YAKIMA, Wash. — The Alignment Company is a new store in Downtown Yakima that’s all about spreading positive energy, self-improvement and inspiration to everyone, but especially the younger generation.
The store, located at 12 S. 2nd St., celebrated its grand opening on Small Business Saturday, with a line of customers stretching all the way outside the shop, wanting to purchase crystals, plants, mystics, books, candles, incense, jewelry and art.
But for owner Dimitri Ray, who was born and raised in Yakima, it’s more than a store; it’s part of a dream to give back to his hometown and ensure young people have a place they can go to get inspiration for their journey, wherever it may take them.
“It’s everything that has to do with positive energy,” Ray said. “We’re all about growth, so anything that grows, me and you, that’s what we’re about.”
Ray’s spent the past 15 years in the TV and film industry in Los Angeles, working as a producer, photographer, entrepreneur and in other roles.
“I’ve worked with the Kardashians, Paris Hilton … Nipsey Hussle,” Ray said. “The list goes on. There’s so many people.”
But now, Ray is back in his hometown, putting down roots and hoping to use his business to make a difference in the community both by inspiring people and by giving back through annual charity events for Back to School, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“We wanted to really, really focus on underprivileged kids, single mothers with underprivileged kids, people that just have a lack of resources,” Ray said.
Ray said that’s because their stories aren’t too different from his own. Growing up, he didn’t feel like there were opportunities for him and needed to make his way out of town to find his path in life.
“I grew up homeless here. I grew up without structure. I grew up without a foundation I grew up without seeing the possibilities,” Ray said. “It made me want to figure that out more, so I pressed myself. I made myself get surrounded by this and it worked.”
Ray said he hopes he can show kids that regardless of what they’ve been through, the challenges they’ve faced or the resources they have now, if they dream big, work hard and keep moving forward, they can make it, too.
“If you are who you are, and you be the best ‘you’ you can be, the universe will open up doors,” Ray said. “But it starts with within, it really does, and it starts with one person at a time.”
The Alignment Company is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 11:11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The store is closed on Sundays.
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