Magpie Nest provides relaxation, vintage items in Ritzville

Two women who have been friends since high school are bringing their dreams to life by opening the Ritzville Magpie Nest.

This store is set to have something for everyone. Named for a magpie, which by definition is a scavenger, they plan to scavenge the area for vintage items to fill their nest with.

They will feature vintage and repurposed items as well as crafts. They also plan to showcase local vendors and give them the opportunity to do consignment with them. The storefront will also function as a teashop and massage parlor.

Ultimately, they will have the business set up so visitors can go in, sit and have a cup of tea, “it just won’t happen right away,” they said. They also plan to have a presence on the Internet via an Etsy storefront and a website or blog.

Karen Cady of Spokane will be operating Lavender and Sage Massage from within the nest while also “playing”, which is what she says instead of being creative.

She recently moved to Ritzville to start this business, since coming to town she stated, “I haven’t found anything I don’t like.”

Cady graduated from Apollo College and is a fully licensed massage practitioner. She will be offering Swedish massages, myofascial release, wraps and infrared sauna treatments.

Infrared saunas are a more direct form of heat to relax the muscles; you can pair this with a massage for a more thorough treatment.

Cady also took classes in Kentucky with Elmwood Inn Fine Teas.

Bruce Richardson, who is a renowned tea blender and historian, taught the class. He has been a leading tea expert for over 20 years.

She stated that through this class she learned a lot about the different areas teas originate in and how to properly brew and store the teas.

The other half of the nest is Debbie Chapman; she has been blending teas and oils since high school. She is also currently studying to become certified in aromatherapy.

She is very excited to do art classes at their business as well and stated they plan on doing some pottery classes as soon as they are up and running.

Chapman moved to Ritzville in 2004 from Vashon Island, Washington, where the two women met.

It is here that she has been eyeing the house located at 201 E. Main on the edge of the historical district. Once they were able to secure the location Chapman moved out to get started on bringing their nest idea to life.

The two have picked up two estates and are slowly working their way through the items there to add stock to their antiques.

They also have a few vendors ready for the tea and oils portion of the business. Cady has additionally already had a few clients come in for massages.

Cady stated that both of their mothers were tea drinkers and Chapman said she has been drinking tea, “since she was old enough to hold a tea cup.”

Eventually they would like to begin making signature teas and oils that they develop themselves.

These two women have been discussing this business for quite sometime. They look forward to bringing all their ideas to fruition in the upcoming months.

One of those ideas is hosting an event each month. One that is already on their list is a Tea Party that they plan to have around the holidays.

The Ritzville Magpie Nest is already on Facebook, community members can follow them to hear about all the wonderful events they will be holding.

The Nest is already set to host the legislative coffee on Nov. 4 for the legislators from Adams County, Grant County and Lincoln County. The Grant, Adams and Lincoln County Parent Coalition set up this event so that parents can sit and express comments and concerns to their local legislature.

Another of the items on the list of events they are planning is a class that will showcase a holistic approach to getting through the cold and flu season, which is quickly approaching using teas and oils.

They plan to do informational classes on alternative therapies featuring the oils they will sell as well.

Cady and Chapman said they are most looking forward to interacting with the community once they have their Grand Opening set for Oct. 1.

During this week they plan to have an event each night that they are open. They have set their hours as Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Their business will also be open for the upcoming Reviving Rural Downtowns Workshop. They will be a part of the walking tour on Sept. 23. They will close down on Sept. 24 to attend the workshop themselves.

The two also stated that other antique shops in the area have been very kind to them and made sure they felt welcome in the neighborhood.

Chapman stated it has been interesting to see the way different businesses interact with each other, so far she feels very excited about joining the ranks of businesses in the area.