Page 66 - SLO Visitors Guide - Fall 2024

66 FALL 2024 slovisitorsguide.com
Find comfort and peace at
The Green Omen Apothecary
When owner and community
herbalist Riana Martinez set
out to help her family and friends
improve their physical and spiritual
health, little did she know just how
many people would benefit from her
expertise. Today, Martinez shares
her knowledge and welcoming ways
at her unique and cozy shop in Atas-
cadero, The Green Omen Apoth-
ecary, where she offers a variety of
herbal products, teas, services, and
more to individuals throughout San
Luis Obispo County and beyond.
A passion becomes a reality
After 20 years of unfulfilling
work in the corporate world, Marti-
nez’s foray into herbalism happened
purely out of curiosity. While she
created various herbal concoctions
to help loved ones manage various
ailments, her sister asked Marti-
nez how she knew so much about
plants.
“It really got me thinking, How
do I know so much?” Martinez said.
“I figured since I was already creat-
ing teas for loved ones intuitively, I
might as well get some education on
the subject.”
As she started taking classes with
the Herbal Academy, her passion for
using plants for wellness grew. That
passion led Martinez to leave her
corporate job behind and start The
Green Omen Apothecary. The name
for her business was partially in-
spired by the book “The Alchemist”
by Paulo Coelho, where she learned
about the word “omen” and its
meaning – prophetic significance.
“When the opportunity to
open my shop came up, every-
thing seemed to come together so
perfectly that it was impossible to
ignore,” she said. “There were signs
Serenity awaits at
cozy herbal shop
and tea lounge in
Atascadero
of green, gold, white, and black, the
inside space exudes a natural yet
enchanting vibe.
A feature wall boasting a collec-
tion of local antique artifacts gives
Martinez the chance to express her
creativity and has become her
favorite part of the shop.
Outside, guests
may enjoy sit-
ting at tables
surrounded
by the
overgrowth
of ivy,
lavender,
sage, and a
bounty of
other lus-
cious green
plants.
“The biggest
compliment I re-
ceive from customers
is that the space is especial-
ly peaceful, warm, and welcoming,”
she said. “Energy is very important
to me. I feel if I put out the intention
of comforting energy, it will be felt
the moment you walk through the
door.”
Many customers are taken by
the selection of beautiful healing
crystals in the shop, according to
Martinez, and she takes pride in
offering a selection of locally made
products in addition to her own.
Find natural personal-care items
such as moisturizing body oils and
healing balms, house plants, and
more at The Green Omen Apoth-
ecary.
Relaxing tea lounge
Not only is Green Omen a retail
space, but it’s also a tea lounge
where visitors may enjoy made-to-
order beverages including tea lattes,
mocktail elixirs, and custom-brewed
teas. Whether relaxing in the shop’s
indoor and outdoor spaces or
grabbing a drink to go, there’s truly
something for everyone. Be sure to
ask about The Green Omen loyalty
program, the more you visit, the
more you save!
When it comes to herbal loose-
leaf tea blends, Sleep Sweet is by
far the best seller year-round at
Green Omen. Other popular blends
include Brain Fog and Comforted.
Among the many prepared
herbal beverages offered at the tea
lounge, the Golden Moon and Blue
Moon lattes are the top customer fa-
vorites. Martinez names the Jasmine
Aura, made with jasmine green tea,
honey, oat milk, vanilla, and cinna-
mon, as her current go-to drink.
“The feeling the Jasmine Aura
gives me while drinking it is heaven-
ly, that’s the best way I can describe
it! We also offer mocktail elixirs,
which are perfect for the warmer
months, and all my beverages are as
nutritious as they are delicious.”
All of the teas and herbs are
sourced from a California supplier
with nearly five decades of distribut-
ing herbs and spices from farmers
across the globe. In addition, all
botanicals are organic, and the
herbal-infused syrups are created by
Martinez in small batches to ensure
her guests receive the freshest sweet-
ener possible.
Atascadero
everywhere that I needed to take
a leap of faith towards my passion
for using my knowledge of plants to
help others.”
Green is her favorite color, and
Martinez has always felt old apothe-
cary shops hold a special kind of
charm that she longed
to recreate. It’s easy
to understand
why these
three words
hold such
special
meaning
for her,
and why
The Green
Omen
Apothecary
is the perfect
name for her
business.
Peaceful, warm, and
welcoming vibes
When planning the décor and
intention of her shop, Martinez
carefully considered the aromas,
colors, and textures as well as the
furniture placement. With touches
Riana Martinez, owner and herbalist.