Have you just needed to ground yourself inside Soulscape? At long last, they are open again in Encinitas’ Lumberyard shopping center.
This magical local favorite has been a destination shop since it was actually called Heaven on Earth over 25 years ago.
Lorraine Telnack was living up in Los Angeles and had a boyfriend who moved to Encinitas to surf. He asked her to stay, and she said she would join him if she got a job.
Forty minutes later, she stood in front of the owner of a tiny metaphysical store looking to hire a salesperson. The rest is history.
She got the job, stayed, and eventually married the boyfriend, and the owner sold her the shop a couple of years later when she was only 26 years old.
All of it can only be described as manifest destiny.
But that’s the kind of magic that can be found at Soulscape.
Eventually, Lorraine grew into knowing that this was her path and life purpose, to bring all the things to seekers on their path to enlightenment.
“I knew I was supposed to be in service,” Telnack said. “Everybody is the same; we all have our jobs. This is how I follow my soul and give to the community.”
Things were a bit knocked off course when COVID-19 hit.
Pre-COVID, Soulscape was enjoying steady clientele and an abundance of sales. Like many retail stores, they came to a screeching halt with the lockdown.
“I literally slept for two weeks straight — I had only taken three days off a year the whole time the store has been open,” Telnack said.
Opening back up now, Telnack says she intends to keep the charm of this mom-and-pop shop and continue to follow her soul when she purchases the unique and curious items she carries in the shop.
“I choose who I give my money to and work with people that have the same values and want to share the spiritual practices we promote at the store,” she said. “We are raising people’s consciousness and waking people up to live their divinity. We are a spiritual, conscious living bookstore. Metaphysical before metaphysical was a widely accepted concept.”
And let’s talk about the metaphysical community bulletin board.
This joint effort came to be when the owner of Lotus Cafe replaced the much smaller board inside with two big ones outside that direct locals and visitors alike to all that is going on in town and the spiritual scene.
Another essential local treasure.
Soulscape has a special relationship with their ongoing partner, Hay House, and has close ties with cutting-edge authors and reps of publishing houses in the spiritual genre.
With around 400-500 books sold per week, the average year sells about 20,000 self-help books. “The Power of Now,” “The Four Agreements” and “The Alchemist” being the top sellers year after year.
It’s hard to tell what the future holds for Soulscape and all downtown retailers.
Part of the charm is the wonderful staff who have woven their magic into the store’s fabric. We hope they are still there.
When you are seeking answers to life’s questions, just knowing there’s a Soulscape can be comforting.
Pop in and peruse the bookshelves. Play with the crystals. It’s a one-stop shop for conscious shoppers and gift-givers.
You don’t want to miss this magical experience when you’re in town — one that can only be had by standing in the loving energy of this Encinitas gem.
Remember that the homey feeling you get here is also within, present in the moment. Where your soul is on fire.
