Instant Karma Asheville

Instant Karma: Asheville One-Stop Hippie Shop
The Bottom Line:

Indulge your inner hippie at Instant Karma — Asheville's haven for free spirits. This whimsical shop boasts an eclectic array of products, including everything from incense to 3D tapestries.

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

If you’re a hippie at heart, don’t be afraid to let your true personality shine through. As the ultimate free spirit, you’ll feel right at home at Instant Karma, which dubs itself the “one-stop hippie shop.” With a history spanning over two decades, this unique store was all about the boho lifestyle long before it was fashionable.

Currently, Instant Karma boasts two locations in Asheville: the Lexington store near the shops of Broadway Street and a more recent addition in West Asheville. Both stores offer a welcoming environment in which all visitors are embraced.

Even if you’re not particularly invested in the yoga or hippie lifestyle, you’ll still find your browsing session at Instant Karma enjoyable. The store stocks a wide variety of items, several of which can be difficult to find elsewhere in Asheville. Chakra sprays and incense are a big deal here — and they make the store smell amazing. Pendulums and other spiritual tools are also displayed throughout the shop. You’re welcome to test several of the products on display, including the crystal bowls.

If you’re all about boho fashion, you’ll find several clothing items and accessories that appeal to your unique sense of style. The store also offers several Asheville shirts — perfect for proud residents and out-of-town visitors alike. This emphasis on local is by no means limited to tourist-friendly T-shirts; in general, the store seeks to highlight products produced in the Asheville region.

Perhaps the most visually impressive items in stock are the store’s many tapestries. Displayed on a wall within the store, these tapestries provide a true visual feast while helping Instant Karma stand out among other stores of its ilk.

While the many items sold by Instant Karma are best examined in-store, most can also be purchased on the shop’s website. Both the store and the website offer a variety of clearance items to please anybody in search of a great deal. Even when not on sale, Instant Karma’s products are reasonably priced.

As you browse the store, you’ll likely interact at least briefly with the store’s friendly staff members. These kindhearted individuals are always happy to lend a helping hand, so don’t hesitate to ask for feedback or advice. Tourists, in particular, enjoy speaking with the store’s employees, as they offer excellent recommendations for restaurants, activities, and accommodations that out-of-towners might otherwise miss.

While the products at Instant Karma are definitely worth checking out, the store’s main draw is ultimately the sense of community it establishes. The shop draws such a wide range of visitors that you never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll learn as you browse. You’ll arrive full of curiosity and leave feeling as if you’ve become an integral part of a close-knit community.

Insider Tips:
– Due to its welcoming nature, it should come as no surprise that Instant Karma is a dog-friendly store. Well-trained canine guests are welcome in both locations, so don’t hesitate to bring your four-legged friend inside the shop.
– Instant Karma regularly hosts special events such as workshops, tarot readings, and even aura headshots. Stop by the store’s official Facebook page to learn more about upcoming events.