‘All kinds of weird’: novelty store to open in midtown Sacramento
A new novelty shop is coming to midtown this week. Set to have its soft opening on July 7, Ginger & Raven, Inc. will operate at 1731 L St.
The shop will sell unique merchandise such as candles, science-themed trinkets, Italian charm bracelets and “all kinds of weird stuff,” said Korin Friesen, the store’s co-owner. Ginger & Raven began as a pop-up at the Midtown farmer’s market in 2023.
Ginger & Raven started as a side hustle for Friesen while she was unemployed, she said. But as the pop-up gained more traction and support from its customers, Friesen’s side gig became a career for her and her husband. She previously lived in the Bay Area and worked in tech, she said.
The business will spotlight merchandise from other local vendors, Friesen explained. The store’s slogan reads: “Your weird just got local.”
We love this community, and we want to become business owners,” Friesen said. The idea is that we’ll focus on local vendors that have this fun and unique feel.”
Friesen, who was born and raised in Sacramento, said she’s excited to meet more customers and launch her business.
“We love the Oddities and Curiosities Expo when it comes through town, and I just realized, Sacramento doesn’t really have that local weird place,” Friesen said. “We love everything kind of weird and dark.”
The store will replace Strapping Midtown, which closed in 2025.
After its soft opening, Ginger & Raven’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Friesen said. The store will stay open a bit later on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, closing at 9 p.m.,
