a beat between massages, giving a little shimmy while biting into cake.  “I always dance when I eat cake.”  Holistic lifestyle coach and Herbalist Alicia Conboy North explained her stress-reducing acupressure technique in front of a display of her handmade natural creams.  Kae Keen gave crystal readings, and behind the curtain at the back of the store, Melissa Merendino offered mini-readings with inspiration from her beautiful Angel and Tarot cards.

At the center of the gathering, proprietor Barrie Sachs made every guest—old friend or newcomer—feel special, comfortable and welcomed, just as she does for every customer, every day the store is open.  Dressed in a black silk Japanese-patterned coat-dress adorned with a Native American turquoise medallion, her slim figure floated through the crowd, seemingly everywhere at once.

Barrie moved to Sherman in 1990 to be with her partner Rolf Martin and drawn to the farmland that would allow her to grow herbs for medicinal use.  After running a successful children’s store in Long Island, “I fell in love with herbs,” she explained, and she studied to become a Master Herbalist.  This original focus is still at the heart of the store, where the back corner has floor-to-ceiling shelves of herbs used to create her teas and natural remedies.  “They are very old recipes,” she says of her artisanal tea blends, named for the effects they have—try “DigestibiliTea” to calm the stomach, and “SereniTea” to wind down before bed.  Barrie also makes custom herbal blends for customers upon request.

Soon Barrie began offering stones, crystals and the tools of energetic healing practices such as Tarot cards, crystal singing bowls, and aromatherapy candles, oils and sprays.  She tells a story of how, when she first became interested in crystals “just because I liked them,” she visited a store that charged $50 or $60 for their stones, prices the owner justified by saying she had bestowed “energy” upon these objects.  Barrie then went to a gem show, discovered the same items to cost about $4, and began to offer them herself, making these beautiful and useful objects available to people without the double insult of overpricing and charlatan claims.  Today, Happy Rainbows has expanded to offer handcrafted jewelry from local artists, books, antiques, art, with every object selected through Barrie’s discerning eye.  There is something for everyone, whether it’s a tool to enhance a spiritual practice or a beautiful and unique gift.  Many things are made by local craftspeople.

Beware, though—it is difficult to “just” shop at Happy Rainbows.  That’s because everyone who enters is irresistibly drawn to the most valuable thing in the store, which also happens to be completely free: Barrie’s genius for listening.  In her presence, sitting on a chair drawn up to the central counter, hours can pass like minutes.  Budget your time accordingly, so you can enjoy a gentle, fun, and often healing experience, as well as stock up on treasures for yourself and others.

Happy Rainbows will be open for extended hours during December to accommodate holiday shopping, and Barrie will also open the store by appointment.  Call 860-355-4959 for hours, practioners’ contact information, and special workshops and seminars.  The next event will be a “Tea and Inspiration” gathering from 11-1 on Sunday, November 27, offering conversation, ideas, treats, and healing techniques to boost well-being.

Thank you for your interest, your questions and your recommendations!

Email address: Happy Rainbows at BlueberryStudy@gmail.com.