An Oasis in the Heart of Pitman

Tom Ronketty and his wife Beth didn’t plan on creating an oasis for artists, crafters and vendors when Tom started making birdhouses to hang in their yard for their own enjoyment. But soon, people started asking if they could buy them. So he started selling them, and other items, first at pop-up craft shows, and later in co-op spaces similar to the one he now owns.

Tom and Beth quickly learned the business and they started creating and running their own craft shows by renting spaces for single events and bringing in crafters and other vendors. They still do several of those craft shows per year. 

It wasn’t long before Tom was running his own co-op in Pitman and Artisan’s Oasis was born.  He was even able to open a second space – Artisan’s Oasis Too – to accommodate more vendors. But then the unexpected happened. Tom found out from another shop owner in town that the space where Uptown Antiques had resided might soon be available. After many years in the community in the building that once housed the iconic Bob’s Hobby Shop, the owner was planning to retire and leave the business. 

“It kind of surprised us that it became available,” Ronketty said.

Within two days, the deal was done. “We didn’t waste any time,” he added.

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With Tom’s background in retail he was able to easily scale his operation to fit within the walls of the much larger corner property in the heart of downtown Pitman. The new Artisan’s Oasis had its Grand Opening on May 31st, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting with town officials on June 27th. 

All of their previous vendors except one made the move to the new store. One vendor from Uptown Antiques, a vintage vinyl record seller, stayed as well. They have a high crossover between vendors who do their shows and also rent permanent space in the store. Roughly 65% of the vendors in the shop are crafters with the rest being resellers of collectibles, vintage and antique items. Tom says they are 100% full with a waitlist of potential vendors. 

“We always look for something unique, new, different,” Ronketty said.

They will start hosting classes in the basement space of the building in the fall. They also have a vendor who sells teas and honeys that now sets up a mini produce stand outside on weekends. 

Tom says he has already seen a four-fold increase in business since the move. 

“Pitman, for us, has been absolutely through the roof and amazing,” he said.

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