Savage Spirit will be closing it’s doors forever sometime in mid-September. Starting with a sidewalk sale on Labor Day weekend, there will be great closeout deals on unique clothing and jewelry handcrafted in Moab. In addition, beads and beading supplies along with other craft supplies will be 50% off or more.

Cathya Savage-Haas opened Savage Spirit two years ago with a vision of providing unique, locally and regionally handcrafted clothing, jewelry and gifts to Moab and it’s visitors.

Cathya moved to Moab from Los Angeles in 1996 and began doing art festivals with her handcrafted clothing. A month later she met her late husband, jewelry artist Jim Haas, at a festival. For several years they travelled together doing art festivals. Wanting to spend more time in Moab, in 1998, Cathya and Jim opened Cave Dreamers, with Desert Savage clothing and Stoneage Jewelry, plus other handcrafted items by friends from festivals. Cave Dreamers became an integral part of the Moab arts and crafts community for 7 years. However Jim’s gypsy soul missed the excitement of traveling, so Cave Dreamers closed and Jim and Cathya returned to the art festival life. After several years of this, Cathya wanted to spend more time at home in Moab and opened Savage Spirit. In one of those funny twists of fate, Cathya ended up in the same location where Cave Dreamers had been. Many people remembered Cave Dreamers and were delighted to have her back and the store started very successfully.

But then the summer of 2012 was devastating for Cathya personally. Jim, her husband and partner of 16 years, suddenly became ill and died. A month later, her father died. And then two months after that, her beloved poodle Athena died. The store gave Cathya a reason to keep going and a safe place during her early grief. Then this year, business went down, way down. Cathya did her best to keep it going, but without her partner, she just didn’t have the heart to persevere. Finally facing the financial realities, Cathya knew that she had to close the store.

Luckily, as doors closed other ones opened. Cathya is going to go back to school for psychology and become a therapist. Sadly, she has to leave Moab to do this. And in another funny twist of fate, a relationship from 35 years ago was rekindled and Cathya is moving to New Jersey, just outside of New York City. Although Cathya is sad to leave Moab, she is grateful for the 17 years she had here, where she was able to find an amazing creative partner and able to make a living doing what she loved. Through her recent experiences, Cathya hopes to help others to move through loss and grief and just like a phoenix being reborn out of the ashes, find what new life can be created.

So take the time to stop by Savage Spirit, say farewell and pick up some beautiful, handcrafted items at great prices. Savage Spirit, 87 N Main