‘One, two, three – cut,” were the words uttered by Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Board Member Jesse Robinson, followed by applause as Crystal Connection officially opened its new space centered on well-being and unity early Friday afternoon.

The ribbon-cutting event, held in coordination with the Chamber of Commerce, drew attendees from across the area who gathered along Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro to get a glimpse of the new space.

Following the ceremony and remarks from officials, attendees were invited to take part in photos and enjoy refreshments, with organizers thanking the community for its support.

“Thank you so much for coming to our ribbon cutting,” Robinson said. “We’re so happy for you to be here and support the event today.”

He noted the continued growth in community engagement through events such as ribbon cuttings and local business openings.

Following his remarks, a drum blessing was offered by Bashiri Johnson to mark the opening of the space. Described as a call-and-response, attendees were invited to participate while focusing on themes of respect, unity across backgrounds and shared community.

“We show respect, we show homage,” Johnson chanted during the blessing. “We offer healing and wellness, connection and creativity… peace, love and humanity to all.”

The blessing emphasized inclusivity and recognition across diverse backgrounds, highlighting unity among people of different cultures and experiences.

Owners of Crystal Connection explained that the purpose of the new space is to provide an environment for reflection, creativity and serenity.

“This was many years in the making. We put our hard-earned dollars into creating a space that is sacred for everyone… to feel a sense of awe, a sense of wonder, a sense of self,” said co-owner Travis Ogden. “The world is crazy… so having a space where you can come into and just feel calm and peace.”

He emphasized that the space is meant to be accessible and welcoming to all, extending beyond a single focus to encompass a broader sense of healing and community.

“This is an expansion of that intention… it’s everything, it’s everyone in life,” Ogden said. “We just want to have that space, and that’s what we all need.”

Ogden expressed gratitude for the turnout and support from the community, adding that he hopes the space will continue to flourish and serve as a resource for those seeking connection and reflection.

“Thank you so much for being here… it means the world to us,” he said.