Help Ritual Fight! Our Neighbors are taking us to Court!

Hello,

My name is Holly and I own/operate Ritual, a metaphysical boutique and studio in Yarmouth Port, MA. We are raising funds to cover our legal fees while the building's condo association brings litigation to us.

We love being a part of the community and for 2 years have provided metaphysical supplies, knowledge, and spiritual support, and more importantly, a safe space where people can come and just vibe, destress, and energetically heal and be themselves.

We furthered that support by providing space for and organizing a yearly metaphysical artisan market in our parking lot on Samhain, which supported and showcased local artists, makers, healers, and readers on Cape Cod. They were so fun, and we decided to expand the market into a June event as well around Midsommar/Litha. We were full steam ahead and then...

Quite to my surprise, the condo association rescinded my ability to hold any and all outdoor events, in perpetuity, at the last minute, 2 months before the June market and 1 month before our May Psychic Fair (a smaller outdoor event, that features 5-10 readers and practitioners). We tried a social media campaign to change the association's hearts and minds, but to no avail. I was forced to cancel the events and thankfully I was able to figure out a way to refund all of the vendors. This was, however a huge financial hit to the business.

I thought everything was quieted down after that, and was prepared for a lovely summer, only to find out that the Condo Owner's Association members had voted that I was no longer able to use my A-Frame sign (which marketed our reading sessions to passers-by), and we were no longer allowed to use our fire pit (which we use for cooking, and for religious and ceremonial use), and they also demanded I remove a stone patio that I had paid to install after they had granted permission for me to have it, 2 years previous.

These decisions feel both heavy-handed and retaliatory. The patio is a sacred space for myself and our customers, who go out there to relax, decompress, and be at peace. We meditate, we craft magickal items, we grow herbs, and we give offerings to our spirits on that patio. Our A-Frame sign is a standard business practice and marketing tool for the area, the loss of which has greatly impacted the healers and readers who provide services.

It was at this point, I retained a lawyer, and have been fighting ever since to come to some sort of a peaceable agreement with the association, but they refuse to communicate save to hand over demands via their lawyer, and I am not allowed to attend the association meetings, as I am a tenant and not an owner.

We have had the patio and firepit evaluated by town officials and professional contractors, who see no problem with its use or safety. We're friendly neighbors who ask for 6 days out of the year for safe, fun, community-building activities. We've been open, communicative, and welcoming to all.

and I found out today that they plan to sue me and my business to force me to remove the patio and pay them compensatory damages.

This will be the breaking point for my business. Between the markets and the removal of our outdoor sacred space I will not be able to fight the good fight, or keep Ritual alive. It's not an easy thing for me to do, but I am humbly asking for your help.

I am not a person of means. I am a commercial fisherman's daughter, I grew up in a home that struggled with addiction, domestic abuse, etc. I left home before adulthood, completed high school, and was unable to go to college because my father refused to sign my FAFSA paperwork. I entered the workforce at the age of 14 and have been hustling every day since to learn, grow, and add a little magick, love, and light into the world. I have worked hard and fought hard to build Ritual into a place where people can be in a space where they don't have to hold the weight of the world on themselves.

The members of the condo association, while I do not know their lives, I do know, are people of means. They present themselves as respected business owners and responsible members of the community, while at the same time attempting to force a small woman-owned operation that serves multiple underserved communities out of business. They have done this to at least one other business that I know of, also woman-owned and operated, and they are hiding behind vague and easily amendable condo bylaws to do so.

I would like to be able to fight this injustice, and I have the energy and fire to do just that, but I lack the money to do so. I have started this gofundme to help cover my legal fees.

I'm not the kind of person who would usually ask this. I'm angry, sad, and frustrated all at the same time. I'm worried for the future. I feel like I'm letting my community and my people down. Mostly I'm disappointed in myself.. what could I have done differently, if anything, to have produced a better outcome for everyone? What in these people's hearts is so hurt that they feel the need to attack this business, and by extension our community, in this way?

I would prefer to and historically have paid my own way, but I can't do this alone. If Ritual has taught me anything, it's that we're stronger together, and we can fight for what we believe in. Please consider supporting this campaign, or if you prefer, please come check out the shop and treat yourself to something magickal.

we can be found here:

Ritual Website

Our petition to Save Salty Witch Market can be found here:

Market Petition

If you've made it this far, thank you so much for reading this super long ramble and thank you for your support.

Highest and Best,

Holly @ Ritual