In Kensington, a botánica offers candles, counsel and compassion

In a storefront tucked under the El on the 2800 block of Kensington Avenue, Ligia Rodriguez — a Dominican immigrant and longtime Kensington resident — has established herself as the go-to entrepreneur for spiritual goods.

Inside her shop, San Expedito Botánica, shelves are stacked with candles, incense, religious relics and ceremonial objects. The shop also offers spiritual consultations.

At any given moment, the space is lively: muffled speeches drift from her husband, Alfredo Rodriguez, counseling clients in the back; customers chat with Rodriguez at the counter; and passersby pause at the windows, drawn in by rows of religious figurines.

Rodriguez keeps the business going because she believes what she sells — and the knowledge shared by her staff — can help people in pain. She considers herself a spiritual healer.

“I always knew I could help people with their ailments or their illnesses,” she said. “I can help this community.”

That openness extends to anyone who walks through her doors, regardless of their spiritual beliefs or religion, Rodriguez said.

But Rodriguez’s work goes beyond running a shop. She has built a livelihood that blends business with benevolence — offering meals and counsel to support neighbors in a community grappling with poverty, addiction and displacement.

Several times a year, she organizes food giveaways outside the store — cake, spaghetti and hot chocolate in the colder months — so passersby can grab something warm. When business is good, she buys extra food and fixes plates for anyone who’s hungry. Loyal customers often chip in.

“She doesn’t just inform them about spiritual work,” said longtime colleague Elisa Madrano, the store’s third and only other employee. “She also gives advice when it comes to people in need. Sometimes people come in homeless or crying. That’s what drove her to open her business.”

Still, running a small business on Kensington Avenue is not easy. Rodriguez and Madrano say the addiction and homelessness crises have worsened over the years.

“You didn’t see so many people on the street before,” Madrano said.

Rodriguez said it’s especially difficult in the mornings, when she arrives to find people sleeping in front of the store.

“When I come in the morning and find all these people, I say, ‘My friend,’” she said. “I have to kick them out and say, ‘Stop, I’m going to open.’ That’s hard. But I have to open my business — and you have to get people out.”

Rodriguez, a Kensington resident, hopes to see many changes in the community — most importantly, fewer people sleeping outside her store. She spoke about the tension between empathizing with those navigating hardship and maintaining a reputable business.

Her empathy is steady, even if complicated. She tries to balance compassion with the needs of the business.

“Look, you can’t touch it because those are things that people buy,” she tells those who come in just to warm up or handle items they can’t afford.

Rodriguez consistently tries to humanize the people who use drugs near her store, despite her grievances. She and Madrano explain to complaining customers that these individuals generally don’t act violently or disturb patrons — they’re struggling with deep-rooted addiction.

“They are hurting, too,” Rodriguez said.

The goal, Madrano said, is to identify what people really need and provide it — whether it’s an affirmation, advice or healing. Each hardship becomes a lesson and a reminder that their work is essential.

“Sometimes you just need a word of support, and you’re just passing through,” Madrano said. “You can have the biggest problem in the world, and if you simply receive a hug, that’s all you need at the moment.”

Despite the challenges, the candles keep selling. White “good energy” candles are the most popular, though those intended for prosperity and good health also do well. Sales — along with a steady stream of clients seeking spiritual guidance — sustain the business.

Rodriguez already operates a second botánica just steps away and hopes to open a third if growth continues as it has over the past seven years.

Staff recommend calling ahead to schedule spiritual consultations.

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