SugarPill: Full Apothecary in Capital Hill

Ashley Metcalf

Proprietor Karyn Schwartz crafts magic for her customers with the use of Apothecary, Culinary and Mercantile ingredients.

To the common eye, SugarPill may appear to be yet another retail shop offering souvenirs to bypassing tourists. But taking a closer look, SugarPill offers a unique and eclectic mercantile rare to Seattle, as well as free consultations.

Owner Karyn Schwartz started her company last February providing herbal supplies, natural remedies, and culinary spices. Her products appeal to a variety of people, and establishing a retail base to offer her services is something Karyn has sought for quite some time. The apothecary section features bulk herbs, the culinary area offers seasoning blends, salts and spices, and the mercantile category includes natural body and skin care products, paper goods and nutritional supplements. "What is very popular are my culinary options such as salts, honeys, preserves, chocolates, teas-all being from local vendors," explains Karyn.

With a varied background in social work, massage therapy and being a chef, Karyn is passionate about helping her community. Opening SugarPill has offered her a nice outlet to serve her family, friends and the public. "This has been such an amazing opportunity to reach a lot of people and be available to my neighborhood, as the best work I do is teaching people."

Karyn is thankful to give to back, since her business start-up was in a large part possible because of community support. Karyn had immense assistance from friends, clients, colleagues and her amazing partner that believed in her success. In 2010, Karyn sent a proposal to her community, in what she calls a CSA Investment- Community Supported Apothecary, based on the older model Community Supported Agriculture. Karyn sent a letter out to her community explaining her business model and services, and asking for support. Within a few weeks Karyn received over 100 responses with offers of capital and confidence. In a matter of weeks Karyn gained half of the capital she needed to open her retail shop, the other half was obtained through a loan by Community Capital Development with the assistance of the Washington Women’s Business Center.

In the future, Karyn wants to make her business more sustainable, and help more people throughout her community. She feels lucky she is in a position to help already, and hopes her business grows and reaches more people throughout the Seattle Area. Stop by SugarPill today to get a knowledgeable consultation, herbal remedies, and goodies along the way.

SugarPill 900 E. Pine St. Seattle, WA 98122 • T 206.322.7455