Sanctum Apothecary debuts coffee, tea, and herbal elixir bar in St. Pete
/Inside The sanctum apothecary & cafe, which has debuted a new coffee, tea, and herbal elixir bar | st. pete rising
The sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tea now fills the sacred space of Sanctum Apothecary, a family-owned herbal wellness shop in St. Pete’s Euclid-St. Paul neighborhood that focuses on healing the mind, body, and spirit.
Since opening in 2022 at 1903 12th Street North, Sanctum Apothecary has become known for its herbal remedies and handcrafted products. The shop has now quietly added a tea, coffee, and herbal elixir bar to complement its existing offerings.
“It can be intimidating to walk into our shop without knowledge of herbal benefits,” said co-owner and energy herbalist Adam Hubbard in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “This new bar invites people to grab a seat and let us prepare the right blend for them, whether it’s to help cool or warm their body or calm their mind.”
The Sanctum Apothecary and Cafe is located at 1903 12th Street North in St. Pete’s Euclid-St. Paul neighborhood | st. pete rising
As customers enter, they are greeted by a new L-shaped wooden bar, surrounded by shelves stocked with jars of Western and Chinese herbal medicines. One example is Astragalus Root, a Chinese herb referred to as the “Yellow Leader,” which is believed to boost the immune system and reduce stress.
The store also sells a variety of items handcrafted by Hubbard’s partner, Marija Preradovic, including skincare products such as French green clay, which has been used for centuries as a natural skin and face mask.
She also offers ritualistic items that are ethically harvested, including crow feathers from a bird aviary, white and blue sages, and candles used for spiritual cleansing and manifesting.
Marija Preradovic creates a custom tea blend for a customer | st. pete rising
Although a soft opening for the bar is planned for Friday, June 13th, customers are already welcome to stop by and enjoy a drink on one of the four rustic bar stools or in a repurposed old church pew.
Available teas include classics like Earl Grey and Chamomile. The Sanctum team of herbalists can also craft personalized herbal blends for customers seeking specific remedies.
“We focus on quality over quantity when sourcing herbs from organic farmers around the country who dry the herbs themselves,” said Hubbard.
Nitro teas, including matcha, chai, and a selection of herbal blends, will be available in the near future.
For coffee, the shop uses beans from Clearwater-based roaster East Coast Trading Co.
Although the café will not serve food, it may carry pre-packaged baked goods from a local baker.
The shop is stocked with candles, oils, and skincare products all made by Marija Preradovic | st. pete rising
Preradovic, who was born in Croatia, met Hubbard in 2019. She is an herbalist and Vedic astrologer, also known as a Jyotish practitioner, who interprets the position of planets at the time of birth to help people understand their spiritual journey. She offers birth chart readings, moon nakshatra readings, and astrological coaching.
Before opening Sanctum Apothecary in Euclid-St. Paul, Hubbard operated a practice and retail space at Station House in downtown St. Pete and also attended local farmers markets.
“We have ingrained ourselves in the Euclid-St. Paul neighborhood and get to interact with residents daily. The new tea and coffee bar will help us engage even more,” said Hubbard.
Candles paired with flowers and herbs from Sanctum Apothecary | St. Pete Rising
He also shared that customers have come to know the couple’s two-year-old son, who can often be seen “working” in the shop alongside them.
“My family has lived in St. Pete and Tampa for over 100 years. I'm most excited about the opportunity to serve the people who call this neighborhood home,” Hubbard added.
Sanctum Apothecary is currently open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, with the addition of the new tea and coffee service, the shop plans to open earlier on weekdays and begin operating on weekends.
Be sure to stop by Sanctum Apothecary to experience the new coffee and tea bar. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates on products, events, and wellness classes.
