New Moon Rising Gifts and Goods is a local Knoxville business that identifies as LGBTQ-friendly and feminist. The shop is owned by Lee Yarnell, a passionate woman who strives for her community to enlighten their inner enchantment.
Plenty of thought that was put into the creation of this New-Age gift shop. Before Yarnell achieved her dream of opening her business, she graduated from Tennessee Tech with a merchandising and design degree. With knowledge in the field and a desire to open her own store, she stepped upon a shop that would ultimately change her career path.
Her inspiration came from New Century Books and the crafted jewelry that eventually was sold by that store. The owner of New Century Books, Susan White, had a larger impact on her life.
Yarnell learned to appreciate the little things in life such as happiness and magic. This gave her the motivation to open her own store that offered those same appreciations. Yarnell spoke about her life as a teen visiting this shop and described her experience at New Century Books.
“During that time in my life, I found solace in a shop similar to mine,” Yarnell said. “It was a wonderful place to decompress from the outside world and recharge my batteries.”
Her business survived the pandemic and has persevered ever since with the help of other people to keep the store open. The name was thought out long before the opening of the store, but ironically “there was a rare double new moon the month she started business.”
The atmosphere and feel of the store is something like no other. The gift shop is filled with multicolored goods and aromatic smells, which stem from different products like candles and essential oils from plant materials. Oftentimes, the goods are handcrafted from several places outside of the United States.
This gives the store a sense of authenticity. Adding to the genuineness, Yarnell aims to work with organic and environmentally friendly companies. She also loves to cooperate with people who acquire the same liveliness and appreciate the same things in life. Yarnell spoke about her customers’ time in the store.
“My customers tell me it is very uplifting and brightens their moods when they come by for a visit,” Yarnell said.
Readings are also available at New Moon. Tarot card readings can enlighten about the future or the present and advise on how to handle issues that come your way. There are several books and journals that feed your knowledge into the deeper meaning of life and decorative bookmarks to keep place. Similar to the tarot cards, there are astrology readings and medicine card readings.
Josh Hinkin is one of the tarot readers at this shop. Hinkin spoke about his experience working at this New-Age store.
“My favorite part about offering divination readings is being able to offer clients a deeper understanding of themselves and what they might be going through,” Hinkin said.
Aside from many gift options, this store offers fun events and markets to attend. Last week, there was an aura and chakra photography session, an animal communication event, and tarot and astrology readings. Similar events will continue to take place throughout the month.
