Could have seen that coming: Board approves new fortune-teller license near North Station

The Boston Licensing Board last week approved Niki Mitchell's application to tell fortunes at 205 Portland St. near North Station.

Angela's Psychic Readings is the first fortune-telling business to come before the board in years; past hearings did not always end well. In addition to palm and Tarot readings and "energy healings," Mitchell told the board she will also sell candles, incense oils, jewelry and, of course, crystals.

The board did not request proof of her ability to foretell the future, but did recommend that, as a one-person operation, she either post signs alerting people coming in to buy crystals or oils that she might not be available to sell stuff while she's reading palms or performing energy healings, or hire somebody to handle the retail trade.

The board made the recommendation at the request of the Downtown North Association, which represents North Station-area businesses. The group said it had no objections to the Mitchell's business, though.