Yard mirrors small townns growth

T HE PAST and the present I converge at Merrill Lumber in Merrill, Or., a small Klamath County town with a growing economy.

The size of the store was doubled last year, creating a curious cross of old-time country general store and shiny new shopping mall. The original quarters have a homey look, with cluttered, overflowing shelves and a collection of rusting tools nailed to the wall. Expanded areas feature bright lighting and modern shelving systems and displays.

The expansion was triggered by predictions of big growth in the area and record sales in 1989, fueled by bumper crop profits for local potato farmers and a freak wind storm that sent Merrill homeowners scurrying for building materials.

"We wanted to be thought of as one of the better stores in Klamath County," said Tom Ongman, who runs the family-owned business with brother Jon. Customers come from all points in the county to the store on the city's main street. And every autumn the same Southern California duck hunters swing by.

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