Cricket’s Rocks and Roots offers aloe and amethyst for local shoppers

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Not everyone has a green thumb. Even fewer people really tune into crystal energy. But for those who meet either quality, there is a place along West Mulberry Street, perfectly poised to meet the need.

Kelly Smith grew up taking care of her mother’s plants. Her spouse is into crystals, so the pair chose to open a shop serving both interests. Cricket’s Rocks and Roots, at 113 W. Mulberry St., is filled with greenery, beautiful minerals, and a variety of hand-crafted goods. And a shopper would be hard-pressed to not find something that tickles their fancy.

Smith said she shies away from carrying large or expensive plants because her customers typically don’t have large houses or budgets. With that in mind, Cricket’s Rocks and Roots has a variety of smaller succulents, spider plants, and ivies in stock. Additionally, Smith offers advice and assistance in maintaining houseplants.

“If people just don’t have the space for keeping a bunch of soil and things like that, they can bring their plants in, and I will re-pot them,” said Smith. “If they’re having problems with the plants, they can send me photos or bring in the plants so I can try to help them with it.

“When you come to a smaller shop, you know that the plants are taken care of. If there’s an actual problem with the plant, it’ll be handled. And you know somebody can give you some guidance after you get started, as opposed to ‘Here’s your half-dead plant. Good luck.’”

The other part of the store’s offerings – the rocks, as it were – features crystals from near and far, offered as decoration or for their believed therapeutic qualities.

“We try to keep our crystals updated as much as possible,” said Smith. “They come from all over the world, so we had some struggles lately getting them in stock.

“They’re just décor, though other people really, truly believe in their healing properties. In all technicality, they’re rocks. But there are metallic elements to them. There is energy to them, and people harness that and use it. While other people are just like, ‘Oh, this is really pretty. I’d like to set it on my mantle.’”

Regardless of the customers’ intent or interest, Smith is versed enough with the common qualities ascribed to different crystals that she can make simple recommendations for those seeking relief from them.

“They may come in and say, ‘I have a lot of anxiety, and I’ve heard that there might be some crystals that might help me ground that,’” said Smith. “Then I would tell them probably amethyst would be a really good way to go.”

Regardless of why customers visit Cricket’s, Smith wants the store to be a place where all are welcome, regardless of their life situations or preferences. Everyone can benefit from having a plant or simply being around one, after all. That even includes a portion of Kokomo’s homeless population, who routinely walk along Mulberry Street between the Kokomo Rescue Mission and the Kokomo Howard County Public Library.

“We’re taking advantage of our location because we feel like we’re helping people in our community,” said Smith. “My spouse has a lot of heart for the underserved. I retired as a state case manager for food stamps and Medicaid.

“Our hearts are with the underserved community. Where some other businesses can be kind of nasty, and tell certain people to get away, we don’t. I’m like, ‘Here’s some water. You want some snacks?’”

Cricket’s Rocks and Roots is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.