An all-in-one on Main Street
Mixin Mingle, possibly one of Woodstock’s more intriguing new business, has arrived. The best way to describe it is by breaking it down to the core and discovering its essence. It all started with a woman and a room.
That woman is Naté Grindeland, owner and operator, and the room is Mixin Mingle. Back in college, Grindeland was part of a study group required to meet weekly. Unfortunately, the group did not have a quiet, personal place to gather, so members typically found themselves huddled in some chaotic local business. Her struggle to find a room to accommodate the group progressed into what is now Mixin Mingle. Grindeland created an area where people can rent out the space they need.
Although the initial idea was narrow, what Grindeland turned it into is much broader. She wanted “a fun place for people to gather with friends and learn something new.” Grindeland began going to various expos, searching online and even scouting the local farmers market to find instructors to teach the members something they don’t know but maybe have wanted to learn. She hunts for the most trendy topics to present, including using the newspaper as a source.
Grindeland is using her business to introduce the community to activities out of the ordinary, she said. These classes are for people with an open, adventurous mind.
Mixin Mingle offers nearly 30 classes each month, including everything from hoop dancing, Zumba instruction and body rolling to Poetry Slam, art journaling and drumming lessons.
“There is something for everyone,” said Grindeland, “I wanted to bring the best of everything all into one spot.”
Jill Cataldo, said to be the queen of coupons, also teaches a Super Couponing class each month, bringing in more than 100 students ready to learn the tricks of the trade. The turnout has been so strong that Grindeland even turned people away because there was not enough room.
Along with the fantastic turnout for Cataldo’s class, Grindeland said the reception toward the rest of the classes has been great as well. The average class size is 10 people, and the number is continuing to grow.
Mixin Mingle also accommodates small and large personal and business gatherings such as birthdays, baby showers, graduation parties and a meeting place for a lost study group.
Like any good business owner, Grindeland is constantly planning for the future. In her mind, the more variety and sheer number of classes she can host at Mixin Mingle, the better. She said the next series of classes she would like to bring in are seminars for business on how to effectively use technology such as the iPad and social networking sites to generate a more efficient and profitable company. Grindeland even hopes to obtain her food license, allowing her to hold culinary events.
Can’t find a babysitter on yoga night? Mixin Mingle has that covered too. Supervised childcare services are included in the price of the class. The children are occupied by television and toys.
Mixin Mingle is located at 231 Main St., Woodstock. For information and a schedule of events, visit http://www.mixinmingle.com/.
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