St. Pete creator celebrates new space with friends

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — We first met Cassie Mrotek as she embarked on a new adventure in 2020.

She moved from styling hair to creating self-care products — essential oil sprays with amplifying crystals, shampoo bars and bath soaks.

“The coolest thing about the last four years is that I’ve had the opportunity to meet the best people,” Mrotek said.

Astra & Friends is now open at 242 Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Street North in St. Petersburg.

She’s faced increasing rents, buildings sales and new construction.

After four years, four retail spaces and countless pop-ups and festivals and markets, Mrotek feels like she’s finally found a home for her line of self-care products.

It’s been a collaboration with fellow creators and friends that got her here.

St. Pete artists like Chad Mize have a presence in the store, along with herbalists, illustrators — even a miniature succulent styler.

Think a tiny potted planter painted like a strawberry — with an even tinier air plant perched upon the pot opening.

The list goes on, complementing Mrotek’s pieces — and her small businessperson’s mission.

“I want people to be able to walk through this store and see just like a snack of St. Pete and how cool our city is,” Mrotek said.

Thanks to the makers and artists living out their dreams — one tiny strawberry painted plant pot at a time.