SAGRADA is a purveyor of unique spiritual goods, crystals, devotional items, and books celebrating all spiritual traditions. We are grateful to have served our community in the heart of Oakland since 1994.

I’m grateful for the incredible community of love around SAGRADA. Thank you for embracing us with open hearts.

-Rebecca

Our story

SAGRADA was born in a 100-year-old shack, a former stable for the Telegraph Avenue streetcar horses.  When our founders, Mary and Carlo Busby began SAGRADA in 1994, 49th Street was home to a few artist studios and some storage units.  It was a 20x20-foot space that had no front door then — a pull on an old schoolhouse bell would bring the Busbys out to greet a customer at its rusty locked gate.  They sometimes wondered if anyone would ever find their little offering there!

However, slowly, like a plant, their little business began to grow.  After just three years of tending to it like a careful gardener, the Busbys took the leap and moved their business to the main street on Telegraph Avenue.  The area was still somewhat dreary back then with many vacant storefronts. Reflecting on their decision to move, they said they simply hoped to sprinkle a bit of beauty and life to what was formerly a vibrant neighborhood.  

With angels and star lights, the shop windows were certainly eye-catching and a frequent conversation starter.  Some neighbors asked them why they had chosen what they thought was such a forlorn locale, rather than the posh "Fourth Street" in Berkeley. However, one day early on, while arranging the windows, yet still out of sight from passersby, Mary heard a sweet little voice in wonderment calling out, "Mama, look! Its an angel!!"  She peeked out from behind the curtain of the window to spy the most beautiful little girl and immediately felt in her heart — "yes" — that was why they were needed here, in this place… They were holding light for this little girl and for everyone who pauses at these windows.

It is in fact those angels that caught my eye when I first glimpsed pictures online of our storefront from my home then in Los Angeles. SAGRADA was introduced to me by a dear friend in faith, who felt moved to share that its founders were retiring and looking for a kindred soul willing to continue to stoke the flames of the sacred hearth they mindfully tended for nearly 20 years.

With a flutter in my heart, I booked the next flight to Oakland. And within three wild months, full of synchronicity and wonder from Spirit, I moved my family to the heart of the city, a foreign, yet oddly familiar place that instantly felt like home thanks to its unique spirit of activism, art, and beautiful people who lovingly embraced us.

The "angels," or nameless guardians of this sacred space have over many years become a portal for countless sacred encounters.  People have been embraced there in the midst of those angels, people have been held, have been sung to, have stood in front of them and collapsed in grief over the death of a mother, and again a daughter.  

For those with the eyes to see, they know that those angels — and this portal we call "SAGRADA" (sacred in Spanish) — invites us to another world, another dimension where love reigns.  It is said that we cannot live on bread alone.  We must somehow feed the soul, water the seeds of compassion, hold ceremony, and nurture the sacred in our day-to-day however we can. 

We are blessed to have represented the works of authors, artists, activists, and healers both on our tables and shelves and have been graced by their presence in person at our shop events.

Welcome to this amazing circle of friendship and peace. Welcome home.

-Rebecca

SAGRADA began in 1994 with the name Illuminations. A lot has changed since Kim helped Mary and Carlo raise the initial flags of welcome. Thank you for being part of our journey.