Colorado spirituality bookstore named Isis gets vandalized

Associated Press

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 | 3:08 p.m.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A Denver-area store called Isis Books & Gifts wants the world to know its name comes from the Egyptian goddess of healing and motherhood and it isn't run by terrorists.

Co-owner Jeff Harrison said Wednesday that the suburban Denver shop has been vandalized five times in the past year or so, probably by people who mistake the name for ISIS, one of the acronyms for the Islamic State terrorist group.

The latest vandalism came last weekend when a store sign was smashed after the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 129 people.

The store sells books and gifts related to spirituality, religion and healing.

"Isis is the name of an Egyptian goddess, 3,500 years old at least, the goddess of women and healing and childbirth — basically the antithesis of everything the terrorists are about," he said.

Harrison suspects the vandals are "some ignorant people believing that somehow the terrorists have a store, a gift store, in the middle of Denver, Colorado."

Harrison didn't file a police report. He and his wife, Karen, have learned to put up with vandalism over the years, he said.

The store has been around since 1980 under the Isis name. The Harrisons have owned it since 1997.

Jeff Harrison said he's heard from other businesses with "Isis" in their names, asking if they planned to change. He tells them no.

"For now, we are definitely sticking with the name," he said.

The store has not suffered from the name confusion.

"Business has been fine. Actually on the uptick," Harrison said.