Writer / Kara Reibel
Located along Ferguson Street in the heart of Broad Ripple village, The Playful Soul is an eclectic shop with a little bit of everything to soothe your soul. The crystals, aromatherapy, meditation books, Angel card decks, artwork and jewelry are all thoughtfully selected by owner Vicki Mack.
Longtime Broad Ripple area residents and business owners, Mack and her husband, Chuck, have owned the Provincial Kitchen and now Moe & Johnny’s off 54th & College. A lifelong gifted intuitive, Mack was looking for a peaceful location to do her angel therapy sessions as well as sell her inspirational items.
In 2009, she met Mother Nature’s Sun owner, Wendy Morrison. Morrison had a room for lease in the front of her business that would work perfectly. Mack took a deep breath and signed the lease. When the Morrisons decided to move to Hilton Head, Mack was ready to take over the space.
The ambience is relaxing, meditative and conducive to contemplation of what calls to you off the shelves. If one word was required to describe the Playful Soul, it would be positivity. The Playful Soul has become a sanctuary for nurturing the self. Upon entering, guests are surrounded with objects that make them feel empowered. With the addition of free Wi-Fi, Mack describes the space as a “gas station for the soul,” and it is every bit of that and more.
As I sit comfortably on the sofa in the front room by the fire, I see a unique origami mobile above me. This was created by Mack’s cousin, Birgit, in Boulder, Colorado. Birgit was inspired by her journey with ovarian cancer during which she folded 1,000 swans. Blessings are written on the paper prior to folding, then beaded and tied to branches for an added natural element to the art. The Playful Soul creates them as unique gifts for baby showers, bridal or wedding gifts, or for any other fun celebration of life.
The calendar of classes, workshops, meditations and other special gatherings may be found online, and you may sign up for their email newsletter, theplayfulsoul.com.
Visit The Playful Soul at 6516 Ferguson St. or on Facebook: The Playful Soul; Twitter: @theplayfulsoul.
