The shelves were nearly bare, but people were still stopping in to say goodbye to the Blue Feather Books and Botanical Store, which closed Friday after almost 20 years in the La Grange location.
“The building was sold by the owner,” said Blue Feather owner Rhonda Day-Kooy. “He also owned the Magic Wok restaurant which we shared the building with and after he closed the restaurant he decided to sell the whole building.”
The Blue Feather sold spirituality based items, Day-Kooy said, but also was the place where the owner offered a variety of services including spiritual counseling, reflexology, aromatherapy and shamanic healing.
Day-Kooy who has a master’s degree in spirituality, describes herself as a “cross-cultural teacher of healing techniques” and said she has studied extensively in shamanic practices and has done spiritual work all over the country.
“I liked its medicinal aroma, relaxed environment and unique gift quality,” said shopper Vincent Kamin of Western Springs.
Day-Kooy said the store gave her the chance to touch one life at a time and develop relationships in the community and with her students.
“I have seen people get married and have babies and the people in the La Grange area are just wonderful,” she said.
She said the store may be closing but her work will continue.
Paulette Delcourt of Western Springs, a student of Day-Kooy, said her work extended beyond the store.
“In the last 10 years, Rhonda mentored, supported and coached hundreds of people who came through her doors,” Delcourt said. “For me, personally, she’s helped me rebuild into the business professional I always wanted to be by helping me manage change, understand how to better work with people, and most importantly understand myself better.”
Tamara Tanzillo of La Grange Park said she happened upon the store at a time she was feeling down.
“Walking into the Blue Feather was like walking from Kansas to Oz,” Tanzillo said. “My soul always felt nurtured inside that door. But it wasn’t so much the space as Rhonda herself. I’m very grateful that she will continue to offer her guidance beyond the space on Harris Street.”
Day-Kooy said she plans to continue to give readings by phone or by Skype and will continue to carry products under the name Blue Birch Limited.
“I will continue to do my shamanic work and we will also continue to have the same website and phone number,” Day-Kooy said.
She also will continue her year-long Risk Everything spirituality classes and said the store closing “is an ending but not the ending.”
Diane Dachota is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
