Wilsonville Advantage Magazine March 2024

ADVANTAGE

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The Classic Gyro

Origins of Mr Gyro’s Gyro

By Active Media Staff

In the heart of Wilsonville, Mr. Gyros stands as a culinary sanctuary, bridging the gap between the Pacific Northwest and the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East. Founded by visionary chef Fayad, this establishment is more than a restaurant — it’s home to the historical and cultural significance of its star dish, the gyro.

The gyro, the main dish of Mr. Gyros’ menu, carries with it a culinary heritage dating back to the Mediterranean. Rooted in

Greek and Turkish culinary traditions, this iconic dish reflects a commitment to preserving the authenticity of its origins. Every slice of seasoned meat pays homage to the time-honored recipes of the region.

Fayad, both chef and business owner, brings a wealth of experience from restaurants across the United States. His decision to establish Mr. Gyros was a labor of love, a way to share the flavors of his Middle Eastern homeland. The gyro, meticulously crafted with a blend of herbs and spices, epitomizes Fayad’s dedication to delivering a dining experience that is not just delicious but memorable.

The gyro at Mr. Gyros is more than a dish — it’s a symbol of cultural exchange. It transcends borders, representing the melting pot of flavors and techniques from diverse regions. In every bite, customers partake in a culinary journey, connecting with the history and traditions embedded in this flavorful dish.

What sets Mr. Gyros apart is their commitment to craftsmanship and freshness. The gyro, made with the finest and freshest ingredients, is a testament to the culinary excellence upheld by the restaurant itself. Each ingredient is carefully selected and prepared, ensuring that every gyro served is a masterpiece of quality.

As customers savor the gyro at Mr. Gyros, they begin a journey to another home — a place of plentiful laughter, warmth and shared meals. The gyro at Mr. Gyros invites you to partake in a culinary odyssey, where tradition and innovation come together on the plate, creating an experience that goes beyond the boundaries of taste. It’s so much more than just a dish.

Three Decades of Experience

“Best trained craftsmen in the area since 1992.” Dan Sommers

model or manufacturer. “In reality, about 70 percent of what you’re purchasing is the installation itself,” relates Brandon Sommers, VP of Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning. Employees are appreciated and encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions, which often lead to benefits passed on to the customers. “When they feel cared for, they feel fulfilled and they’re going to do great quality work,” says Brandon. “I love their hearts,” adds owner Dan Sommers, “because they are always looking out for the customer.”

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Photos by Laurel Bice

February weather can hint of spring or feel like the dead of winter! Whichever the case, now is a great time to check on your heating and cooling system. Don’t be caught in the cold if low temperatures persist – it’s not only uncomfortable, but for some, it can be critical. And if the threat of cold has passed, warmer temps can aggravate allergies and asthma, which clean air ducts help alleviate. Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning specialists can take on any maintenance, repair or installation needed to keep you comfortable in any weather any time of the year.

Did you know that proper installation by a skilled and trained professional can reduce energy consumption by 30 percent (study posted on energy.gov) on any HVAC system?

Efficient air flow and longevity of the systems are also increased when properly installed, maintained and repaired. Therefore, above and beyond the equipment itself, consumers should focus on the industry professionals who will install and service their HVAC systems.

The Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning team are top contractors in the HVAC industry, with a targeted focus on educating and training employees for quality installation and service of any HVAC equipment, regardless of make,

Dan Sommers, Owner/CEO of Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning started with an HVAC company during high school, but went on to become an auto mechanic. Following a year and a half of auto mechanics, Dan got back into HVAC and after a few years started his own company in 1992 that later became Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning. Brandon Sommers, Dan’s son, is also part owner in the company and remembers spending time with his dad on weekends as early as 1994. “I attended home and garden shows and agricultural shows,” Brandon recalls. He joined the business officially in 2015, and today his duties as VP focus on running the day-to-day, problem solving, growth opportunities and making sure both customers and employees feel cared for.

Turn to Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning, located at 1360 Tandem Ave. NE in Salem for all your HVAC needs! Call (503) 393-5315 or email service@advantageheatingllc.com. For more information visit their website advantageheatingllc.com.

Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning supports Salem Dream Center (at-risk youth); Salem Fire Foundation; Salem Police; PCL (adults needing special assistance); and Called to Rescue (freeing abused and trafficked children).

That is why at ADVANTAGE we stop and think of ways to customize

home comfort system but also your entire experience with us. One way we do that is by saying THANK YOU, WILSONVILLE for 30 amazing years.

We are going back to 1992 to bring you

The Secret to Outdoor Living

Patios for year-round outdoor living

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Patio Cover People, a Wilsonville company operated by owners Tom Moore and Chris McReynolds, love to serve the community. The two are local through and through. Best friends since before kindergarten, they grew up in Tualatin and lived just a couple miles away from each other. Their entrepreneurial adventures began early with a lawn mowing business in junior high, followed by house painting in high school. They went to different colleges, but after graduation they each got married and ended up moving back to Wilsonville, living right across the street from each other.

Tom spent the first half of his professional career as a software engineer while Chris went into operations and business management. In 2012, they worked together and connected again, this time as senior executives of a health technology company in Clackamas. Then, in September 2021, they traded the digital health space for outdoor living

and bought Patio Cover People — the largest and longest serving patio cover company in the Pacific Northwest. Since taking over, they’ve instilled a customer-first mindset into the business with the goal of creating a service-based business that stands apart from the typical contractor in the industry. It may sound trite, but if you call, they will answer the phone. If you email, it will get answered. If you have them out, they will actually give you a written estimate right on the spot. They tout their “ridiculous responsiveness” as a huge differentiator in the construction world.

So what is Patio Cover People all about? Patio Cover People installs high-quality daylight patio covers with optional railings and shades. If you need a deck or want to enclose the patio cover into a full room, they can do that as well. One advantage Patio Cover People offers is the acrylic material used for their patio covers, which allows more daylight to penetrate under the patio cover as well as into your home. This can be especially nice in the Northwest with its numerous overcast days. And for those sunny summer days, these acrylic covers reflect about 3/4 of the heat away, which in turn creates a more comfortable environment year-round. There are two styles of patio covers to choose from, shed and gable. The shed-style is a simple design that slopes downward off the house in a lean-to fashion, whereas the gable-style with its upward peak provides greater visibility for a property with a view. The gable-style, particularly when coupled with an enclosure, offers an appealing aesthetic that certain clients prefer.

Patio Cover People aims to give people a better outdoor living experience. Common situations clients seek to resolve are environments that are too wet, too hot, too small, too muddy from pets tracking into the house, or they’re simply ready to upgrade their patio area. Patio Cover People takes great pride in their work and expertise. As owner Tom puts it, “We solve problems and make it better.”

The company’s brand is fun and laid back – like an evening on the patio with family and friends – but this team is very serious about what they do. And they do it well. In fact, they have a long list of past clients who became “patio cover people” and have volunteered to be contacted by prospective customers who are considering a daylight patio cover. (many of them will even invite people over to check it out for themselves!) That speaks to the high level of trust and satisfaction that Tom and Chris have built with their customers.

Patio Cover People services the Greater Portland Metro Area and beyond — stretching north to Longview, Washington, and southward to Eugene and Springfield. Their clients give them rave reviews for their products, installation and service. So give them a call and you and your family can become patio cover people!

Patio Cover People is located at 10965 SW Commerce Circle in Wilsonville. Visit their website at patiocoverpeople.com or call them at (503) 744-6394.