Inner Oasis – Mind, Body, Spirit

Tell​ ​us​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​about​ ​your​ ​business:  What​ ​does​ ​your​ ​business​ ​offer,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​long have​ ​you​ ​been​ ​around?​ ​ 

Inner Oasis actually began in the 600 block of 3rd street in 2009, offering events, books, and gemstones. When the landlord decided to move into that space we found the Mercantile building – The best location in town! It wasn’t until two kitchen shops in McMinnville retired out of business that Inner Oasis actually found its niche in the world. Now we are a kitchen and metaphysical destination offering all kinds of trendy kitchen gadgets, kitchenware, and metaphysical events and products. What a ride this has been. I’ve loved every moment of it!

How did you decide to get involved in this line of work?  How did your business get started?

In 2006 I retired, after 21 years of living overseas and working on US military bases, from The Department of Defense.  Arriving with a bucket list and not knowing a single soul, I attended every possible event during my first year here, then began to narrow my interests. One of those was a small New Thought Group, now defunct.  Inner Oasis is an off-shoot of that group maintaining the metaphysical roots in philosophy, products, services and events.

Tell​ ​us​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​things​ ​you​ ​are​ ​proud​ ​of​ ​about​ ​your​ ​business.​ ​  What​ ​are​ ​you known​ ​for?​ ​What​ ​separates​ ​you​ ​from​ ​the​ ​competition?​ ​

My team and I welcome all customers as if they were being invited into our home. Several times a day we hear how good if feels in here, how eclectic it is (and it most certainly is that!), what a fun place it is, what a wide range of items we carry. Inner Oasis is about people on their path.. if we can help in any way, we do so. Our tag line: A Healing Environment, Inspiration, Tools, and Gifts for the Soul.

What is your favorite part of running this business?

The wonderful people who come in here – they are now our community – our family.  When I was ill in 2018 and unable to help myself, it was this community that did grocery shopping for me, took me to medical appointments, etc. One of my (then) team, took over and kept Inner Oasis going.  

Even today, people come in with suggestions for products for the store – all of which we faithfully research and often bring in.   Some of our “Regulars’ come in often, “just to see what’s new and what you have moved!”   

I may own and manage Inner Oasis, with the help my outstanding team, but the shop truly belongs to the people.  McMinnville is the greatest!

Who is your ideal customer/client? Who do you serve best?

We have three sets of clients.
The local people treat us as a museum; if they have out of town guests they bring them here, spending an hour or more, just browsing, chatting and enjoying our very unusual group of products.
The tourists love McMinnville and have a great time shopping here. That is especially true of the Linfield parents.
The Spiritual group… it’s this group that often attends our ever growing collection of events.

Are there any special promotions, annual sales, or special events that you’d like to mention? 

Every 3rd Friday we participate in 3rd Friday on 3rd Street (McMinnville’s version of an Art and Wine Walk).  The 3rd Friday is also coupon day. if you spend $30.00 or more, you will receive a coupon for your next shopping trip.

Inner Oasis participates in all downtown events with special activities and sales.

Is there any other information you’d like your potential customers/clients to know about your business?

We are all on a path, if there is anything we can do to help you along your route, we’d be please to do so. We are open 7 days a week with before work and after work hours Friday and Saturday (9:30 to 6)

How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​see​ ​your​ ​business​ ​growing​ ​and​ ​improving​ ​over​ ​the​ ​next​ ​couple​ ​of years?​ ​

We have recently added more events to our schedule (a Sunday morning Meditation group and a Women’s Spiritual Group on Thursday mornings) and will continue to move in that direction. If you have suggestions, please do let us know