Aquarius Rising – a staple of Parramatta’s new age scene for almost 40 years – has officially closed its doors.
Hidden just off George Street in the Civic Arcade, Aquarius Rising has long been a popular spot for locals in search of a unique gift or just someone to chat to.
First opening in the Parramatta CBD back in 1988, the store has always been run by local Regina Hinz.
Now almost 90-years-old, Hinz said managing the store has been an “exciting time” – but it’s time to close the curtain on her Aquarius Rising journey.
“It’s been a good time and I’ve met a lot of wonderful people,” she told Parra News.
“It certainly was a wonderful world to be in.”
Describing it as just not another typical psychic shop, Hinz said Aquarius Rising has sold everything from crystals, books and CDs, to dream catchers, incense and Tibetan singing bowls.
But according to Hinz, the most important thing the store offered was somebody to talk to.
“I’m not a regular fortune teller or anything like that, and I’ve done an awful lot of stuff that I’ve never charged for because there were people who needed help,” she said.
“I don’t want an accolade for it but I considered it my duty to help when it was necessary to help.
“If they needed someone to sit down with and talk, I did that… I made that my priority.”
Along with its George Street address, Aquarius Rising has also operated out of a shop in Horwood Place and in an arcade near the Roxy Theatre over the years.
And although Parramatta has changed a lot since Hinz first opened Aquarius Rising 36 years ago, one thing that hasn’t is the regulars who continued to frequently visit the store up until it closed its doors for the final time last month.
She said she considers a lot of them to be more friends than just customers.
“There are a lot of people who are actually still in-touch as friends,” Hinz added.
“They even have been bringing their children and then even their grandchildren, so I always considered that an incredible compliment to see some of the oldies turning up with their youngsters.
“So, I must have done something right for them to have trusted me.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.