Shelves Of Two-Headed Curiosities And Rare Oddities Pack This Strange Little Oklahoma Shop

Some of the best afternoons in Oklahoma start with a plain storefront you almost drive right past. You step inside expecting a quick look, and suddenly an hour is gone and your hands are full of things you never knew you wanted.

The air smells like spice and smoke, the ceiling drips with oddities, and every shelf seems to hide a small surprise. If you love a little weirdness with your weekend, this is the kind of stop worth planning a whole drive around.

A Curio Shop Hiding in Plain Sight

From the sidewalk, you would never guess how much is packed behind the front door. The building looks modest, even a little ordinary, the kind of place locals pass on errands without a second thought.

Step inside, though, and the story changes fast. What waits is a sprawling gift shop crammed with crystals, incense, candles, jewelry, books, masks, skull mugs, geodes, and oddities that range from spooky to silly to downright sweet.

Visitors often say the store feels much bigger than it looks from outside, and that surprise is part of the fun.

For now, think of it as a cabinet of wonders that grew into a full shop. The shelves lean toward the mysterious and metaphysical, but there is plenty here for folks who simply enjoy strange, beautiful, and unexpected things.

Families on a road trip, retirees looking for a new outing, and gift hunters with a tricky person on their list can all find a reason to wander. Nobody needs to know tarot or crystals to enjoy it.

Curiosity is the only real requirement, and the store rewards it generously, one odd little shelf at a time, from the first step to the last.

Humble Beginnings Across Town

Long before it filled a big building, this shop was a little store in the Paseo District, the artsy corner of Oklahoma City known for galleries and colorful storefronts. Some longtime customers have been shopping here for ten to twelve years, and they remember those smaller days fondly.

Growth came steadily. Regulars describe watching a wonderful little store turn into something truly incredible, adding space, stock, and eventually a new shop right next door.

That kind of expansion tends to happen only when people keep coming back.

Loyal fans still mention the same things that drew them in years ago. The welcome feels warm, the selection feels personal, and the owners seem genuinely happy to share their collection with anyone who walks in.

There is something very Oklahoman about that arc. A small local business stays true to its quirky roots, builds a loyal following, and slowly becomes a destination.

Shoppers who knew it back then often bring friends and family now, proudly showing off how far their favorite oddball store has come.

Knowing that history adds a little warmth to every visit. It is a homegrown success story, not a chain.

Where to Find It on NW 23rd

Here is the reveal: Craig’s Curious Emporium sits at 1209 NW 23rd St in Oklahoma City, ZIP code 73106. That stretch of NW 23rd is a lively corridor near the heart of the city, easy to reach from most neighborhoods.

For folks coming from Tulsa, the trip usually runs around an hour and a half, which makes it a comfortable day outing. Norman, Edmond, and Moore residents can often get there in well under 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Out-of-state visitors make the drive too. Shoppers have come up from Texas for the day, stopped in from Louisiana on a road trip, and one person even drove eight hours just to see it.

Another regular lives nearly two and a half hours away and still counts it as a must every time they come to OKC.

Since the shop sits in a busy area, it helps to plan your route and parking ahead, especially on weekends. Pairing the stop with lunch nearby turns it into an easy half-day adventure.

The phone number is 405-524-9447 if you want to check anything before heading out, and the website is craigsemporium.com.

First Breath of Cloves and Spice

Your nose knows you have arrived before your eyes adjust. One of the first things visitors mention is the smell, a rich blend of incense, candles, and soap that fills the whole space.

Regulars describe it as a warm mix of cloves and spice. Some call the experience a sensual delight, with delightful scents greeting them right at the door and following them through every room.

A fair heads-up belongs here, too. Longtime customers note that people sensitive to strong smells might feel a bit overwhelmed at first.

If fragrance tends to bother you, consider a shorter first visit or a stop at a quieter time, and give yourself a moment near the entrance to adjust.

For most shoppers, though, the aroma becomes part of the charm. It sets the tone for everything else, signaling that this is not an ordinary gift shop but a place meant to engage every sense.

Plenty of visitors leave carrying a little of that scent home, whether in a bag of incense, a new candle, or simply on their jacket. It becomes a small souvenir of the afternoon, lingering long after the drive back.

Oddities, Masks, and a Giant Martian

Picture a giant Martian greeting you in the lobby. That is not a joke; visitors really do mention the towering alien, and it sets the playful mood for everything beyond it.

The oddities section is where the shop earns its name. Shelves hold skull mugs, dice, masks, fridge magnets, strange trinkets, and curios that feel equal parts creepy and funny.

One guest summed it up as everything from creepy, to funny, to witchy, to sweet, and everything in between.

Look up, too. Avant-garde light fixtures and hanging merchandise decorate the ceiling, so the displays stretch in every direction.

It is easy to spend ten minutes staring at one corner and still miss half of what is there.

Even shoppers who admit they are no occultist enjoy this part. There is plenty simply to look at, and the sense of discovery works for teens, grandparents, and anyone with a soft spot for the unusual.

Bring a phone for photos, because friends back home will want proof. Many visitors film little video tours, and it is easy to see why.

Something bizarre seems to wait around every bend, begging for a second glance.

Geodes and a Rock Hound’s Paradise

Rock lovers, brace yourselves. Crystals come up constantly when people talk about this place, and the collection lives up to the chatter.

Geodes seem to be everywhere, cracked open to show their sparkling insides. Visitors rave about the amazing rock collection, which ranges from small pocket stones to showpieces big enough to anchor a bookshelf.

Kids who collect rocks tend to light up here, and so do grown-ups who never outgrew the habit.

You do not need to believe in any special properties to enjoy them. Many shoppers simply love the colors, the textures, and the way light catches a good piece of quartz or amethyst.

Others come specifically for metaphysical reasons and appreciate the depth of the selection.

Prices vary widely, so browsing is easy on nearly any budget. A small tumbled stone can make a thoughtful little gift, while larger specimens are more of a splurge worth thinking over.

Staff members are often happy to share what they know about a stone, where it comes from, and what makes it special. Ask questions freely.

Half the fun is learning the story behind a rock you picked up just because it sparkled at you.

Ring Cases Worth Lingering Over

Some couples have picked out their wedding rings right here. That tells you plenty about how special the jewelry counter can be.

Cases hold rings and pendants in all different shapes, sizes, and prices. Crystal and jewelry lovers describe the selection as a dream, and indecisive shoppers appreciate that staff will patiently pull piece after piece for a closer look.

One visitor left with a Fordite ring after an employee explained the stone’s backstory. Fordite, fun fact, comes from layers of old car paint that built up in auto factories, later cut and polished like a gem.

It is the kind of conversation piece you only find in a shop like this.

Friends from Texas described spending a long stretch in the ring section, trying things on while staff went above and beyond to help. That unhurried service makes a big difference when you are choosing something meant to last.

Whether you want a small everyday band or a statement pendant, the variety makes browsing a pleasure. Give yourself extra time at the cases.

Jewelry here tends to have personality, and the right piece often reveals itself only after a few loops around the glass.

Tarot Decks, Books, and Witchy Corners

Toward the back, the mood turns a little more mystical. Tarot cards, books, herbs, and what shoppers affectionately call witchy things fill this part of the store.

Tarot fans say the staff give excellent deck suggestions, and some visitors name specific employees in the back as their go-to guides. Beginners do not need to feel shy.

Asking for help picking a first deck is common, and the crew seems glad to talk shop.

Books cover a wide range, from spiritual topics to quirky reads that make fun gifts. One road-tripping visitor loved the mix of mystical and downright fascinating titles tucked between other curiosities.

Herbs and candles round out the section. A regular shopper visits every year on their birthday just to stock up on candles, herbs, and incense, which says a lot about how dependable the selection is.

Palm reading also comes up in conversations about the shop, so ask about current offerings if that interests you. Availability may change, so a quick call ahead can help.

Even skeptics tend to enjoy browsing here. The artwork on many decks alone is worth a look.

Incense Deals and a Creamsicle Surprise

Ask a regular what they buy most, and incense is a likely answer. The selection is huge, and shoppers call it their new spot for incense thanks to plenty of choices and great deals.

A recently refreshed incense holder display has caught attention too, with visitors calling it awesome. Burners and holders come in all sorts of styles, from simple to wonderfully odd.

One traveler picked up Maya incense and kept exploring for hours afterward.

Then there are the body oils. One customer described a creamsicle body oil as so good they could hardly put it into words, joking only that they were upset the bottle would eventually run out.

Soaps and candles sit nearby, helping create that famous spicy fragrance throughout the store.

These smaller items make easy souvenirs. They pack well for a long drive home and fit nicely into a gift basket for a friend who loves cozy, fragrant things.

Budget-minded shoppers often appreciate this corner most. You can walk out with a meaningful little treat without spending much, which suits anyone who likes a good find without the fancy price tag.

Themed Rooms That Keep Changing

Walk in six times and you may see six different shops. Frequent visitors say the store is constantly changing, with fresh stock appearing on shelves every trip.

Areas follow loose themes, yet each one feels cozy and almost private. One regular compared the place to a TARDIS, the famous time machine that is bigger on the inside, and plenty of others agree it seems far larger than the outside suggests.

That layout invites slow wandering. Guests routinely say they spent an hour and could have stayed longer, and some claim you could spend an entire day and still miss things.

Another longtime fan compared it to a museum, a place worth walking through even if you buy nothing.

Home decor mixes in alongside the oddities and gifts, so decorating ideas pop up everywhere. You might find a funky lamp, a quirky wall piece, or a candle that fits your living room perfectly.

A smart tip: circle back through rooms you already visited. Things hidden on high shelves or tucked behind larger items often reveal themselves on a second pass, and that is when the best surprises tend to appear.

Staff Who Make the Trip

Helpful staff is the single most talked-about thing at this shop, and one story shows why. A customer accidentally left a bag behind at the front and forgot about it for a whole week.

When she finally called, the team remembered her, still had the bag, and shipped it to her home nearly two and a half hours away. That kind of care turns first-time shoppers into lifelong fans.

Visitors describe employees as sweet, kind, courteous, and knowledgeable. Several mention individual team members by first name, thanking them for help with rings, tarot decks, or simply finding the right gift.

Many say they have never met a worker without a genuine smile.

Service here tends to be relaxed rather than pushy. Staff mostly let you explore at your own pace but are clearly happy to discuss their passions when you ask.

For families with kids or grandparents who like to chat, that balance works well. You can wander quietly or strike up a conversation about a strange object, and either way you will likely feel welcome.

Friendly faces, it turns out, are as much a draw as the shelves themselves.

An Open Door for Every Kind of Shopper

Welcoming to all kinds, as one longtime customer put it, might be the best way to sum up the vibe. The shop is LGBT owned, and pride themes mix naturally into its eclectic, alternative style.

Visitors appreciate how inclusive the atmosphere feels. Friends traveling from Texas specifically mentioned loving how welcoming the store was, and regulars say the owners and employees have always embraced everyone who walks through the door.

So who will enjoy it most? Lovers of the weird, mysterious, and metaphysical are obvious fits.

Rock collectors, jewelry fans, candle hoarders, and tarot readers will all find their corner.

Yet the appeal reaches further. Road-trippers looking for a memorable stop, teens who love spooky decor, and grandparents hunting a one-of-a-kind birthday gift can all have a great time.

One visitor who admitted little interest in crystals still called it charming and worth the trip.

Some items lean toward the spooky side, so parents with very young children might preview certain areas first. Most families, though, find plenty of lighthearted fun, from magnets to dice to that famous Martian standing guard.

Hours, Timing, and Planning Tips

Good news for weekend travelers: the store keeps generous hours. Doors typically open at 11 AM and close at 7 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Tuesday is the one day it is closed, so plan around that if you are driving in from out of town. Hours can shift for holidays or events, so calling 405-524-9447 or checking craigsemporium.com before a long drive is a smart move.

Special events can bring big crowds. One visitor found the shop packed during an event and returned later to explore properly, then loved it.

If you prefer elbow room, a weekday afternoon may offer a calmer browse.

Budget at least an hour, and more if you enjoy lingering. Many guests say they could spend all day and still not see everything.

Oklahoma weather matters too. Summer heat and spring storm season can make an indoor outing especially appealing, so this shop makes a handy rainy-day or hot-day plan.

Keep in mind the neighboring new shop, where one visitor bought handmade outfits and jewelry, gives you even more to explore during the same trip.

Worth the Drive From Anywhere in Oklahoma

Plenty of stores sell candles and crystals. Very few make people drive eight hours just to walk their aisles, yet that is exactly what happens here.

Craig’s Curious Emporium blends the thrill of a curiosity museum with the comfort of a friendly local business. It started small in the Paseo, grew into a sprawling wonderland on NW 23rd, and somehow kept its warm, personal touch the whole way.

What stands out most is balance. The oddities are strange enough to spark conversation, the jewelry and crystals are lovely enough to treasure, and the staff are kind enough to make strangers feel like regulars.

For Oklahomans, it offers proof that something truly unusual waits right in the middle of the state. For visitors from Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and beyond, it can easily become the highlight of a road trip.

Go with an open mind and a little time to spare. Wander slowly, look up, ask questions, and leave room in the car for a geode or two.

Chances are you will be planning your next visit before you even reach the parking lot.