They Opened a Witchy Small Business Offering a Service Beloved By Many. Then a Police Officer Told Them It Was Illegal.
Beck Lawrence, 26, just wanted to spread the word about their metaphysical shop in Hanover, Penn.
Key Takeaways
- Hanover Police told metaphysical shop owner, Beck Lawrence, that fortune-telling is against Pennsylvania law.
- Lawrence posted about the incident on TikTok, garnering support from the community and an increase in business.
A Pennsylvania entrepreneur got more than they bargained for after promoting their “spooky” small business in an interview with a .
Beck Lawrence, 26, owns Hanover-based metaphysical store , which offers several types of readings, including tarot 鈥 and was recently visited by Hanover Police Chief Chad Martin, who warned that fortune-telling is illegal in the state, reported.
Related: Plans to Sell a ‘Witch Kit’ Spelled Trouble for Sephora | 麻豆社
Fortune-telling is a in Pennsylvania, though “the average citizen” is typically unaware that charging money for services like astrology and palm reading is illegal, according to .
Still, the practice can be investigated and prosecuted: Earlier this year, a Lebanon County woman was charged with misdemeanor “fortune-telling” after a customer alleged they paid $500 at Psychic World for services that weren’t provided, per .
Martin, who was in uniform when he visited, said any complaints against the business would lead to a police investigation, per The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“It was kind of intimidating,” Lawrence told the outlet.
Lawrence posted about the incident to their almost 200,000 followers on TikTok 鈥 and received a lot of support from the pagan community and increased business, according to the newspaper.
Lmao last word was cops but ??鈾锔
Martin wrote a response to the viral TikTok on the .
“There was never an investigation, nor was there any threat of arrest in this matter,” Martin wrote. “With that being said, if a complaint was made against someone for engaging in acts qualifying as ‘fortune telling’ in the Borough of Hanover; this department would be obligated to conduct an investigation.”
Related: This Halloween Season, Real-Life Witches Share Spells for Money, Confidence and Success
Key Takeaways
- Hanover Police told metaphysical shop owner, Beck Lawrence, that fortune-telling is against Pennsylvania law.
- Lawrence posted about the incident on TikTok, garnering support from the community and an increase in business.
A Pennsylvania entrepreneur got more than they bargained for after promoting their “spooky” small business in an interview with a .
Beck Lawrence, 26, owns Hanover-based metaphysical store , which offers several types of readings, including tarot 鈥 and was recently visited by Hanover Police Chief Chad Martin, who warned that fortune-telling is illegal in the state, reported.
Related: Plans to Sell a ‘Witch Kit’ Spelled Trouble for Sephora | 麻豆社
