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| Candace Smith | |
Candace Smith, the founder and longtime owner of the Garland of Letters Bookstore in Philadelphia, Pa., died earlier this month at her home, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Located on South Street in Philadelphia, Garland of Letters has sold New Age and spiritual titles as well as incense, tarot cards, jewelry, crystals and candles since the 1970s. The shop features a life-size lion statue in the entrance way and has been known for its elaborate window displays.
Smith was an early and devoted yoga practitioner and helped found the SKY Foundation and Yoga Research Society; Garland of Letters has hosted SKY yoga classes for years. Longtime friend Marc Goldberg called the store a "complete reflection of who she was." Philadelphia magazine described the store as a "metaphysical oasis."
Throughout the 1970s and '80s, Smith filmed commercials and radio advertisements for the Philadelphia Phillies and represented the team at promotional events. Dennis Lehman, the director of marketing for the Phillies during that span, wrote of Smith that "she was professional, personable and just plain fun. I can also speak for the crew at Channel 17; she lit up the studio."
Victor Sonder, an advertising executive who hired Smith in the 1970s for voice-overs and film work, said her legacy was "one of beauty, spirituality and love." Chris Wheeler, a former broadcaster for the Phillies, called her the "ultimate professional," noting that she would arrive for work "looking like a flower child," before becoming a "glamorous model" while always being a "down-to-earth, good person."