Theresa Cangialosi recently opened SoBotanical Apothecary + Aromatherapy in a newly-renovated building and retail space at 48 E. Cross St. in Federal Hill. Theresa Cangialosi, who has spent 30 years in aromatic and holistic health studies, recently closed a space at 14 E. West St. that was open by appointment only to open this new store.
Cangialosi and husband Greg Cangialosi, a veteran of the Baltimore technology and startup industry whose positions include chairman and co-founder of Betamore and former owner and founder of Blue Sky Factory, found the Cross St. building when looking for a location for a new store. The long-vacant building was “a total mess,” according the Cangialosis, and needed a lot of work to get it up to code. This included new floors, a new roof, gas lines, and an entirely new basement. The Cangialosis bought the building, which was last used as an Ethiopian café in the early 2000s, and spent the last year and a half entirely renovating it.
They dug out a new basement for a laboratory and product development, renovated the main floor for the store, built an office on the second floor, and added a rooftop deck. Each floor is approximately 400 sq. ft. The exterior features large new main floor windows, glass doors, trim work, an awning, and a black and grey painted facade. They worked with Robbins Custom Builders and designer Christian Donnelly on the new store.
When patrons walk into the store on the first floor, there are many wood shelves carrying SoBotanical’s 100% natural products. These are made by Theresa Cangialosi and use essential plant oils from all over the world. Products include bath bombs, shave gels, hair products, face washes, soaps, beard balms, perfumes, candles, diffusers, yoga mat sprays, and oils for stress relief, cold relief, skin healing, wound healing, anxiety, headaches, arthritis, smell rendition, and much more. Oils can be inhaled, used on the skin, put in diffusers, and in some cases taken orally.
SoBotanical will also have a line for pets in the future. Theresa Cangialosi told SouthBMore.com that they are “always working on product development.”
SoBotanical additionally features a library of books on apothecary, aromatherapy, and holistic medicine. Walls made of plants will also be installed at the store.
Theresa Cangialosi told SouthBMore.com she is constantly studying the industry and has read thousands of books on it and traveled the world learning about it. She has many certifications and has worked with hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.
Theresa Cangialosi and her team, which includes aromatherapists Michelle Cohen and Kim Donato, are at the store to recommend products, give instructions, and custom make products to fit customers’ needs. To those unfamiliar with apothecary and her store, she described it as an “all-natural pharmacy.”
Greg Cangialosi will handle the marketing, website, and technology at SoBotanical. He told SouthBMore.com the store will have an interactive shopping experience and will look to sell products online in the near future.
Theresa Cangialosi told SouthBMore.com there is no other store quite like SoBotanical in the country and that its dedication and 100% natural products made in house sets them apart from many other stores. Greg Cangialosi described it as part of the growing maker and manufacturing movement in Baltimore.
SoBotanical will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 11am to 6pm, Friday from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, as well as for private events. It plans on also hosting educational events about apothecary and aromatherapy for the public, and blogging and posting videos online to educate customers.
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http://southbmore.com/2017/01/17/sobotanical-opens-new-apothecary-and-aromatherapy-store-in-federal-hill/
