Bill Kirby came to Boothbay Harbor in 1988 on a road trip with his father. He wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but he liked the area, close to the ocean and less complicated than the world in which he had lived for much of his life.

After high school in northern New Jersey, his family moved to New Hope, Pennsylvania, from which he commuted to college at Trenton State College. College didn’t work out for a lot of reasons. It wasn’t the right time for him. In search of work, he signed on with Hunterdon State School in Clinton, New Jersey for special needs children. Bill worked for eight years there, eventually advancing to a position in administration that did not suit him. He missed working with the children for whom he cared deeply. It was time to go.

Bill’s next career was with Prudential Insurance as a computer coordinator where he managed claims and a room full of people who did the same. Eventually he was called upon by the company to train personnel at corporate offices. This job lasted seven years. Bill wasn’t feeling the joy. Corporate life paid the rent but not the soul.

While at all his jobs, Bill visited a big outdoor market called Zerns Farmers Market in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, where he met a young lady selling crystals. Bill would visit with her every weekend, buying one crystal and learning more about what would soon become a passion for the unique formation. Eventually Bill set up his own table at a flea market nearby where he sold crystals and shared his love of the mystical. It was a calling.

When Bill landed in Boothbay Harbor in 1988, he found a space for rent on McKown Street, across from the old police station. This would become the beginning of “Enchantments” and a captivating journey. Bill loved to study the metaphysical and found great pleasure in sharing his knowledge and experience with others who visited Enchantments. As time went on and interest grew, Bill expanded Enchantments to its present location occupying a portion of the building which then was Bravos restaurant.

Bill knew the building well from many visits to Boothbay Dinner Theater, established by Dominic Drago, eventually operated by Dixie Weissman and Terry McPhetres. As interest grew and more space was needed, Bill took over the whole building. He recalled the years of theater where he would often see the first person he met in Boothbay Harbor, Bill Harris. Everybody knew and loved Bill Harris and his endless artistic and creative talents. Bill Kirby actually sold Bill Harris creations at Enchantments, among them the popular “Wish Jar.”

If you ever have an unspoken-for-moment and feel a bit adventuresome, you might consider stopping by Enchantments. It is open seven days a week, weather permitting. There are so many things to see, it is impossible to describe, and if Bill’s there, he will happily give you the tour. Nothing pleases him more than to share the love for his life’s passion with anyone interested. The collection of unusual fascinations is endless.