Unique, delightful, helpful, EXCELLENT, and aesthetic AF. This place is both inspired and inspiring. I was worried it would be pretentious or I would feel not-cool-enough as a middle-aged grey person to feel comfortable, but the visionary person who brought it into existence and the whole space are notably warm, welcoming, kind, and receptive.
While this business is multipurpose / has more than one function and mission with retail variety and community gathering and education, it manages to not be confusing or overwhelming to navigate. As a neurodivergent person who often gets social cues wrong and takes things too literally, I am always wary of and super-confused by retail shops that have seating areas (ex. PT's local kitschy pot shop) and wonder if they *really* intend for people to make themselves at home to read a book or whatever, but "the parlor" in KALMA really feels like a place anybody is welcome to sit and pick up a book on any number of fascinating and/or stigmatized topics to read . I was also worried KALMA would reek of that headache-inducing power-incense smell so closely associated with goths, but not to worry -- the space is sensitive to people's need to breathe healthy air. The clean atmosphere is another thing that sets it apart from the kinds of retail spaces you most often find with lounge-around space (game stores, old-school video rental places, etc.); the parlor in KALMA does NOT have that second-hand loveseat with ten-years-worth of stale fritos and old socks smell infused into cracked naugahyde cushions.
Everything about KALMA is beautifully, mindfully, and even whimsically executed, including their web presence. It is rare and special for something to be so well done without feeling snobbish or humorless. This place is a real life-affirming resource and sanctuary on top of being a gorgeous and fun place to browse and shop, all while gently-yet-deeply meeting an under-served need we all have to grapple with our mortality. I've only gone in there once but feel it is a real treasure where accessibility and service are valued and offered with sincerity. It is a privilege and a blessing to have this business in Port Townsend. Really makes me feel ministered to on a bunch of different levels - I couldn't be more impressed. read more