Curate the Perfect Mother’s Day Experience Downtown
May 8, 2024
Olympia Downtown Alliance Names Quillan Halverson Operations Supervisor
July 2, 2024
| There are many paths to healing. A knowledgeable guide offers wisdom, suggestions, and their expertise to each person’s unique need. Since June 1, 1975, downtown Olympia’s Radiance Herbs & Massage has provided carefully curated products and services focused on mind, body, and spirit. The store was designed to, in the words of founders Dee Ann (Wynia) Williams and Sheila Marsh, create a sanctuary of healing through herbs and massage. Nearly 50 years later, it’s still going strong. Today, co-owners and shop stewards Travis and Eric Pollard have a simple mindset. “Our belief is that business should be conducted with a powerful intention to further all that is good, ethical, and responsible. For the health of humanity and for the health of our planet.” Travis Pollard explains that Radiance began with the trifecta of a thesaurus (hence the name), a small loan used to rent two rooms above Childhood’s End Gallery, and the inspired hard work of both Williams and Marsh. “The early days were filled with refurbishing the space, including stripping and painting walls, as well as tackling carpentry projects. The first massage clients of Radiance were treated on a table crafted by Sheila and Dee Ann themselves.” Services which may seem commonplace in 2024 were less socially accepted in the 1970’s, he says. “In the mid-1970s,” Travis explains, “therapeutic massage carried a certain stigma, but Dee Ann and Sheila were determined to defy stereotypes and cultivate a community focused on wellness. As the store gained traction, Dee Ann took on the mantle solo after Sheila’s departure, supported by a network of loyal customers and volunteers. Despite the grueling schedule of working at Radiance during the day and serving as a cocktail server at night, Dee Ann fondly recollects the profound sense of fulfillment and camaraderie that characterized those early years.” Over the decades, Radiance changed hands but still held onto the same values and accessible, welcoming spirit. Travis says that previous owners Janice, Peggy, Kay, Carolyn, Barbara, Karen, and Andrea all left their unique mark on the storefront, but the overall focus remains strong. Travis and Eric look on themselves as the current custodians of Radiance. Travis says that together they’ve drawn inspiration from the store’s long, rich history while integrating new ideas into the mix. The duo’s commitment to community, inclusivity, and ethical business practices have ensured Radiance’s enduring presence as a cherished cultural and spiritual hub. One such inspiration was Kindred Moon Apothecary. This is “our newest addition lending to the historical expansions of Radiance,” says Travis, “and it houses our herbs and supplements, body care and skincare, a community space for classes and events, and offers a place for people to come together, learn from one another, and to share.” Today, Radiance thrives as a locally owned gift shop and massage studio, boasting a diverse team of employees who specialize in herbalism, massage therapy, and divination services. The store’s ethos is grounded in supporting small businesses, marginalized communities, and fair-trade practices, with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Travis and Eric’s dedication to preserving Radiance as a beacon of healing and connection underscores their role as caretakers of this treasured establishment, cherished by the community it serves. |
