The Primitive Crow in Bozrah is not your usual antique shop. Owner Beth Coletti wears many hats. She not only runs an antique shop where the inventory changes weekly, she also makes her own candles that sell out of the shop. The brand is Farmhouse Familiars. Unique scents like Pumpkin Cornbread, Harvest Moon, and Cinnamon Cider line the shelves inside the shop.

The shop also holds paint parties, essential oil parties, and vendor fairs, as well as events for charity, including workshops by The Atlantic Paranormal Society, which teaches guests how to do paranormal investigations.

During investigations, the group goes throughout the building seeking signs of the paranormal. Not only do guests get to explore the supernatural goings on at The Primitive Crow, but they can feel good knowing that the money raised goes to charitable causes. Money is donated to breast cancer research or suicide prevention.

Coletti had originally opened the shop in Woodstock, but after three years she decided to close it down and open a little closer to home. The Primitive Crow has been in Bozrah for three years.

The reputation of The Primitive Crow continues to grow. Coletti has been on the radio station multiple times to talk about her unique shop, and just this month the shop was featured on a popular television show called “Ghost Nation” that aired on the Travel Channel on Nov. 14. The episode is called, get ready for it, “Antique Shop of Horrors” and sheds some spooky insights on the history of the place before The Primitive Crow opened its doors.

The newest addition to the shop is a Victorian tea room, which can be rented out for birthday parties, baby showers, and other small events. The room is named after Victoria Grace, the granddaughter of Coletti.

Colleti says that she’s always wanted to open a tea room, so when she decided to go forward with it, she already knew that she wanted to call it The Victoria Grace Tea Room. An event was held in the tea room to celebrate its opening on Oct. 24 as Coletti’s granddaughter and friends put on their best dresses, had a tea party, ate desserts, and played the day away.

I sat down with Coletti and two Primitive Crow team members in the tea room one afternoon to chat. Above, a turquoise-tinted glow shone onto an assortment of antique teacups that hung from the ceiling on ribbons. Sequined vintage purses reflected yellow gleams from string lights that decorated the room. Tranquil music played softly in the background. The setting really was perfect.

Currently, the tea room is only open on Sundays, which is projected by Coletti to change when there is no more worry of a pandemic. People can come and dine in at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.

When guests arrive, they can expect to sit down to a fresh pitcher of tea and hot scones or muffins. Then they will choose a seasonal tea from the menu that is served with a three-tiered plate of scones, tea sandwiches, and desserts, all for $25.

“That sounds like a lot of food for only $25,” I told Coletti.

“Oh, it is,” she said. “We send guests home with-to-go boxes because the food can’t all be eaten in one sitting.

Whether it be for the food, the antiques, or the uniquely crafted items, The Primitive Crow is worth a look. I look forward to returning and purchasing my Christmas gifts there this year.

Loretta Drain, a frequent customer at the shop, made a statement in a customer review much like many others. She wrote, “Love it! Always find treasures, sometimes from the past and sometimes they are crafted creations, always something new to see!”

The Primitive Crow is located at 441 Salem Turnpike in Bozrah. Due to the pandemic, most events at The Primitive Crow have been put on hold. For information on future events, follow the Primitive Crow on Facebook, or call (860)-383-4611 during business hours. The shop is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kelly Congdon lives in Groton.