Meet Megan Varner-Duckett of Varner Candle Company!
Megan is originally from Seattle, she moved to Whidbey Island 3 years ago to raise her children here. She comes from the corporate world and during the pandemic while working from home, she started making candles as a way to de-stress. She became obsessed with finding the cleanest safest ingredients for her candles as well as unique products that she doesn't see from larger candle makers. She makes all of her candles, wax melts, reed diffusers and room sprays with all-natural ingredients (no additives) and clean scents.
At Varner Candle Company you will be able to come in and have your own candle-making experience, complete with many different containers to choose from, such as glass, tins, wax melts and even reed diffusers. You can choose from wooden or cotton wicks and even get the opportunity to create your own candle label. Megan can do custom orders for events, birthday parties, weddings, baby & bridal showers, and more! You can schedule a party of 6-12 with Megan where you’ll make candles - all kinds of special occasions, birthday parties, showers, ladies nights - there can be alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks and snacks while you enjoy candle making at the candle bar.
Varner Candle Company is more than candles, it is a gift store where you will find cards, consignment art, and candles from other vendors such as: Happy Wax Melts, Snarky Mermaid, Good & Well Landmark Candles, Candle Daddy and Pallel Candles out of Amsterdam.
Stop by and meet Megan this Saturday at her Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at 11am!
You’ll find Varner Candle Company at 810 SE Pioneer Way, Suite 102 in downtown Oak Harbor.
Hours are: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-6pm, Fri & Sat 11am-7pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Closed Monday.
varnercandlecompany.com
360-682-5870
[email protected]
This week we introduce you to Michael Berkimer of Graceful Oaks Massage, PLLC. After wanting to become a massage therapist for many years, Michael became a licensed massage therapist starting in 2023 and opened her own business this month.
Michael is a busy military wife & mother. Her husband was raised here in Oak Harbor and the military brought them back her in 2019. Michael was able to study at home while taking care of her family. Her hours are in the evening from 4-8pm to accommodate people who work and/or take care of their children during the day and would like an evening massage to release the tensions! Everything goes better when we take care of ourselves.
From Michael:
“Graceful Oaks Massage is a place where mind, body and soul can come together to find healing. Where your mind can be free of what life brings you as you drift into a relaxing musical trance. Where your soul can feel a release of all that your body has held onto. And where your body can become one with itself as it finds its way back to restful harmony. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for you to experience relaxation in. With client-centered care, your needs come first. When you are in a session, we want you to know that your comfort is our number one priority. From the linens on the table, to the emollients used on the skin, we want your massage experience to be nurturing, peaceful and enjoyable. Graceful Oaks Massage, offers a range of massage services to clients in the Oak Harbor and surrounding areas. An individually owned and operated massage practice with a highly trained and licensed massage therapist that will provide customized treatments to help clients relax, heal, and rejuvenate. We offer services such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, as well as specialized treatments for pregnancy. Our welcoming atmosphere will provide a sense of peace and tranquility for clients, and our convenient location and hours will make it easy to fit massage appointments into anyones busy schedule.”
You can read more about Graceful Oaks Massage at:
https://www.massagebook.com/Oak_Harbor~Massage~gracefuloaksmassage?src=external
Make your appointment today at:
massagebook.com/biz/gracefuloaksmassage
You’ll find Michael & Graceful Oaks Massage in the Mind Sanctuary location in the Loft at Fidalgo & Dock. It’s a beautiful location, and you’ll receive your massage in a relaxing atmosphere next to the salt wall!
715 SE Fidalgo Ave, Suite 203, Oak Harbor
360-969-9841
[email protected]
Meet Ryan Prichard of Whidbey Wonka’s Chocolate Company! Whidbey Wonka’s is a chocolate shop & mercantile. You’ll find chocolate, candy, cards & more. A one stop gift store. And soon you’ll be able to buy drinks and snacks there as well.Inside Whidbey Wonka’s you’ll also find fashionable & antique jewelry with Shannon - Ryan’s mom. Ryan opened this business with his parents - it’s a family business and music hub. Ryan moved back to Whidbey Island 4 years ago to be near family. Ryan has a restaurant industry background. He explored a few business ideas and when he saw this location on Pioneer Way open up, he knew it was time to go for it! He called his parents to see if they wanted to open a shop with him and Tom & Shannon said yes! They would like people to come in & browse. It’s a very warm and inviting shop. You can rely on them during the holidays, birthdays and special occasions for gifts & cards all in one place.Ryan and his father Tom are in a band together “Walk The Line” they’ll be having live music there soon on Friday evenings starting around 6pm. You can expect to hear Old Country, New Country and Johnny Cash music. You can find Whidbey Wonka’s Chocolate Company at 810 SE Pioneer Way, Suite 101They are open Tues-Sat 11-7, Sunday 12-5
Meet Carol Santillan-Gray of Apothecary Skin Works in the Loft at Fidalgo & Dock!
Carol’s journey as an esthetician started in 2010. After 9 moves, three kids and family and friends that helped her hone her craft, her journey brought her and her family to Whidbey Island!
Apothecary Skin Works has been in the Loft since November. She had worked at the Navy Exchange for 2 years and decided to start her own business. In 2022 the timing felt right and everything fell into place. She loves being in the Loft and part of the Historic Downtown Oak Harbor District. She definitely feels at home here.
As an esthetician, Carol is dedicated to helping her clients with skincare concerns and goals. Her services are alway customized to fit you! She integrates holistic and non-invasive modalities when needed, while honoring the importance of self-care. Her skincare service are catered for the mind and body wellness. Carol looks forward to meeting you, implementing her knowledge and guiding you on your wellness journey.
Apothecary Skin Works is appointment only and you can book at
apothecryskinworks.glossgenius.com
Apothecary Skin Works is located at 715 SE Fidalgo Ave, Suite 104.
360-320-6011
Meet Kristi & Shea of TerraVen! They are High School sweethearts from Kirkland. They moved to the Southwest for 10 years but came back to the Pacific Northwest to be near family. They have been on Whidbey Island for a year now and love it.
TerraVen is a game & tinker shop. Kristi & Shea have been making games all their lives and have been working with leather, stone & marble for 20 years so this was the perfect business for them!
At TerraVen you’ll find Game Accessories, Gifts, Purses, Pouches, Bags & Gifts. You can come check out and play a game before you buy. And soon there will be leatherworking, woodworking & fiber arts classes offered.
TerraVen will be having a Grand Opening on Thursday, December 1st! 20% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE all day during the Grand Opening. Stop by and say hi, see the beautiful view of the harbor and check out all the cool stuff at 890 SE Bayshore Drive, Suite 2!
Hours will be 10am-6pm but may vary due to Transit & weather.
www.TerraVen.org • 360-720-5350
Meet Shannon Ayars of Mind Sanctuary, a new business in Historic Downtown Oak Harbor opening on Small Business Saturday, November 26!
Growing up Shannon would spend her summers here with her grandparents and decided to make Whidbey Island her home about 15 years ago.
Shannon had experienced anxiety and stress over the years, she tried doctors and medications but was searching for an alternative way to de-stress. She got into yoga, breathing techniques and neurofeedback and realized that was working for her. Shannon knew that many others needed help with stress and that motivated her to learn more and begin this business of healing and life coaching.
Mind Sanctuary is a healing center offering alternative therapies such as Reiki, neurofeedback, PEMF, and life-coaching - all with a focus on stress-reduction. Her healing space bodes an authentic Himalayan Salt Wall along with a gift store adorned with calming gemstones, candles, malas, singing bowls, and other items to promote inner tranquility.
Stop by and meet Shannon this Saturday, check out the store, and the beautiful salt wall!
You’ll find Mind Sanctuary at 715 SE Fidalgo Ave, Suite 203 (in the Loft at Fidalgo & Dock)
Retail hours and session appointments can be found at mindsanctuaryhealing.com
360-890-3913
