11/26/2021
Natural Healings is Changing!
In the last 24 years, you may have visited Natural Healings - Gift and Candle Store located in the blue and white Victorian house at 1034 Court Street, Martinez. The circa 1885-1895 building was converted into offices in the early 70’s. During their tenure, co-owners and Underground Echoes columnists Judie and Joseph Palmer, created a feeling of home for anyone who entered their establishment including hosting and producing numerous holiday community events that have triggered lingering nostalgic memories for all involved. However, on December 1, 2021 Natural Healings will have officially moved to its new Martinez location ending its retail division. In celebration, they are having a special retail close-out sale on all products, store furnishings, and more today through Sunday from 12 – 5pm.
Since founding Natural Healings, the Palmers have donated to the community their time, money, and creative talents. When they opened their doors September 1, 1998 they immediately joined a newly forming downtown merchant association that eventually became known as Olde Towne Martinez Association (OTMA). Beginning in 1999, OTMA was responsible for producing the first Saturday events held every month on Main Street from Spring through Fall. Joseph was OTMA’s first elected president and by 2001, OTMA became Martinez Main St. now Downtown Martinez & Company.
After the 9/11 attack and the loss of the City’s official Christmas tree located at the Main Street’s Plaza, Joseph got the idea of putting lights on a live 65’ Redwood located on the corner of Pine and Court. After approaching their next-door neighbor, NECA’s president Mike Geller, the Tree of Spirit was born to inspire and give hope at a time when it was badly needed. With the help of many volunteers, several corporate sponsors, and the City of Martinez, the Tree of Spirit became the city’s official Christmas tree for 19 years.
In conjunction with the day’s events, Natural Healings was known as the hot cocoa stop. All kinds of fixings were made available including different flavors of marshmallows and whipped cream. Along with the chance to meet Frosty, kids would be able to engage in all kinds of crafts. After the light parade, the community would gather to sing with the community chorus, release their wishes through the wishing bowl, and participate in the tree lighting countdown with Santa and Martinez’s Mayor.
After the tree lighting occurred the first Friday after Thanksgiving, Moonlight Thursdays began. Do any of you remember seeing the banners hanging from downtown light poles during December? They were purchased by Natural Healings and donated for the event. Downtown merchants would stay open late Thursday’s for Holiday shoppers and light up their stores. Joseph even put lights up on the County Library, Veteran’s Hall and the corner McDonald’s. Their friends the Hodgson’s, owners of Fancy Ferriage by Horse & Carriage, would offer Christmas Carriage rides up and down Main Street offering stops for shoppers.
Along with the Hodgson’s and Char West of Char’s Flowers, the Palmer’s founded Olde Towne Heritage Inc. to produce several other events: Halloween’s Phantom Wagon Rides, Valentine’s Romantic Tryst, and Mother’s Day Rides. Numerous Downtown merchants assisted by donating items for the creation of goodie bags given to every rider, while the Palmer’s would take care of the reservations, collect the items, and organize the rides.
To this day, people still talk about the Phantom Wagon Rides. As Natural Healings served as the start and end point, the house was fully decorated inside and out with many mechanical pieces serving to entertain riders as they waited for their turn. During the 20-minute ride, some of the darker stories of Martinez’s origins were told like the “Last Hanging”, the “Gun Fight/Shootout” in the Plaza, and more. The rides got so popular, that the goodie bags would fill up an entire room and the once weekend event was increased to two.
For the Valentine’s and Mother’s Day events, participants would ride in Fancy Ferriage’s white Cinderella carriage after being offered warm drinks and appetizers indoors while they waited. Afterwards, couples were given a coupon to their chosen restaurant for dinner, along with flowers, chocolates, and other surprises. A couple married earlier at the court house, used the ride to start their honeymoon. There were even a couple of marriage proposals during and after the ride.
Then there was the famous cat “Bruce the Masseuse”. Bruce was an extremely social black and grey tabby that showed up one day at the Palmer’s home. After noticing her great personality, she was brought to Natural Healings and became its mascot for 17 years. It didn’t take long to become well known and liked throughout the neighborhood. She (yes, she) would stand outside near the sidewalk, get pets from passersby and draw them into the store. Her claim to fame happened when Dave’s Weird and Wacky Stories heard about her “purrfect” massage techniques. She was a natural for the camera and after the show aired locally, two newspaper articles followed including national coverage, sealing the deal.
Last, but not least was the Palmer’s wedding on the front porch of Natural Healings. An organizer for the 1999 New Year’s Eve First Night event convinced them to get married during it. This gave them only seven weeks to put it together with Judie’s best friend Margaret making her wedding dress from scratch. Joseph helped sew on most of the pearls and some of the sequins to its lace. A Contra Costa Times photographer and journalist followed them 24 hours prior to their nuptials to document them as the last couple to marry in Contra Costa in the 1900’s, just prior to midnight. Afterwards they enjoyed a unique reception of First Night’s fireworks and their first dance held on the mainstage.
If you want a chance to reminisce and get some great deals on product, furniture, displays and more, please visit them today through Sunday from 12 – 5 pm. As always, they are ready to help you with their free hallmark gift boxes, bags, and wrapping, while supplies last. Natural Healings therapeutic massage services will be offered at Youphoria, 519 Main Street, Martinez while all other services will continue via phone or Zoom. Any questions feel free to call (925) 335-9396.
