Please help us welcome Giovanna to the DSMG contributor team! This is her first column in a series called Behind the Biz where Giovanna gets to know the people behind our favorite places in Des Moines. Have a suggestion for who she should go meet next? Let us know.
Written by Giovanna Zavell, DSMG Contributor
Heather Ann Parker Roe, owner of KIN, is a lover of vintage jewelry and crystals. She began her career as a teacher, but now shares her love of mysticism and self discovery with the Des Moines community.
When One Door Closes, Another Opens
Heather met her husband while teaching at the same high school in Chicago. He, a native, had plans to move back to Des Moines to continue teaching. And so, a year after he moved, Heather followed and her “captive” status began. “Chicago has a pretty high burn-out rate for teachers,” she says. “I loved my students, but the administration in Chicago Public Schools and the Department of Education are so out of whack, it’s hard to keep fighting for resources. When I moved to Des Moines, I planned on teaching.” But, the universe had other plans.
Des Moines Public Schools misfiled Heather’s paperwork—a couple times. She took this as a sign to pursue her dream of having a shop. She already ran a successful Etsy, so it only made sense to expand her business from online to a brick and mortar. “My previous Etsy business was called Kin Vintage, so KIN seemed like the most reasonable next step and absolutely encapsulates what we are all about,” she says. KIN first opened in September 2017 and reopened in May 2018 in its current, and larger, location in the East Village.
“The word KIN means one’s family and relations,” Heather says. “Taken more broadly, KIN means we are all connected and all related.”
Offering An Element of Exploration
KIN specializes in mystical goods, crystals and jewelry. It is the perfect place to find high-vibration items to enhance your daily life and rituals. Oh, and did we mention almost everything the shop carries is either made by or sourced from women?
KIN offers more than just an in store experience. A number of pop-up events are hosted around town in partnership with other local businesses (like Art Terrarium) and events (like Hinterland). Everything from tarot readers to psychics, astrologers and modern palm readers, Heather works with local people to bring these experiences to others.
“We welcome anyone, whether you’re a practicing Wiccan or Atheist or just dipping a toe into Tarot for the first time,” Heather says. “You will always leave the shop a little happier, more zen and more curious than when you entered.”
It Runs in The Family
Since she was a teenager, Heather has loved and worn vintage jewelry—finding something special and lovely about the design and quality of each piece from the past. “You’re carrying on someone’s tradition when you select a piece of vintage,” she says. “You’re not contributing to any fast fashion or letting something be tossed in a landfill. You’re giving a beautiful, quality piece of workmanship another life.”
Heather has always been attracted to turquoise jewelry, not only for its gorgeous bluish hues. Growing up, her father had a large turquoise collection from all over the country. He took pride in his pieces, and would share his knowledge of turquoise and other stones with Heather. He also loved collecting crystals. Many of which sit on display in KIN.
“I lived in San Diego prior to Chicago, where crystals were much more common than in Des Moines,” Heather says. “When I opened KIN and had the combined collection of my father’s and my own crystals on a wall display, people would ask if they were for sale. I quickly realized that people were looking for a curated selection of crystals in Des Moines.” Heather quickly went to work finding crystal vendors that shared her values and were willing to work with her to slowly start stocking her shop.
Each crystal found in the store is hand picked by Heather. That means there is no purchasing of crystals over the internet. Ever. Instead, Heather travels around the country to shows where she can meet vendors, and crystals, in person. “I like to know where my crystals are sourced from and be able to feel the vibe of the people who are selling them,” she says. “I strongly dislike buying over the internet. I can’t get a feel for the energy of the rocks or the person selling them unless it’s in person.” She works with as many women rockhounds and business owners as possible.
Last year, Heather and her family mined clear quartz in Arkansas and brought it back to the shop. Just like her father shared with her, Heather is helping her own children become rock hunters and find excitement around rocks and crystals.
Spreading the Small Business Love
There are so many amazing small businesses here in Des Moines, and we love to love them. We asked Heather what being a part of this community means to her.
“Small business truly is the lifeblood of a town or city,” she says. “The places you want to take your friends and family when they’re in town, the places that leave positive memories in your mind—those are what keep places ticking. As a small business owner, I’m so much more conscious of taking a good day in the shop and spreading it around. I will make a donation to a local person or place in need, I’ll get coffee on the corner or lunch across the street. I try to buy small when and wherever possible. The money that comes into my business goes right back into the local economy.”
View from second floor of KIN
Best Buys for Good Vibes
Thinking about adding a new item to your jewelry box? Or maybe explore a more mystical side of life? Here are a few of Heather’s favorites in the shop now.
- Airmail Designs—a local candle line made by Kati Oetken
- Seasonal Boxes—handpicked and crafted by Heather herself to correspond with the equinoxes and solstices
- Amber and Sterling Rings by Anna—Heather’s father first purchased a ring from Anna for her when she was in her teens. Their relationship has lasted decades and Anna has been in the amber business since the 1990s
- Kindred Auras—an aura photography business Heather just launched this past November. The camera will read your energy and produce your aura on film, and it gives you a printed readout of what the colors of your aura mean. This experience is only available on certain days, so be sure to visit the website to book an appointment
Go Visit KIN
Sunday 11AM–3PM
Monday 11AM–5PM
Tuesday 11AM–5PM
Wednesday 11AM–5PM
Thursday 11AM–5PM
Friday 11AM–6PM
Saturday 11AM–5PM
Want more?
Want more behind the scenes of cool people and businesses in Des Moines. Check out our “Meet” category at the link below.