BG2019

8th Annual

2019 Columbia County

Business Guide PUBLISHED BY The Chronicle AND The Chief

Table of Contents 2019 Business Guide Introduction ........................................................................... A4 Scappoose brothers run kitchen remodeling business ........................................................... A5 The Swan House, now a successful Airbnb sees first marriage proposal ................... A6-7

Community partners: City of St. Helens, CRPUD contribute to Chamber building upgrade ................................................... A13-15 Comcast conducts community service project at Rainier Park ........................ A16-17 Columbia Pacific Food Bank serves needy, looks to expand facility ....................... A20-21

Farmers market opens in St. Helens ........................................................................... A8

2Cs Vendor Mall offers vintage, thrift selections ............................................... A22-23

Economic Development - CCET Partnering to make it happen .................................A10-11

Hallow’s Pizza takes home $25k as SHEDCO business plan winner ........ A26-27

Mason bees now available to home gardeners ............................................... A28-29 90-year-old Columbia Theatre to be upgraded ................................................ A32-33 Local brewery gets $10,000 grant ................................................................... A36-37 Port of Columbia County: New name, several projects planned for 2019 ................................................................... A38-39 NEXT: Building trust and community ......................................................................... A42 Plymouth Pub up and running ................................................................... A44-45

View the 2019 Business Guide online at thechronicleonline.com or thechiefnews.com

WOW KITCHENS. NO HEADACHES.

Transform your space in only 1-5 days: RENEW with our exclusive 1 Day Tune-Up Cleans, restores, and repairs the original finish. Add new knobs for a simple but stylish update.

REDOOR for a modern look in 1-2 days

If you like the color of your current cabinets, update the look with a new door style in the same or complimentary color.

REFACE BEFORE

can be completed in 3-5 days

Choose a new style AND color for your cabinets. With redooring and refacing, the original cabinet boxes stay in place – saving the time, cost, and mess of a complete remodel.

FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATIONS: Todd & Scott Mizee Local Owners

971.290.9049 kitchentuneup.com

Kitchen Tune-Up Scappoose, OR Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

AFTER REFACING

Serving Columbia County and the northern Oregon coast.

1 DAY WOOD RECONDITIONING ● CABINET REFACING & REDOORING ● CUSTOM CABINETS + DESIGN ● ORGANIZERS & MORE COPYRIGHT 2019. All rights reserved. No material may be subsequent reprinted, photocopied, or in any way reproduced (whole or in part) without permission prohibited.

Country Media Inc.

Reserve your adspace in this year’s Spirit of Halloweentown.

Email Amy at: atrull@ countrymedia.net

ST. HELENS SPIRIT OF

HALLOWEENTOWN Is coming soon...

A2 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

ichardson's Furniture began in 1959 when Lowell Richardson's daughter needed some upholstery work done on her car.

Word of mouth spread among her friends and the basement of Lowell and Martha's home was soon a full time upholstery shop. The next few years required three different moves due to the growth of business until they opened a full service store at the present location on Columbia Blvd in St. Helens. Lowell and Martha were joined in 1970 by October 1964 Grand Opening of Richardson’s Furniture in its current location.. their daughter Eileen and her husband Chris Kirby. In 1998 their daughter Anne and her husband Joe Davis joined the firm. The family tradition continues as Chris and Eileen's grandchildren have brought a 4th generation of family to the business.

Richardson's Furniture still follows the credo started over 60 years ago by the Richardson family of “Furniture with a Future.” This means offering the best values, a great selection of product and the best possible service both before and after you have chosen your furniture. Richardson's currently displays over 22,000 sq. ft. of home furnishings from national names you know and trust, including: Simmons, Sealy, Temper-pedic, Flexsteel, and Ashley. We are also proud to carry many local brands that are produced in Oregon, including Stanton, Englander and Manufactures. Our prices are discounted to save you money every day and on every item you choose. As always convenient in-home delivery is available to fit your location and time schedule.

We feel shopping for your home should be a fun and relaxing experience. You are encouraged to take your time finding the right items to fit your home and your budget without any extra pressure from sales people. While we are happy to deliver your furniture immediately; special order is always an option and there is no extra charge to customize your furniture to fit your home. As you can see, at Richardson's, your way is the right way. Stop in today and see why Richardson's should be your home furnishing choice.

“Furniture with a Future.”

lOWell and maRtHa

CHRiS and eileen

jOe and anne

2015 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, Oregon 503.397.1329 www.richardsonsfurniture.com “Where Columbia County Has Bought With Confidence Since 1959”

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A3

2019 Business Guide Introduction This edition of the 2019 Columbia County Business Guide represents just a sample of the growing and vibrant businesses and nonprofits in our community.

The stories outline the passion and commitment each has invested in their individual operations and in our community as a whole.

The strength of our community lies in its people, our business growth, local resources and Columbia County’s natural beauty.

At The Chronicle and at The Chief, we continue to accelerate our partnerships through multiple platforms and products with local businesses to help strengthen their growth and sustainability.

If you aren’t a subscriber yet, we encourage you to visit our websites and follow our Facebook pages for the latest insightful business and community news. Our searchable EEditions, included free with each subscription, allow you to reference a past business article or other topic you have read. Our websites offer daily news and information to keep you informed about what is happening in Columbia County.

We encourage you to explore all that Columbia County has to offer and to support our local businesses.

Jeremy C. Ruark Publisher / Executive Editor

VILARDI ELECTRIC 503-556-2951 Professional Service Since 1995

Vilardi Electric Inc. PO Box 1200 Rainier, OR 97048 Voice: 503-556-2951 Fax: 503-556-3761 www.vilardielectric.com william@vilardielectric.com

• Residential • Commercial • Remodels • Service changes • Service calls • Data and communication OR CCB # 154994 / WA VILAREI912P6

2019 Guide to Business Columbia County

ness of New Busi er 2019 n in W r the Yea

utz Wiggle B ry Pet Bake

Publisher Jeremy C. Ruark Editorial Content Julie Thompson Christine Menges

The ladies of Wiggle Butz

Creative Director James Yang Advertising Manager Amy Trull Office Manager Kelli Nicholson The Chronicle 1805 Columbia Blvd. St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-0116 thechronicleonline.com The Chief 148 N. Nehalem St., Clatskanie, OR, 97016 503-728-3350 thechiefnews.com A4

Gourmet treats and cakes for pets

Dog and cat food Wiggle Butz carry: Wiggle Butz Pet Bakery • 1945 Columbia Blvd. St. Helens, OR • 503.410.5752 M-F 10am-6pm SAT. 10am-5pm SUN. 10am-2pm • Dog treats, cat treats, & pet supplies

www.wigglebutzpetbakery.com & www.etsy.com

Follow us on FB

Scappoose brothers run kitchen remodeling business CHRISTINE MENGES

CHRONICLE2@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

There is a kitchen remodeling business in Scappoose that has been in operation since March 2003. But there is something that stands out about this particular remodeling business: Two brothers are working together to steadily grow the Kitchen Tuneup business and are looking to expand.

Todd and Scott Mizee said one childhood memory stands out in their minds of their father building campers from scratch.

He also built a “spec” home, and multiple homes that the brothers lived in.

“We as boys both participated in the work on those homes,” Todd said. “It was part of our formative years.”

It also formed part of their early training, he said. The training continued when Todd began the business 16 years ago.

“Training came through the franchise, both in the initial week-long foundational training, as well as in the six months of weekly expanded training that came after the initial commitment to the franchise,” Todd said.

The brothers continue their training in woodworking and construction through multiple sources, including the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, and “franchise available” training, according to Todd.

Todd said he has gained much from his experience in the remodeling business.

“I would say my current business is more than I expected it to be,” Todd said.

During the business growth over the

past 16 years, the two said they have encountered both successes and challenges.

The challenges, according to the brothers, include “getting the word out” that their business exists. The two also said they have to deal with scheduling challenges, and with developing partnerships with other quality and trustworthy contractors in the area.

“We’ve learned a lot over the years and are both passionate about building relationships and serving our customers for years to come,” the brothers said.

Along with the challenges, the brothers said there are parts of the job that they love.

Scott said his favorite part comes when he meets other people.

“Meeting people in their homes and learning about their needs, dreams, and desires,” he said. “I love people and get a tremendous sense of satisfaction when I can help make their lives better!”

Liquor Store 10-7 Monday-Friday 10-6 Saturday 420 Columbia Boulevard 503-397-1733

spirits can

be purchased here!

A PUBLICATION OF

Kitchen Tune-up 971-290-9049

SCAPPOOSE

St. Helens

LocaL

The brothers said they know what they don’t want in their future plans, which is to develop what they call a “consumer mindset.”

“That’s where we say, ‘What can my customers, clients, and employees do for me?

How can they help build my business,” the Mizees said. “Instead we want to practice and grow in a craftsman mindset.”

A craftsman mindset, the brothers explained, includes getting better at their work, and delivering excellence in all that they do.

“We believe craftsmanship goes handin-hand with service and a job well done,” the Mizees said.

Sand & Gravel Co.

P.O. Box AF • 33485 E. Crown Zellerbach Rd. Scappoose, OR 97056 Phone: (503) 543-8821 • Email: scappoosesg@gmail.com Website: www.scappoosesandandgravel.com • FAX: (503) 543-7997

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A5

The Swan House, now a successful Airbnb sees first marriage proposal The Neufelds have worked to make ‘Bella’s Room’ appear exactly as it did in the Twilight films.

Guest Daniel Morales proposed to his girlfriend, Melina Olvera, both of Tucson, Arizona, in Bella’s room on May 14 marking the first proposal at The Swan House.

Photos: Amber Neufeld

JULIE THOMPSON

CHRONICLE1@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

Amber and Dean Neufeld, the new owners of ‘The Swan House,’ have transformed the St. Helens property into a successful Airbnb.

The site is best known as the filming location used for heroine Bella Swan’s house in the famous Twilight franchise.

“It’s going better than I expected,” Dean said. “They say it takes a bit to start up a new business, right?”

Though they admit there have been months that it’s been “hit or miss,” the Neufelds took their first booking towards the end of January.

There have only been two “zero” months, April and February, but each of those months saw bookings for future months.

“When we announced that we were tak-

ing bookings, not a lot of people booked right away. They were booking five or six months out,” Dean said. “Up until October is booked pretty well. We’re pretty happy, actually.”

On May 14, The Swan House also saw its first marriage proposal.

“It was while we were in California, but we had a couple stay there and he’d been messaging me and worked it out. He proposed in Bella’s room while they were there,” Amber said. “They were from Arizona, never been on a plane before, never left the state. It was their first real trip.”

The Neufelds shared the young couple’s announcement on their Facebook page, ‘The Swan House.’

“What I believed was just a spontaneous vacation to Portland, OR (who takes spontaneous trips to Oregon!?) turned out to be so much

more,” Melina Olvera wrote of her new fiancé, Daniel Morales. “Thank you for taking me into one of my favorite love stories and giving me another reason to love it.”

The Neufelds said Olvera and Morales were both Twilight fans and had landed at The Swan House after downloading a random travel app that chooses a trip based on a person’s interests.

When it comes to booking stays in their beloved Swan House, The Neufeld’s said they are careful to make sure everyone who books has an ID on file and have been through the proper verification steps.

“We’re hoping that people will treat the property kindly and be respectful,” Amber said.

“We haven’t had any issues so far, knock on wood. People have been pretty great.”

Continued on A7

www.VioletaSomatics.com Because no one should go hungry

474 Milton Way St. Helens, OR 97051 P.O.Box 1031 St. Helens, OR 97051 Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-3:00pm

(503) 397-9708 • cpfb@cpfoodbank.org Hearing Impaired: Oregon Relay 711

Follow us on

Facebook

A6 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

FOCUS 2019-2020 Skeletal Structure Embodying ease, flexibility and strength through skeleton.

“It is so fun. It feels like I am playing. And it is good for my body, mind and soul.” ~Suzi Anderson, St. Helens, Oregon

ACE certified trainer 30 years of experience 503-914-9693 (call or text)

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Renovations at the property are still ongoing, the Neufelds said. Dean’s efforts have been focused on finishing the attic for energy efficiency, as the home came with cardboard in the space for insulation.

“It’s kind of funny. Over the years, people have written on the cardboard like, ‘so-and-so was here,’” Dean said.

The next big project will be rebuilding the side porch. The area is currently closed off with a sign that says, “side porch closed at this time,” and they plan to get to the project as soon as some nice weather allows.

They’ve also made headway in adding Twilight-themed artistic touches to the home, specifically in Bella’s room. Many of these added pieces of artwork come courtesy of the Twilight fandom community that follows the Swan House’s Facebook page.

Another special project on deck is the overhaul of a 1963 Chevy pickup, the same make and model Bella Swan drove in the movie, purchased from a fellow Twilight fan.

“We had worked out kind of a trade for somebody staying at the house in June,” Amber said. “We’re going to be working on that truck and getting it restored and looking like Bella’s, and then it will be parked out in the driveway so that people can take photos with it. It might be a slower project, and I think we’ll be opening that up for people who are following along on social media to possibly contribute.”

The Neufelds said there are currently no plans to feature the house in any upcoming local events, though they did have a lot of “Twilighters” come out in March as part of an annual showing of the film at Madison High School in Portland, which also served as a filming location in the movie. The home also hosted the Olympic Coven, a cosplay group that dresses as Twilight characters.

“Events are pretty hard because of permits,” Dean said. “We can’t book them because it’s in a residential zone and we can only host so many people. I’m actually hoping someone will approach us about doing an event – someone could theoretically have a wedding if they book a night with a special arrangement, maybe a special clause.”

The Neufelds said they had spoken with Amanda Normine of SHEDCO back in March, who offered the group’s assistance in acquiring single-use permits.

“But we just haven’t planned anything yet,” Amber said. “I think we’re just focused on growing and getting bookings.”

The Swan House still regularly receives visitors from all over the world, The Neufelds said.

The weekend before our interview, they’d had visitors from Germany and a group from Brazil.

“A couple from Finland is staying at the house right now,” Amber said. “It’s just cool to see people from all over the world coming.

Word is getting out.”

Bayport RV Park and Campground

• All sites have water and 20/30 or 50 amp power • All sites are 25’ wide, with 10’ separation between sites • All paved sites feature a 12’ wide pad • Extra room in your site for your boat trailer • Tent camping available • Picnic tables and campfire rings • Nature trail • Restrooms with coin-op showers • Local dump sites nearby • Just 30 minutes from Portland • Check availability and reserve online!

Scappoose Bay Marine Park

• Over 100 boat slips • Covered moorage, power and water available • Seasonal or year-round moorage • 3 lane boat ramp • Plenty of trailer parking spaces • Private floating restrooms • Gazebo and picnic area • Public restrooms • Ask about boat moorage/RV rental packages • Launch your boat on Friday for a weekend of fishing!

www.portofcolumbiacounty.org 503-397-2888

Rainier Liquor Store

Check out our great selection of spirits!

We have mixers, ice, lottery, and hard to find specialty items.

SMALL TOWN PERSONAL SERVICE WITH BIG TOWN SELECTION.

For more information, follow The Swan House Facebook Page.

(503) 556-6321 • 75928 ROCKCREST, RAINIER A7

MON.-THURS. 10AM-7PM; FRI.-SAT. 10AM-7:30PM; SUN. 11AM-4PM

Farmers market opens in St. Helens CHRISTINE MENGES

CHRONICLE2@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

St. Helens residents could be shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables on the waterfront.

A farmers market has been established to St. Helens, and Roger Konka, the founder, opened the market on June 8.

Konka first formally introduced his idea for a farmers market at a St. Helens City Council work session on May 1. A longtime farmer and also vendor at various farmers markets, Konka said at the work session he knew he needed to start one in St. Helens.

“I’ve done farmers markets for over 25 years in three states, and this is the best location,” Konka said, referring to the view of the river site and ample space in the Columbia View Park area location. Konka also said he would promote going to the St. Helens market because he said the one in Portland often feels too crowded.

Konka received a temporary use permit for the market on May 30, according to St. Helens Associate Planner Jenny Dimsho.

The permit stipulates that Konka can run his farmers market from June through December on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are a few vendors Konka has in mind, including some farmers he knows from across the river, as well as 2Cs Vendor Mall. Additionally, Konka has a holly farm in mind as a potential vendor, which Konka said is an additional incentive to keep the market open through Christmas.

Councilors and city staff had to work out logistics before issuing the permit.

City staffers concerns about the market include setting the precedent for opening up for private entities. However, St. Helens City Planner Jacob Graichen said the city could moderate that concern with a temporary limited use permit.

Another concern was gate and vendor access. Councilor Ginny Carlson said she wanted to open the property up to vendors only, because she said the waterfront property is not prepped to provide parking. Konka also assured the city council that the farmers market has its own insurance.

Although Konka has been a longtime vendor at various farmers markets, this is his first time organizing such a market.

“I am just unbelievably excited because I’ve wondered why there hasn’t been a farmers market,” Konka said. “And I’ve always thought, ‘oh man, that’s a can’t miss spot, if it would be possible to have one right down by the river.”

Photo: Christine Menges The St. Helens Farmers Market will be located along this waterfront property site in the Columbia View Park area.

For more information, contact Konka at 503-396-9766.

A8 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

Columbia Acupuncture Jim Martin, LAc., Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM) Serving Columbia County since 1994. Celebrating 25 years in Columbia County 52485 SW 1ST, Scappoose, OR 97056. Call (503) 543-7266 to schedule your appointment Visit out webpage at Columbia-Acupuncture.com. Like us on Facebook Columbia Acupuncture

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

“Helping Business Thrive” The Mission of the Columbia County Economic Team is to deliver business-driven economic development services that support the creation, growth, and retention of Columbia County businesses.

MEMBERS COLUMBIA COUNTY CITY OF ST. HELENS CITY OF SCAPPOOSE CLATSKANIE PUD COLUMBIA RIVER PUD PORT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE CITY OF RAINIER CITY OF CLATSKANIE CITY OF VERNONIA

CITY OF COLUMBIA CITY WEST OREGON ELECTRIC COMPANY NORTHWEST NATURAL INROADS CREDIT UNION WAUNA CREDIT UNION PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC NORTHWEST INNOVATION WORKS GLOBAL PARTNERS KNIFE RIVER DYNO NOBEL

PACIFIC STAINLESS SIERRA PACIFIC CASCADE TISSUES P&W RAILROAD CAL PORTLAND TRANSWESTERN AVIATION DILLARD MARINA DEBORAH HAZEN

Would you like to become a member?

Contact Chuck Daughtry, CCET Executive Director Email: ed@columbiacountyoregon.com or Phone 503 410-1061 www.columbiacountyoregon.com

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A9

Economic Development – CCET partnering to make it happen

STAFF REPORT

CHRONICLENEWS@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

The Columbia County Economic Team (CCET) is a key organization that facilitates economic development in Columbia County.

The following is a conversation with CCET Executive Director Chuck Daughtry about how CCET operates

provides Executive Board oversight, financing and administrative services for Keep It Local Columbia County. Recently CCET has assumed the leadership role in the Columbia County Tourism Initiative, providing structure and resources for this countywide effort.

Question: What is CCET and what does this team do for the community?

Question: What is the significant dollar and cents impact of CCET in individual cities such as St. Helens, Rainier and Clatskanie?

Daughtry: CCET works in collaboration with local governments, local businesses, property owners and others to attract manufacturing companies to Columbia County.

Chief among all partners, we work closely with the Port of Columbia County, whose mission aligns directly with ours. Additionally, we make it a priority to work with existing manufacturing companies already located in Columbia County. CCET also

A V A M E R E at

Daughtry: It’s difficult to say as we are part of a whole team. When a business expands or decides to relocate here, CCET is a part whole team of organizations working in collaboration with private business. We work helping to create success for all, including the local community, property owners, and Continued on A11

2400 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 www.AvamereAtStHelens.com | 503-366-8070

ST. HELENS

LUNCH IS ON US! Join us for lunch and a personal tour.

Contact Jenny Hicks today for Scheduling options.

JHicks@avamere.com

Your Life.

Our Commitment.

Avamere at St. Helens is a premier Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care community featuring beautifully landscaped outdoor areas and walking paths, an on-site beauty/barber shop, activity programs, library, ice cream parlor a full-time licensed nurse, and restaurant style dining in our elegant dining room.

A10 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

→Independent Living Cottages →Assisted Living Apartments →Memory Care

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

investing businesses. Our objective is to attract and retain sustainable businesses that fit with the character of each local community.

Our role of is as a facilitator and coordinator. We coordinate economic development efforts with Oregon State Agencies such as Business Oregon, the Office of Regional Solutions, ODOT and others. We facilitate and collaborate with Columbia County, the local Cities list of stakeholders includes CCET Members local cities, Chambers, publicly owned utilities, Business Oregon, Regional Solutions, ColPac, the Port of Columbia County, property owners, local legislators, existing businesses, State Agencies and our Federal delegation. Our primary and singular focus is on economic development.

Question: What specific projects are underway that will continue to help boost our communities’ economies, provide jobs, and ensure the livability of the county?

Daughtry: CCET has earned the opportunity to be the lead agency in creation of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC). OMIC will be centered geographically next to the Scappoose Industrial Airpark and will comprise over 500 acres or industrial land. We are working with the City of Scappoose, land owners, the Port of Columbia County, local utilities, OMIC, Columbia County, Business Oregon and many other stakeholders who share a common vision of creating a cluster of metals manufacturing businesses who can benefit from the applied research and development at OMIC R&D. Recently, a local company, Control Solutions, applied for enterprise zone benefits through the South Columbia County Enterprise Zone. Control Solutions is a local homegrown success story. Control Solutions will be constructing a $1.2 million building on its own land on McNulty Way in St. Helens. Control Solutions will be employing over 20 people in our County. As manager of the South Columbia County Enterprise Zone, CCET we will be shepherding Control Solutions application through the approval process.

CCET is working with Armstrong, Columbia River PUD, Regional Solutions, ColPac and others to repurpose the former brownfield Armstrong Industrial Site in St. Helens. CCET has been in discussions with a couple of interested manufacturers. This property has tremendous power, water, and wastewater processing capacity. The site has a rail spur and access to Highway 30. We also have access to a highly skilled manufacturing labor force.

CCET is working with the City of Columbia City, State Agencies, local industrial property owners and others to create an industrial park next door to the Dyno Nobel facility.

A PUBLICATION OF

In addition to working with the Rainier Drainage Improvement District, CCET is now getting focused on performing an industrial site shovel readiness assessment of land protected by the Rainier levy.

We are also working with the Port of St. Helens on the recruitment of NEXT Energy Resources and Northwest Innovation Works.

And the CCET led Columbia County Tourism Initiative will help foster tourism economic development throughout Columbia County and especially for the communities of Vernonia, St. Helens, Warren and Clatskanie. We are working closely with all stakeholders, including Next Adventure at the Scappoose Bay Marina. We also see a natural connection between Keep It Local Columbia County and our tourism efforts.

Question: What are the specific challenges that CCET is facing now and into the future in achieving its mission, and how is CCET working to overcome those challenges?

Daughtry: Our main issue has been the level of funding to invest in economic development and getting a larger portion of our funding needs from private businesses.

The Chronicle AND The Chief

We have recently completed the process of developing and approving a new set of bylaws that will allow our organization to grow membership and revenues, we have been able to hire staff and other labor resources, and we setting the organization up to be able to handle the anticipated economic growth throughout the County.

Question: What other information should Columbia County residents know about CCET? Daughtry: These are interesting times.

Our County has become the home of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center.

We need to get ahead of the growth that is heading our way, and make sure that the quality of life increases for all our residents.

We need to make sure that our transportation system and educational institutions keep up with the growth. And we need to work in collaboration with Portland Community College as they construct a brick and mortar campus in Scappoose.

The Columbia County Economic Team is located at 275 Strand St. in St. Helens. For more information, call 503-410-1061.

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A11

Stano Chiropractic is Columbia County’s #1 choice for your chiropractic and massage needs.

We are a preferred provider for all major medical, the Oregon Health Plan, and injuries related to motor vehicle accidents. Enhancing lives, on person at a time. Call to set up your appointment today!

Office Hours; Monday- 9:00am to 6:00pm Tuesday- 9:00am to 6:00pm

Wednesday- 9:00am to 6:00pm Thursday- 9:00am to 5:00pm

Office number: 503-438-4733

A12 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

Friday- 9:00am to 2:00pm Saturday & Sunday- Closed

Fax number: 503-410-5351

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Community partners: City of St. Helens, CRPUD contribute to Chamber building upgrade JULIE THOMPSON

CHRONICLE1@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce building has launched an upgrade of its interior, thanks in part to the contribution of $10,000 from the City of St. Helens’ Community Development Fund, and a $5,500 check from Columbia River PUD. City of St. Helens kicks in $10k Chamber Executive Director Simon Date appeared before the City Council during a Wednesday, April 17 work session with a proposal for the building’s expansion. Date said the 2,500-square-foot space is prime real estate that is being under-utilized as the gateway to St. Helens. The proposed expansion, he said, would correct that and would also add resources that could be utilized by local businesses and the public at large, even if they are not members.

It was a big ask, Date said in explaining the proposal, having originally approached the council for $14,000 – the total estimated cost of the project. “It’s funny. This last year has been based on building relationships and I don’t think it would have happened if we hadn’t have made significant efforts to bridge that gap,” Date said the day after his successful presentation. “We work well with the city on lots of different events that they’re doing, lots of different initiatives supporting them, and they’ve been big supporters of us and really having a sense of ‘we’re all in this together.”

The expansion will add a small business incubator, or a space where start-ups can Continued on A14

Graphic: Simon Date This diagram shows the current layout of the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce against future projections of the new interior design.

Fireplace Shop & Chimney Services 1370 Col. Blvd.

503-397-0390 PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR 271/2 YEARS.

New office in the Historic District on The Plaza The Jane Garcia Team 503.396.1016 503.546.9955

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Licensed in Oregon Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A13

Stephen D. Petersen, LLC is a general practice law firm that specializes in personal injury, civil litigation, wills, trusts and probate, and real estate and business law. Our office offers over 40 years of experience in personal injury, civil litigation, wills, trusts, probate and real estate matters. We are licensed in Oregon and Washington and a member of the Oregon State Bar and Washington State Bar Association.

(503) 556-4120 PO BOX 459, Rainier, OR 97048 Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Appointments Available Proudly Supporting Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington

OREGON TRAIL LANES

Almost 40 years in business!

In 1981, Harriet, Randy and Lori Kraft drove from Tigard to St. Helens to purchase Oregon Trail Lanes. The mother/children trio were owners of Barbur Bowl at the time. They sold it to move to this small little community. The charming river, beautiful views and friendly people welcomed the Kraft family.

Having been in the bowling business, loving the sport and being naturally skilled at rolling the ball down the lane has brought them many successful years of ownership!

Four generations after the initial purchase, Harriet’s great-grandchildren, (Brandon and Kellie’s children), have been punching the clock and pin-chasing to earn their own paychecks.

Our family legacy is not the materials and property but the spirit within our building. We have watched families grow and we remember those that have passed, long after they have gone.

We’d like to thank the community and our devoted and caring staff for all the support throughout the years. Our customers are our family and we truly would not be here if it wasn’t for all of you.

735 S Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens, OR 97051 • (503) 397-1011

conduct their business and collaborate with each other in a comfortable, secure environment that will include free wi-fi. There will also be a pop-up shop experience for local businesses with plans already in the works to host Cake House, a local baker who works from her home, to sell sweets in the space.

There will also be a coffee bar run by local Special Needs teens and young adults, providing real-life work experience with all proceeds going towards creating opportunities for others.

For the new business center, Date has partnered with Kyocera to bring in a codebased copier and presentation center to assist with resumes and documents, and potentially, remote printing. The business center will also offer free supplies for the creation of documents.

A new visitor center and gift shop will also be added to the space to showcase Columbia County tourism and local businesses in and around St. Helens. Date said it will be an opportunity to invite visitors into an eventbased experience where they can see live, local goods up close. The visitor center will feature area attractions and events and has already received a bike-friendly certification from RideOregonRide. The profits from the gift shop will go directly into programming for the chamber.

A “QR room” will also be included in the renovation, complete with QR codes on stylized maps that can be scanned to provide instant information regarding businesses and events around the county.

The expansion will be open to all rather than being solely membership driven.

“I definitely like all the ideas. I like how it’s community based,” Mayor Rick Scholl said after the presentation. “It is the South Chamber, it does serve the whole county and it’s fortunate that it does sit here in St. Helens.

We are one fourth of Columbia County, population wise, so we have a lot of businesses. I like the opportunity for new entrepreneurs to be able to utilize the space.”

Councilor Ginny Carlson agreed with the sentiment, stating that since the St. Helens is a bit larger, “I feel like our burden to help out is a little bit greater than, say, Vernonia or Columbia City.”

At that point, Councilor Keith Locke moved to take $10,000 from the economic development fund, totaling almost the entire amount asked from Date. “Because I think he’s light on these dollar amounts there,” Locke said. “He’s going to need more than he thinks he needs and I want it to be nice, anyway.”

City Administrator John Walsh wanted to add that this was a one-time proposal, but that they’d been having conversations about how to support the chamber. “Some of the conversations we’ve had offline were around the business license and there are some kind of unsustainable revenues we might be able Continued on A15

A14

to direct to the Chamber,” Walsh said. “At one point we were talking about either on top of the business license, or within the business license, having a portion of that go to the chamber as some kind of support.”

Scholl agreed that looking further into similar funding opportunities was a great idea. “I like the idea of the chamber eventually becoming self-sustaining and not membership-driven,” he said.

Scholl asked that Date return to the council as the expansion gets underway to update them on the progress, to which Date agreed.

Councilor Steve Topaz was the only member of the council who abstained from the vote. “I don’t know enough about the whole system. I got a little snippet of it today. I’ve been involved at other times with the chamber and there’s just a lot of things I would have to recogitate in my head before I make a decision,” Topaz said. “We somehow have to support it. I’m not sure how. That’s my real problem.”

Date said the St. Helens City Council was just one stop on his mission to source funding for the new renovations, and he will be reaching out to other chamber partners soon to gather the rest of the total estimated cost.

PUD grant to help revitalize building LEAD Columbia County received a $5,500 Economic Development Grant from Columbia River PUD to upgrade the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce building.

The PUD’s Board of Directors awarded the grant to LEAD (Leading Economic Advancement and Direction) Columbia County during their May 14 meeting.

“I really like that you’re going to collaborate with local artists,” PUD Board member Rob Mathers said. “That’s great, and I think your idea of having the coffee cart staffed by young adults with special needs is a very, very good approach.”

The business center will be free for everyone to use. Its goal, according to Date, is to provide a space for incubation and development for small businesses to take their ideas and dreams to the next level, and to grow into successful companies that the entire community can benefit from.

“This is a great cause,” PUD Board President Jake Carter said.

CRPUD’s Economic Development Grant is designed to promote investment in longterm economic development and growth of business and industry within the CRPUD service area for the benefit of the local community and CRPUD customers. It is available to nonprofit corporations for projects meeting certain considerations and requirements.

This is the third Economic Development Grant awarded by CRPUD in 2019. Learn more about the grant program at crpud.net/ grant.

A15

NFP PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE 8TH ANNUAL NFP PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE 8TH ANNUAL

GUIDE TO BUSINESSES IN COLUMBIA COUNTY. GUIDE TO BUSINESSES IN COLUMBIA COUNTY. We are thankful for your tireless effort in the creation of a go-to reference of We thankful forcommunity your tirelessforeffort in the creation of potential a go-to reference of the are area’s business visitors, residents and customers. the area’s business community for visitors, residents and potential customers.

NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant that provides employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement, and individual private client through our licensed subsidiaries and property affiliates. Our NFP is a leading insurance broker andsolutions consultant that provides employee benefits, and expertise casualty, is matched and by our commitment to each client’sthrough goals and is enhanced by our and investments in innovative retirement, individual private client solutions our licensed subsidiaries affiliates. Our expertise technologies in the insurance brokerage and consulting space. is matched by our commitment to each client’s goals and is enhanced by our investments in innovative technologies in the insurance brokerage and consulting space.

503-397-0714 61 Plaza Square, St. Helens OR 97051 503-397-0714 61 Plaza Square, St. Helens OR 97051

NFP.com NFP.com

Insurance services provided by NFP Property & Casualty Services, Inc. (NFP P&C), a subsidiary of NFP Corp.

Insurance services provided by NFP Property & Casualty Copyright © 2019 NFP. All rights reserved.

Services, Inc. (NFP P&C), a subsidiary of NFP Corp.

Copyright © 2019 NFP. All rights reserved.

More Power Technology Group emPOWERING business since 1994

Your trusted provider of managed network support services, cloud services, IT security services, and other technology solutions

1870 St. Helens Street Suite A, St. Helens OR www.morepowertech.com

503-397-7740

Longview 1422 12th Ave. Suite A Longview, WA 888-556-8049

St. Helens 1870 St. Helens Street Suite A St. Helens, OR 503-397-7740

Comcast conducts community service project at Rainier Park STAFF REPORT

CHRONICLENEWS@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

The crew from Comcast rolled up their sleeves to help beautify Rainier City Park during the company’s community service project conducted on Saturday, May 4.

The following is a conversation with Amy Keiter, Comcast’s director of external communications about the community partnership project.

Question: What is this project all about and when did it originate?

Courtesy photo Weeding is a family affair on Comcast Cares Day with Comcast employee Jeremy Brock enlisting the assistance of his wife and son.

Keiter: Comcast Cares Day is our longstanding company tradition that embodies and celebrates our culture of giving back Continued on A17

Derek E. Lamprecht, DO Joseph P. Schenck, MD Charles J. Petit, MD Dominic P. Patillo, MD Emily C. Nguyen, MD Andrew J. Bryan, MD Michael S. Baskin, MD Sports Injuries • Fracture Care • Joint Reconstruction Stabilization of Ligaments • Tendons and Muscle Injuries Arthroscopic Aided Surgical Repair • Orthopedic Spine Surgery Hip Arthroscopy • Shoulder • Hip • Knee • Hand • Ankle • Foot Board-Certified Surgeons with decades of experience serving health needs Of Oregonians

Barry Jacoshenk, PA-C Kevin Lowe, PA-C D. Craig Keller, PA-C Melissa Scott, PA-C Monica Daugherty, PA-C

SCAPPOOSE: 51385 SW Old Portland Road, Suite A, Scappoose, OR 97056 | PORTLAND: 1515 NW 18th Ave, Suite 300 , Portland, OR 97209 PROVIDENCE PORTLAND: Medical Office Building, 5050 NE Hoyt, Suite 668, Portland, OR 97213 LEGACY WESTSIDE: 2725 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Cedar Hills Crossing, Suite 250, Portland, OR 97005

A16 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

year-round. It started in 2001, with about 6,000 volunteers in Philadelphia and has grown into a global program across 23 countries. This year, we had over 100,000 volunteers helping make change happen in our communities.

Comcast began providing service to the Rainier community just over a year ago, and one of our Longview-based employees suggested adding a Cares Day project in Rainier to our roster of projects this year as a way of thanking the Rainier community that has welcomed us so warmly.

Question: What do your employees at Comcast take away from such a community project?

Keiter: Here’s a quote from Jeremy Lane, a Comcast supervisor in Longview: “Cares Day is another opportunity for us to give back to the community where we live and work. This project was special to us as the community of Rainier has been so amazing. My team has spoken often about how nice they have been treated by everyone. It means a lot for us to show our appreciation to this community and thank them for not only being our customers but also for letting us be a part of such a great city.”

Question: Give us the range of projects done in the community since this all began.

Keiter: To date, more than one million Comcast Cares Day volunteers have contributed over 6 million service hours to improve local communities at more than 10,000 projects around the world, including right here in our local communities – from beautifying local parks as we did in Rainier, to painting, cleaning, and building play structures at local schools. Our local partners include Longview CAP, the City of Castle Rock, Community House on Broadway, and the City of Rainier.

Question: What is the next project planned.. where and when?

Keiter: Haven’t yet set the date for Cares Day 2020, but will let you know when we do.

Typically it’s towards the end of April or early May. Comcast offers residential customers fast internet speeds – up to 1 gigabyte – along with the Xfinity X1 entertainment platform that features voice remote, video on demand, DVR storage, residential phone service, and all Xfinity home security products.

To learn more about Comcast, visit www. xfinity.com, or call 1-800-Xfinity.

Get pre-qualified for your new home before you pre-qualified start house-hunting.

Get for your new home before you start house-hunting.

503.543.9797

How much house 503.543.9797 51669 Columbia River Hwy, Ste 100 can youORafford?

Scappoose, 97056 51669 Columbia River Hwy, Ste 100

Scappoose, OR 97056 Get your new home before Callpre-qualified or stop by tofor get started! you start house-hunting.

Call or stop by to get started!

503.543.9797 Jenniffer Buechler | Pat Olson | Betsy Stephens NMLS #1368934 | NMLS #112877 | NMLS #1154487 Jenniffer Buechler River | Pat Olson | Betsy 51669 Columbia Hwy, Ste 100 Stephens NMLS #1368934 | NMLS | NMLS Get #112877 pre-qualified for#1154487 your new home Scappoose, OR 97056 before you start house-hunting.

503.543.9797 Call or stop by to get started!

51669 Columbia River Hwy, Ste 100

Scappoose, OR 97056

Jenniffer Buechler | Pat Olson | Betsy Stephens NMLS #1368934 | NMLS #112877 | NMLS #1154487

Equal Housing Lender; NMLS #3274 nmlsconsumeraccess.org; for more licensing info guildmortgage.com/licensing; ML-176. Branch NMLS #1243002 Equal Housing Lender; NMLS #3274 nmlsconsumeraccess.org; for more licensing info guildmortgage.com/licensing; ML-176. Branch NMLS #1243002

Now offering residential landscaping flower bed up keep mowing & weeding.

Equal Housing Lender; NMLS #3274 nmlsconsumeraccess.org; for more licensing info guildmortgage.com/licensing; ML-176. Branch NMLS #1243002

GRASSHOPPER

E N T E R P R I S E S

We are a family owned business serving our communities for over 26 years

• Bush hogging • Excavation • Large lot mowing

• Site prep • Grading • Demolition

• Residential lawns • One time clean up • Routine service

Phone: 503-397-9013 Cell: 503-704-3636 Email: mark@grasshopperenterprise.com A17

Find us online, on Facebook, or Home Advisor. CCB#222987, WA license #GRASSEI829PJ

RENT | DEMO | BUY

A18 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Thank you to our m a embe ll rs!

The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is a membershipbased organization serving the business community in South Columbia County. We work hard to support the local businesses and increase the economic vitality of our region.

Furthermore, we assist with the elements of running a small business that are often tasked out to others. We can build marketing programs, and help make your business visible to everyone in the community.

We can network with you to put you in touch with the correct people for your needs.

Our Board, staff and volunteers are committed to furthering our collective goal: creating a more collaborative and successful business climate contributing to greater business stability and thriving productivity.

Furthermore, our location at 2194 Columbia Blvd, in St Helens hosts a public workspace where organizations can meet, incubate, and collaborate towards making Columbia County small businesses thrive.

Executive Director: Simon Date Board Chair: Hope Wirta Board of Directors Bob Barnard, Herb Bailey, Courtney Allison, Jessica Hansen, JJ McKay, Scott Burge, Ginny Carlson

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A19

Columbia Pacific Food Bank serves needy, looks to expand facility STAFF REPORT

CHRONICLENEWS@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

Since 1998, the Columbia Pacific Food Bank (CPFB) has been giving food to those in need. Executive Director Casey Wheeler said the facility serves as both food bank and food pantry, meaning that they both store food and serve as a donation site. Because it’s a rural facility, the donating can take the form of delivering food to others, or serving as a facility for others to pick up food.

Wheeler said they will expand and move into another building sometime next year.

According to Wheeler, CPFB operates on a budget of $335,000, and its services are more in demand than most might think. One in five use the service in Columbia County, and in 2018, the food bank distributed 12 tons of food per week throughout the county. Their services are not only in demand but increasing across all groups. Wheeler said that in the last four years, they’ve seen a 13% increase in households, a 10% increase in individuals, a 27.5% increase in seniors, a 1.2% increase in children, a 9% increase in adults, and an 11.5% increase in the homeless population. This is all part of the reason behind the expansion.

“We have the smallest warehouse facility in the state of Oregon for any of the regional food banks by far,” Wheeler said. “So, once we get into the new facility, we can look at being a lot more creative with a number of things that we do, including the amount of food that we distribute.”

Individuals and families who need food need only come to the pantry and fill out a form, which requires self-reported income and address. Once the individual qualifies, they can pick up a box or more of food, depending on how many are in their household. Food fluctuates a lot, Wheeler said, but typically a box will include cereal, soup, canned veggies, peanut butter, tuna fish, dry beans, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, bread, and sometimes eggs. But all those items depend on availability, according to Wheeler, which can vary widely.

All of this food comes from different sources. 59 percent of it comes from the Oregon Food Bank, 19 percent of it comes from USDA, and 22 percent of it comes from local

Volunteers help with stocking food at the Columbia Pacific Food Bank.

Continued on A21

A20 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

Photo: Columbia Pacific Food Bank

We are Licensed, Bonded And Insured • Tree Removal • Stump Grinding • Pruning • Fruit Trees • • Wood Removal • Tree Debris Clean-Up • • Emergency Tree Work •

Family Owned and Operated Since 1977

McMullen Water Systems is based in St. Helens, Oregon, the heart of Columbia County. Our business’ history reflects the work ethic and family values of the community we call home. McMullen is not a franchise, but instead founded by an Oregonian for Oregonians.

Our honest, straight-forward, people first philosophy has been the defining hallmarks of our business for the 42 years. past 38 McMullen Water Systems was originally part of McMullen Drilling, a small business founded by Bud McMullen (Scott’s dad) in 1976. He worked in the well drilling business for 65 years before opening the doors to his own business. Bud’s business philosophy was simple: “Listen to your client. Do it right the first time. On time. And on budget.”

McMullen Water Systems

is now moving into its third generation. Scott’s sons, Justin and Shawn, are now working for the company and are proudly carrying on the McMullen tradition of offering our clients the best products, at the best value, with the best service in the industry.

McMullen Water Systems is licensed, insured, and bonded. The company’s Construction Contractor’s Board (CCB) number is 204823.

503.397.1744 http://mcmullenwater.com

A FULL WATER TREATMENT PUMP A FULLSERVICE SERVICE WATER TREATMENT, WATERAND PUMP WATER AND WELL DRILL COMPANY COMPANY

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

sources, like food drives that private organi- Wheeler said he remembers one time a few zations or individuals hold. Wheeler stresses years ago when a high school student dethat, while they always have food, there is cided to organize a food drive for her senior one challenge the food bank consistently project. She did a competition food drive faces. between McBride and Lewis and Clark El“The biggest challenge we have is variety, ementary Schools, and raised over 5,000 because what we get from the Oregon Food pounds of food, according to Wheeler.

Bank and USDA, or from the government, “That’s by far one of the biggest food it’s pretty standard and it’s almost always the drives we’ve ever had,” Wheeler said. same stuff. So, there’s not a great deal of variBut individuals and organizations do not ety in there,” Wheeler said. need to hold a food drive on that level. All According to Wheeler, the food bank they need to do is contact the food bank, degets a lot of dry beans, pasta, and rice, but cide on dates for the drive, and organize a that they always need more peanut butter, time for the food bank to pick up donated tuna fish, cereal, and canned vegetables and food. fruit. In addition, most donations come durIn addition to dispensing food, the food ing the holiday season, so during spring, bank offers many other programs, including summer and fall the food pantry welcomes classes through the OSU Extension Service, additional public donations. such as Cooking Matters, for cooking on a “You come back in the middle of March, limited budget. A Master Gardeners’ Seed to and there’s going to be all kinds of holes,” Supper class is also offered, which is geared Wheeler said.3x2D Cuts:Layout 1 6/22/12 3:28 to PM low-income 11-16-11 Page 1 individuals.

Local food drives can help fill the gaps.

The Food bank also provides food for 11-16-11 3x2D Cuts:Layout 1 6/22/12 3:28 PM Page 1

haircuts seniors $10 children $12 adults $15

Prices always include shampoo & simple style if desired

OPEN 7 DAYS

Haircuts A WEEK...

EVEN SUNDAY $ Adults & Children: 18 & MONDAY $ Seniors: 15 (65 yrs+)

Prices always include shampoo Membership meetings & simple style if desired

We offer perms and color

are the second Tuesday of each month at 101 East C Street, Rainier, OR C10012

251 S 1ST Street, St. Helens (503) 397-3380

C10012

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK...

EVEN SUNDAY & MONDAY

Meagan Fawcett President

seniors $10 children $12 adults $15

251 S 1 Street, St. Helens (503) 397-3380 ST

C11848

Columbia Pacific Food Bank 474 Milton Way # B St Helens 503-397-9708

haircuts

’s

bbie

Bo

the mobile food pantry in Mist-Birkenfeld; a brown bag program with Grace Baptist Church, and hosts Stone Soup, a dinner in the park on Sundays for low-income people.

CPFB organizers purchased the Columbia Electric Feed and Seed on Columbia Boulevard. They hope to revitalize the building for additional food bank space.

Wheeler says that people truly appreciate what the food bank does for them. He said he has heard from senior citizens who tell him that receiving food from the food bank has made the difference between getting a meal and not getting a meal.

“So many of them say thank you,” he said.

“They truly appreciate what we’re doing and what’s available to them.”

Tues. through Sat. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

After hours by appointment

http://www.rainierchamberofcommerce.com rainierchamberofcommerce@gmail.com

BETSYJOHNSON JOHNSON BETSY

SUNSHINE PIZZA ~ 503-397-3211

STATE SENATOR - DISTRICT 16 STATE SENATOR - DISTRICT 16

District Office: District Office: Airport Rd.53894 (P.O. Box R) Rd. Airport Scappoose, ORBox 97056 (P.O. R) Phone: Scappoose, 503.543.4046OR 97056 Fax: Phone: 503.543.5296 503.543.4046 Fax: 503.543.5296 etsyjohnson@state.or.us Salem Office:Street NE Salem Office: 900 Court 900 Court Street NE S-209 Salem, OR 97301 S-209 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503.986.1716 Phone: 503.986.1716 sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us Find State Senator Betsy Johnson on Facebook

Sen.BetsyJohnson@oregonlegislature.gov

A PUBLICATION OF

Few businesses, especially restaurants, make it to the 38-year mark. Sunshine Pizza, in

St. Helens, is one of those rare exceptions. Sunshine Pizza opened its doors in August of 1981.

WE WILL CELEBRATE OUR 38TH YEAR IN BUSINESS THIS AUGUST!

Sunshine’s main product may be pizza but there is a whole lot more on the menu. “We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’re open from 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. every night. We have a full line of pizza and made-to-order pasta,” said owner Todd Stansbury.

“We do catering from breakfast to basic appetizers to full service, including prime rib and salmon dinners. Our soups are all made in-house and there’s 17 feet of salad bar on top of that.”

SUNSHINE PIZZA is located at 2124 Columbia Blvd., in St. Helens.

For to-go orders, catering services, deliveries & reservations, call: 503-397-3211.

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Find us on facebook

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A21

2Cs Vendor Mall offers vintage, thrift selections

Photo: Christine Menges

The 2C’s Vendor Mall offers a wide variety of vintage selections for customers to select.

CHRISTINE MENGES

CHRONICLE2@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

Walking around 2Cs Vendor Mall is like walking through your relative’s cluttered attic but finding the space filled with only the most interesting pieces that you can’t wait to bring home.

The store, at 215 S. 1st St., in St. Helens, is owned by Mitzi Ponce, who took over in 2016. Although 2Cs has existed since 2012, and the building where it is located has existed since 1927.

“We’re kind of like part thrift store, part vintage store, part antique store and part retail,” Ponce said.

According to Ponce, the store has over 60 dealers, and 82 spaces they can rent.

“Spaces” are anything from pegboards, to a display case, to the entire loft that overlooks the cashier desks. In addition to offering space for vendors the store also does consignment for those who want to sell items

but don’t want to rent a space.

Ponce said 2Cs is like an incubator for tech startup companies, because the store gives micro-businesses a place to sell their wares, and eventually move on to bigger things.

“We’re kind of like part thrift store, part vintage store, part antique store and part retail.”

Mitzi Ponce, 2Cs Vendor Mall owner “Ideally somebody who will do really well here and then either branch out or start their own store,” Ponce said, adding that dealers are also welcome to stay at 2Cs forever if they want.

Vendors who sell at the store are licensed as businesses by the City of St. Helens, according to Ponce. They rent a space, and

then also pay 2Cs a commission, which helps cover business costs.

Curious customers can find just about anything, including kitchen knife sets, kits for hatching mason bees, decorative glass laced with uranium from the 1800s, antique furniture, books, clothing, CDs, coffee mugs, incense, candles, precious gems, Halloween decorations and wooden roosters – the last of which Ponce says is one of their most popular items (something about the semi-rural residents of St. Helens loving to decorate with them).

2Cs gets its name from the previous owners, according to Ponce. The last names of the two people who established the business were “Carver,” so they called their business “Carver and Carver” or “2Cs.” According to Ponce, they had the business for four years before she bought it from them in 2016.

“I didn’t change the name because I Continued on A23 Call to schedule an appointment: 503-410-5623 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

A Better Way Massage, LLC 500 N Columbia River Hwy Ste 410 St Helens, OR 97051 Next to the DMV in St Helens email: abetterwaymassage@gmail.com

Accepting major medical insurance, Workman’s Comp, and Motor Vehicle Accidents Gift Certificates are available on our website at www.abetterwaymassage.com

Ashley Anderson, LMT #18857 Crystal Farlow, LMT #15194 Peter Frank, LMT #17795 Audrey Ford, LMT #17814 Mandy Lubinsky, CRM, LMT #19458 Kathleen McLaughlin, LMT #7059

A collector’s paradise and a bargain hunter’s friend.

215 S 1st Street St. Helens, Oregon 97051 • www.2csvendormall.com

f

A22 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

We have a talented, caring and experienced team:

Deep Tissue, Swedish, Thai, Reiki, Cupping, Sports Massage, Sports Taping, and much more Special time of service rates for Honored Citizens (65+),Veterans and Wellness Packages Flexible appointments available evenings and Saturday

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

didn’t want to lose customers who are already familiar with us,” Ponce said.

Before 2012, the building where 2Cs is now located was home to many other establishments. Built in 1927, the building is known as the Pythian Building, because it was built by the Knights of Pythias, one of the oldest fraternal service organizations in the United States. The location served as a lodge for that organization, but the building has, in some ways, always been a commercial space. Not wanting to burden its members with a years-long mortgage, the Knights of Pythias found another way to pay for the building.

“You wanted to build it and have the building pay for itself,” Ponce said.

To do this, the Knights of Pythias established the lower level as commercial space that the organization would rent.. JC Penney’s rented the store until the late 1960s.

There were also office spaces that were rented, including home to a dentist and the St. Helens Chamber of Commerce. There is also a ballroom that the Knights had, which they used for ceremonies and also rented it to other organizations for different events.

“You’ll talk to lots of people here in town that remember going up there for school dances or they went to hear a band, or somebody got married,” Ponce said.

After J.C. Penney’s moved out, the building served as home to Pendleton, as well as a vintage antique store.

2Cs Vendor Mall is part of many other similar stores visitors will discover in St. Helens, such as Top Notch and Accumulation.

“We form a nice little area where people can come and spend a day,” Ponce said.

She said she believes stores like 2C’s Vendor Mall - those that sell vintage and thrifted items - attract more people to come to the city and to contribute to the local economy.

In addition to economic development, Ponce said 2Cs contributes to the community in other ways.

“We ask every person who checks out if they’d like to round up for the Children’s Fair,” Ponce said.

Last year, the store collected $1,276 at the register for the Children’s Fair, according to Ponce. Additionally, 2Cs will offer other activities during the year, such as last year when 2Cs held an appraisal night, with all the proceeds going to Meals on Wheels.

“We try to always have that direct impact,” Ponce said. “It’s a little harder for us than it is for businesses that have a lot more foot traffic. But we can still do it.”

From 2016 to 2019, ever since Ponce took over, she said 2Cs has seen marked improvements and by any measure, the store

A PUBLICATION OF

has grown. Dealers, amount of merchandise and sales have all increased.

Ponce said key steps 2Cs has taken in the last three years to increase sales, include adding more dealers, increasing the number of hours the store is open, opening seven days a week rather than five, accepting credit cards, and adding a system that has enabled them to give customers receipts more quickly.

Looking ahead, Ponce said she is considering extended hours again, or have more in-house activities that will draw more customers.

Whatever happens, visitors to this store in St. Helens can certainly expect to find a number of interesting trinkets when they visit 2Cs.

2Cs Vendor Mall 215 s. 1st Street, St. Helens 503-510-5280

The Chronicle AND The Chief

St. Helens

Hardware

Get in. Get help. Get on with your life.

H Automotive H Lawn & Garden

H Paint H Plumbing

* Keys Duplicated * Knife Sharpening * Locks Re-Keyed

H Craftsman & STIHL H Electrical

ACE Rewards Program

155 S. Columbia River Hwy., St. Helens, OR Phone 503-366-1363 Monday-Friday 8 to 8, Saturday 8 to 7, Sunday 8 to 6

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A23

NO MATTER WHAT MOUNTAIN YOU’RE CLIMBING

WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY BUSINESS CHALLENGE! Whether you’re looking to take your career or your business to the next level, Cardinal Services has been helping Oregon reach the heights of success since 1984. For over 35 years we’ve been providing local companies with a solid base - a full-range of customized, affordable employment services to fit every type of business and industry.

We are not a franchise; Cardinal is an Oregon-based, family-run company that prides itself on delivering outstanding, customer service to employers and job seekers alike!

EMPLOYER SERVICES Staffing, Payroll, Co-Employment, HR Services, Compliance Support, Risk Management, 401(k) Plan EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES One application for all jobs and all locations - openings available for all shifts & skill sets.

Employment opportunities in the state of Oregon including Clatsop, Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, and Yamhill counties, the Southern Washington area, and Humboldt County, California.

A24 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

...YOU NEED A BASE CAMP!

www.cardinal-services.com 1.800.342.4742

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A25

Hallow’s Pizza takes home $25k as SHEDCO business plan winner JULIE THOMPSON

CHRONICLE1@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

Photo: Julie Thompson Hallow’s Pizza winners Jaime Mason and Erin McCown stand with friends and family who came out to support their pitch after their win.

There’s a new food truck coming to town courtesy of the St. Helens Economic Development Corporation’s (SHEDCO) Business Plan Competition, who in April, awarded Hallow’s Pizza with a $25,000 grant and zero interest loan.

The public was invited to watch as the four finalists in the competition pitched their business “Shark Tank-style” to a panel of judges at the Columbia River Receptions & Events center at Meriwether Place. Each would-be entrepreneur had to attend a series of business plan Continued on A27

City of Clatskanie 75 S. Nehalem Street, Clatskanie

503-728-2622

The highest quality and integrity in the electrical industry with over 35 years’ experience. Full range electrical contractor with the expertise to provide the following services to all Residential, Commercial and Industrial installations • New Construction • Remodel/Additions

• Service Work • Maintenance

• Controls • High Voltage

Co-Founder Jerry Larson

Come and join us at the PEAK the view is great!

(503) 397-7818 | peakelectricgroup.com WA | License # PEAKEG854KA | OR License # 206443

A26 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

workshops to enter the competition, designed to educate each on the process of writing a business plan.

Three other finalists competed for the top prize, including the Wildflower Play Collective, hoping to open a kids’ play space to “let moms take a breath,” Ascending Optics, two would-be drone ambassadors and educators, and Running Dogs Brewery, who pitched an expansion for their current location.

The couple behind Hallow’s, self-proclaimed high school sweethearts Jaime Mason and Erin McCown, said the win was overwhelming.

“We’ve talked about doing a pizza concept for literally ten years and we’ve both been in different industries so we’re finally in a spot where we’re able to really pursue this,” Mason said. “We found out about the SHEDCO competition just by happenstance, and I did it really just to formulate my ideas. I never expected to win. I just wanted to have a really good business plan, and I think the SHEDCO competition was really important to making this happen.”

Both are self-employed – McCown as a photographer and Mason as an employee of Grubhub, but both plan to leave those endeavors behind with the start of their new venture.

“We want to live and work in St. Helens,” Mason said, with McCown adding they have lived in town for three years, now. “We love it here and this is really where we want to be.”

The couple came up with their name for Hallow’s by taking a cue from Halloweentown.

Mason said each of them have had family travel to St. Helens for the October festivities, with McCown’s relatives having come from as far away as New England to witness the event.

“The word really means to ‘revere as sacred’ and I’ve loved pizza for as long as I can remember,” Mason said. “If anything is sacred in my life, it’s pizza.”

Mason and McCown took home the grand prize in the form of a $20,000 no interest loan courtesy of local credit unions including Wauna and InRoads, as well as a $5,000 grant from the Columbia River People’s Utility District.

Hallow’s Pizza hopes to be operational by early summer and will set up shop on Highway 30 alongside other local food trucks at 305 Columbia River Highway.

Rod Murray

Principal Broker Cell 503.936.5294 Office 503-728-0161 rmurray5294@gmail.com Ark Real Estate, Inc. 200 E. Columbia River Hwy. Clatskanie, Or. 97016

Proudly serving Columbia County since 1970

Hudson Portable Toilet Service “We go where you go” Hudson Garbage Service has been providing waste removal and recycling since 1970, serving Columbia County and St Helens, Warren, Columbia City, Deer Island, Rainier, and Clatskanie.

800-422-9998 or 503-397-1534

Cuisine: American Parking: Street and parking lot parking Price Range: $$ Specialties: Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks Services: Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Good For Kids, Take Out Catering,Waiter Service Great food and cold spirits. Breakfast served till 11am Monday-Friday and 12pm Saturday & Sunday. The best place to eat breakfast in town, just pull over and ask anyone. Awesome burgers and great dinner specials. Try the home made Chicken Fried Steak or the monster “Texas Long Horn Burger”!!

135 N Nehalem Clatskanie OR 97016 • 503-728-4122 Follow us on Facebook www.colvinsgrill.com

Mason bees now available to home gardeners

This is one of the mason bee starter kits Michelle Berg and her husband sell to home gardeners

Since 1988 HOPE of Rainier ( Help Our People Eat), has been dedicated to providing emergency service to those in need on the greater Rainier community.

HOPE of Rainier Mon. 11 am - 5 pm 404 E A St. Tues. 1 pm - 5 pm Thurs. 12 pm - 5 pm Rainier, Oregon Monterey donations: P.O. Box 448 Rainier, OR 97048

A28 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

Courtesy photo

CHRISTINE MENGES

CHRONICLE2@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

There is a type of bee out there that does not sting, is blue in color, and still pollinates as well as the honeybee. You might have mistaken this particular bee for a housefly, but these blue insects flying from flower to flower are actually mason bees.

St. Helens area resident Michelle Berg sells the mason bees along with starter kits for any home gardener needing extra pollination for their plants and flowers.

Berg began selling the bees in 2004, but she said it was really in 2017, after she quit her job in the corporate world, that she was able to grow her business. Today, Berg sells her products, which includes dormant bees, wooden birdhouse-looking houses, nesting material, and a nest protector, to any home gardener who needs them.

You can find her products at the Home and Garden Show and 2Cs Vendor Mall in St. Helens; Linnton Feed & Seed in Portland; Western World in Longview, WA; Starkey’s Corner Farm & Garden in Hillsboro; and All About Pets in Scappoose.

Berg said her business roots began in 2002, when she began planting fruit trees and all sorts of berries; blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, “basically any berry you could think of.”

Her berries took off, but she found she needed more pollination, so she researched honeybees and found that mason bees would be better for the pollination efforts.

Berg said mason bees get their name from capping off their cells with mud where they lay eggs and there are many reasons the mason bees make good garden helpers.

“They’re non-damaging,” she said “They’re non-stinging. They’re a gentle bee. Kids can stand next to them and they will bounce off their heads and keep on going. It’s really cool to observe.

Berg also said mason bees require much Continued on A29

Best view, best food & drink, and the best people.

Craft Beer, Wine, Spirits, Live Music, Private Parties 31 Cowlitz St. St. Helens, OR SUMMER HOURS Wednesday 11:00-7:00 Thursday 11:00-9:00 Friday-Saturday 11:00-9:00 Sunday 11:00-5:00

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

St. Helens

Michelle and her husband Russel Berg.

Courtesy photo

lower maintenance than honey bees, while helping just as much with pollination.

“They’re really super pollinators,” Berg said, adding that mason bees are more solitary and independent than honey bees, resulting in their only focus being on pollinating.

“They don’t have to defend the colony,” she said. “They don’t have a queen. They don’t have to do all of that stuff.”

After home gardeners buy the starter kit, Berg said that to maintain the hive they need only wash the dormant bees every once in a while. She said the hives look like small cocoons. Berg said it’s important to keep the dormant bees cool and she recommends storing them in the refrigerator until about mid-March, when they emerge. Home gardeners then place the dormant bees in the lower, closed-off compartment of the wooden house in the kit, and wait for the bees to emerge through a little hole already drilled into the cover of the house.

Berg said the male bees will come out first, followed by the female bees a week or so later, and when the females arrive is when the pollination happens.

Berg recommends mason bees for anyone who has fruit trees, or is growing berries, or who just wants to have them, because, Berg said, the bees will find things to pollinate.

Berg and her husband sell the starter mason bee packs at $75. Each pact comes with all of the Berg’s products, as well as full instructions.

To learn more about Berg’s bees, visit her website at, FatDogFarms.com.

Building Community Through Activity

For More Information Email: recreation@ci.st-helens.or.us Phone: (503) 366-8208 Website: www.ci.st-helens.or.us/recreation Register: http://sthelens.maxgalaxy.net/Home.aspx

Hope and Healing Begins Today

State Representative

Brad Witt Democrat - District 31 - Clatskanie

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1431 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-374, Salem, Oregon 97301 Email: Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/witt

Providing Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Treatment for Columbia County.

Call us, we’d love to meet you. Direct Main Line: (503)397-2511 If you are in crisis, call (503) 782-4499.

Walk-In Clinic Schedule Monday and Tuesday 1pm 3pm Thursday and Friday 9am-11am

*call if these days/times don’t work for you

58646 McNulty Way St. Helens, OR 97051 Main Office Line: (503)397-5211 www.ccmh1.com

We’re Better Than a Bank.

We’re a Family.

When you join Fibre Federal Credit Union, you become a member of our family. . .the Fibre Family. As a family member, you’re not just a customer, you’re a member and owner of your credit union. Along with Fibre family status comes a level of service and care that you expect and deserve. It’s all in the family!

Federally insured

by NCUA

102 W. 5th St. Rainier and 13 other locations!

800.205.7872 • www.fibrecu.com

Our TEAM Has Been LOOKING for YOU!!

COME VISIT US & START YOUR NEW CAREER in MANUFACTURING! MON – FRI 7AM – 3PM 503-397-5611 58231 Old Portland Rd. Warren, OR 97053

Letica Corporation is a plastic manufacturer and has been an industry standard for over 50 years for a broad array of applications including paint, chemicals and food packaging. Not only do we take pride in our products, but we take even more pride in our employees. A career at Letica offers a competitive compensation and benefit program that includes: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, Life & Disability Ins., 401(k), Vacation, Sick Time, Holidays, and much more. We are always seeking motivated candidates with strong skills in leadership, commitment to task and team building for Entry Level up to Management opportunities, in the Columbia County area.

640

CLATSKANIE TOWN CENTER

640 Columbia River Hwy, Clatskanie, OR

640 E Columbia River Hwy Clatskanie, OR 97016 (503) 728-2777 anytimefitness.com Open 24/7 to Members

Have a Great School Year!

Follow us on Facebook Clatskanie River Inn

MON-SAT: 10AM-6PM, SUN: CLOSED Clatskanie Town Center 640 E. Columbia River Hwy Suite. B • 503 728-3300 Follow us on Facebook

IXTAPA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

640 E Columbia River HWY. Suite A Clatskanie, OR 97016 503-728-3344

Follow us on Facebook

LM Have a Great School Year!

and an executive board room.

We are a locally owned independent 40 room hotel right next to the Clatskanie River, with an indoor pool Meeting/Banquet room forswimming up to 50 people and hot alsoroom. have a 10 andbreakfast. an executiveWe board space RV park adjacent to the hotel 503-728-9000 with full hookups.

503-728-9000

people Check out our website: www.clatskanieriverinn.com and Like us on Facebook.

600 E. Columbia River Hwy. 600 E. Columbia River Hwy. cri.gm@outlook.com e-mail:e-mail: cri.gm@outlook.com A PUBLICATION OF

Your Lender for Life

NML

~PURCHASE AND REFINANCE~CONVENTIONAL, USDA, V PURCHASE AND REFINANCE

Clatskanie River Inn 600 E. Columbia River Hwy. 503-728-9000 Meeting/Banquet room for up to 50

LIFE MORTGAGE

Lora Sr. Loa

The Chronicle AND The Chief

640 E Columbia River Hwy. SuiteFHA D • Clatskanie CONVENTIONAL. USDA, VA AND Office: 503-728-0880 ~ Direct: 503-410-9

640 E Columbia River Hwy. Suite D, Clatskanie, OR 9701 Office: 503-728-0880

Follow us on Facebook

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A31

SHEDCO members and Columbia Theatre owners Lance and Leah Tillotson stand in front of the theatre shortly before announcing the awarded grant.

Photo: Julie Thompson

90-year-old Columbia Theatre to be upgraded JULIE THOMPSON

CHRONICLE1@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

The historic Columbia Theatre will begin work on some much-needed upgrades this summer, thanks to a grant applied for via the St. Helens Economic Development Corporation (SHEDCO). The $200,000 grant for renovations was announced last week by Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. SHEDCO received one of 30 matching grants statewide awarded to Oregon Main Street Network organizations for building projects that encourage economic revitalization.

The grant application process Grant availability was announced by Oregon Mainstreet in late December of 2018.

SHEDCO sent out over 200 letters announcing the availability to every property owner along the St. Helens Mainstreet, detailing deadline

information for potential projects. SHEDCO Chairman Al Petersen said the letters yielded nine applications for nine different properties in St. Helens – eight for remodel projects and one for new construction.

From there, the SHEDCO board created scoring criteria based on project capacity, potential positive impact to the Main Street District, and alignment with the grant program priorities. During a board meeting, applicants were invited to make presentations where they received feedback. “The Columbia Theatre was the one that received the most points and was unanimously chosen,” Petersen said.

From there, Petersen said he and Columbia Theatre co-owner Leah Tollitson worked together to fill out the grant application. “It’s a very extensive application. It asks all kinds of questions about statistics we had to look up from the census bureau, income levels in St. Helens, how many empty buildings there are, how many new businesses there are and how many businesses have closed in the past few

A32 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

years – that sort of thing,” Petersen said. “And then of course, she had to work with contractors, estimators and people to come up with the budget and the things that she wanted to include.”

The application was formally submitted on March 8. SHEDCO officials said both the City of St. Helens and the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce wrote “very supportive” letters, as did some of the theatre’s neighboring businesses.

Since SHEDCO sponsored the theatre, the group will continue to participate throughout the renovation process as the local grant administrator, working with Oregon Heritage and Oregon Mainstreet, submitting remodel plans and coordinating between the owners and Oregon Mainstreet for grant reimbursements during construction.

Part of the grant requires a 30% match in funding, volunteer time, or in-kind donations.

Together with the Tillotsons, SHEDCO will

A PUBLICATION OF

Continued on A33

The Chronicle AND The Chief

help organize fundraisers and volunteer work parties to meet the grant requirements.

The work ahead The funding will be used for several upgrades at the theatre, but Leah and her husband, co-owner Lance, said the first item on the agenda is putting in a new family restroom on the main floor. “I have very nice neighbors and they will let people use their restrooms, but it’s still quite a hike to come out of the theatre and clear back to the back of the buildings to get to their restrooms,” Leah said. “It’s just not an ideal situation.”

The next priority is seating. The current seats, Lance said, were actually purchased used from Universal Studios. “The old owner that we bought it from went down and purchased them from a Universal showing room.

So, of course, at the time they were super nice seats for the time, movie stars had actually sat in them, but they were used then, and they’re just worn out now,” Lance said. “You can only weld things so many times before they’re just done.”

The new seats will be high-back rockers with arms that come up and cup holders already installed, as opposed to the current cupholders that were added on later. “The seats will come up, so you can cuddle with who-

A PUBLICATION OF

ever’s come to the movie with you,” Leah said with a chuckle.

This is one area where the grant being unusually broad will be helpful, as Lance said most grants would never allow money to be used for things like seating. “It’s not like they’re holding the building up or anything like that, but this grant is really special because of what it’s trying to do is make your business more successful so that more people come down here and that can affect other businesses,” Lance said.

The third “big item” on the agenda is the replacement of the historic marquee. “Ours looks okay, but it has a lot of rust in it and it’s not going to last much longer. They’re going to let us replace that with basically a marquee that looks the same but is structurally sound,” Leah said.

The Tollitsons also plan to renovate the upstairs restrooms, with Lance adding the men’s restroom specifically is “a little too intimate for a bathroom.” The funding will also allow them to replace and install carpet and other interior finishes. These projects will be completed provided there are no “surprises” with the new bathroom’s plumbing.

The work will remain local, with Matt Gartman Construction having already been tapped to provide some of the work. However, the community at large will also have an op-

The Chronicle AND The Chief

portunity to pitch in with the work done at the 90-year-old theatre. Leah said there are several things the grant will not cover. “It’s 90 years old, and I kind of sat down and thought, ‘what does it need to set it up for the next 90 years to make sure it gets to stay and not be repurposed?’ And I made a list,” she said. “Some of it is just easy stuff, you know, come help us sand the floor before we put the seats down.”

It is this volunteer effort the Tollitsons seem the most excited for. They feel it is the community that has ultimately kept the theatre alive for the past nine decades. “When Boise left and staffing and finances were so hard, this theatre kept ticking away, and I think it’s because people here loved it and they wanted it to,” Leah said. “In my mind, it’s not just our theatre, it’s everybody’s theatre.”

“I want people to be able to go by and take their kids and say, ‘Oh, I helped sand that floor. I helped put that seat in.’” Leah said. “It should be that, and we want people to feel involved in it.”

For now, the Tollitsons are knee-deep in week two of the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ run, which will likely be showing at the Columbia Theatre for the next two weeks. You can follow the theatre’s progress on Facebook by following SHEDCO’s page, as well as the Columbia Theatre page, where you will find up coming opportunities to get involved.

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A33

A34 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A35

Local brewery gets $10,000 grant Courtesy photo Running Dogs Brewery owners Maggie and Jaron Clayton accept a $10,000 grant from Nav’s PR Manager Amanda Triest.

The owners of the St. Helens-based Running Dogs Brewery have won a $10,000 grant in a national business contest.

Nav, a free site and app for small business owners to access their business credit scores and get matched to financing options, announced the grant on Monday, May 13.

Jaron and Maggie Clayton, the founders and owners of Running Dogs Brewery at 291 S 1st St., won the prize from in Nav’s fourth Small Business Grant contest.

Running Dogs Brewery, which opened in St. Helens in the fall of 2017, is described as a Continued on A37

A36 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

In Case You Missed It.....

What has...

breakfast & lunch, cards & bingo, yoga, karaoke, exercise classes, free wi-fi, live music, gift shop, and building rentals?

The Rainier Senior Center

All Ages Welcome 48 W 7th Stree • 503-556-3889

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

community-focused establishment that offers patrons a place to drink unique, homebrewed beers in a family-friendly setting.

As the first brick-and-mortar business to be selected as one of the company’s grand prize grant winners, the Clayton’s were surprised with the news at their location in St. Helens during one of the Claytons’ customer appreciation nights.

“It was an honor to tell the Claytons they won the $10,000,” Nav’s PR Manager Amanda Triest said. “The brewery was bustling with activity that afternoon – owners with their dogs on the patio, families playing games and friends enjoying drinks.

Nav’s presence was met with a memorable and emotional reaction from the owners and their patrons.”

To be considered for the Nav Small Business Grant, business owners are asked to share a challenge their business is facing.

When the Claytons applied for the grant, they shared that they struggled with access to capital they desperately needed to expand their footprint.

“We’re beyond grateful to be selected as the winners of Nav’s business grant,” Jaron Clayton said. “In the coming months we

will be expanding into the space next door to ours to accommodate more guests and host larger community-oriented activities.

This money helps make that dream a reality, giving us the capital we need to remodel the space and buy additional brewing equipment.”

Since launching the grant in Spring 2018, Nav has awarded nearly $50,000 to businesses across the country. Each of the Grant winners have shared a common theme among their businesses — their businesses’ greatest challenge is figuring out how to easily and successfully access capital.

“For even the most prepared business owners, the entrepreneurial journey can be riddled with hurdles and challenges,” Nav’s CEO and Co-Founder Levi King said. “Access to financing is one of the largest pain points they may experience. Winning Nav’s Grant serves as a pivotal moment when business owners can take their business to the next level. We’re excited to see the expansion of the brewery and the positive changes that the Claytons continue to make in their business and community.”

To learn more about Nav’s visit to Run-

The Chronicle

GET THE NEWS THE WAY YOU WANT IT!

About Nav More than 500,000 small business owners use Nav to get more funding, lower their costs and save time so they can create the business of their dreams. It gives free access to business credit scores, cash-flow analysis, and tools to help build business credit.

Nav’s online marketplace offers more than 110 financing products, including loans and credit cards, and uses a lenderneutral algorithm to help business owners find the best financing options for their needs before they apply. The company has offices in Silicon Valley and Salt Lake City.

For more information,visit: nav.com.

Vacations by Land or by Sea Caribbean • Mexico Alaska • Europe Asia • Australia South America and more!

Becki Bozart • 971-340-8660 www.bribecktravel.com • becki.bozart@cruiseplanners.com FLST# 39068 • CST# 2034468-50 • HST# TAR-7058 • WAST# 603-399-504

Becki Bozart Cruise planners

Only $4 a month for full digital access SUBSCRIBE TODAY. 503.397.0116 www.thechronicleonline.com

A PUBLICATION OF

ning Dogs Brewery and the couple’s vision for the future of their business, read Nav’s latest blog post.

Two other small businesses were also awarded grants. The American Edge, a veteran-owned knife sharpening business in New Hampshire, received $2,000, and SoCal Succulents, a design-your-own floral arrangement business focused on tabletop gardens, was given $1,000.

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Columbia County resident

Specializing in: • Multi-generational travel • Special needs travel • All things DISNEY Follow me on Facebook

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A37

Port of Columbia County: New name, several projects planned for 2019 McNulty Creek Industrial Park

Courtesy photo

In January 2019, the Port of St. Helens was officially renamed the Port of Columbia County. The new name is a better reflection of the geographical reach and responsibility of the Port, which spans the entire 51-miles of Columbia River frontage of Columbia County, and is more inclusive of all the cities in the Port district.

The Port of Columbia County has several exciting projects on the horizon in 20192020, with a proposed capital investment of over $10.4 million. At the Scappoose Industrial Airpark, the Port is partnering with the City of Scappoose on a $650,000 water and sewer project, which will bring sanitary sewer service to the west side of the airport and complete the water line “loop” that serves the area. This project will allow the Port to better serve existing tenants and provide capability for future growth, both inside and outside the airport fence. Construction will begin in spring of 2019.

The Port will also invest $3,250,000 at the Scappoose Industrial Airpark to construct a 31,500 sq. ft. hangar and office building for Devinaire LLC, an air charter company looking to relocate their operations from Hillsboro to Scappoose. The project calls for 27,000 sq. ft. of clear span hangar space with complete utilities and fire protection and expects to break ground in late summer of 2019.

In St. Helens, the Port is planning a 35,000 Continued on A39

A38 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

Your family & friends home away from home while visiting you

Frequent guest reward program Temporary long term rates available Host your events in our 100 year old barn

A unique venue for lodging, retreats, weddings, conferences 503-543-2740 • 53758 West Lane Road, Scappoose • www.scappoosecreekinn.com

Located on Rock Quarry Rd. off of Hwy. 30 just North of Tide Cr. Rd. 503-397-5180•customerservicetca@gmail.com

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Port of Westward Industrial Park.

Courtesy photo

sq. ft. speculative building at the McNulty Creek Industrial Park, a new commercial building for an existing tenant at the Milton Creek Industrial Park, and a new warehouse building and dock repairs at the Multnomah Industrial Park. Columbia County has a significant lack of industrial and commercial space, making it a challenge to attract new or expanding businesses to the area. The Port will look to reverse this trend by providing the necessary space for businesses that want to locate or expand in Columbia County.

At Port Westward Industrial Park, the Port is working with NEXT Renewable Fuels to build an advanced biofuels facility. Representing an investment of more than $1 billion, NEXT Renewable Fuels Oregon will be capable of producing more than 37,000 barrels a day of renewable or “green” diesel fuel.

Both the recycled materials and the finished product will move in and out of the Port by ship, meaning little additional rail traffic.

Scheduled to open in 2021, the facility will generate upwards of 200 family-wage jobs in Clatskanie.

Columbia Funeral Home & Cremation Center Columbia Memorial Gardens

Family Owned & Operated. Serving Columbia County Since the early 1900s.

For more information about the Port and current projects, visit www.portofcolumbiacounty.org.

The Chief

Every Life Celebrated

ONLINE

Only $4 a month for full digital access SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 503.728.3350 www.thechiefnews.com

Serving Columbia County for over 90 years Funerals, Cremations, Memorial Services, Grave markers, Pre-Arrangement Plans, Cemetery/Mausoleum Space 681 Columbia Boulevard • St. Helens • www.columbiafh.com • 503.397.1154

Managing Senior’s health care needs so they can stay at home

Call today for a FREE In Home assessment 503-366-1806 www.adeohomecare.com  ALL Caregivers must pass a criminal background check and a drug screen

Locations: Tigard - St Helens - Newport

A40 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Coming Soon!

Scappoose Office Coming Soon!

(503) 987 - 8000 Scappoose Office Scappoose Coming Soon!

Office: (503) 987-8000 (503) 987 - 8000

Here’s What We Can Help You With - Home - Auto - Flood - Earthquake - Boat - Motorcycle

- Recreational Vehicles - Life & Retirement - Umbrella - Business - Commercial

www.sembroinsurancegroup.com 521 S Columbia River HWY Saint Helens, OR 97051 Phone: (503) 397 - 3976 Email: sembrosinsurancegroup@allstate.com

Your local Allstate agency

Here’s What We Can Help You With - Home - Auto - Flood - Earthquake - Boat - Motorcycle

- Recreational Vehicles - Life & Retirement - Umbrella - Business - Commercial

www.sembroinsurancegroup.com

Your local Allstate agency

521 S Columbia River HWY Saint Helens, OR 97051 Phone: (503) 397 - 3976 Email: sembrosinsurancegroup@allstate.com

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A41

NEXT: Building trust and community

CHRIS EFIRD & LOU SOUMAS GUEST COLUMN

NEXT Renewable Fuels is building an advanced biofuel facility at Port Westward. Today we are in the planning and permitting stage. Beginning with this op-ed, we intend periodic updates on the project, so that Columbia County residents understand our plans, and know how to reach us to share questions and comments.

As we shape this project, there are several principles that are important to us that we want you to know.

• We’re planning a state-of-the-art facility that will allow Oregon to lead in the production of renewable fuels. This facility will only ever produce renewable fuels. Our permits will not allow us to produce anything else and we have neither interest nor intention of doing so.

• The economic benefits will be felt here in Columbia County and in Oregon. That means we will seek to hire locally, and we will not take tax breaks. We have already signed agreements with local unions for construction and potential operation of the facility, and we are exploring local training options for the 200+ operational staff that will be hired. We will be pursuing other local partnerships, such as providing our Advanced Green Diesel fuel for use in county vehicles in Columbia County.

• We want to bring the facility online as soon as possible, so that we can realize the benefits of this project for the community and for our investors. We are sensitive to the community impacts of truck and rail traffic. Our facility will use the Columbia River for movement of our products with minimal use of trucks and railcar to or from the site.

We have already secured 25-acres of land from Teevin Bros., and we have an option for an adjacent parcel. Recently, another piece of land at the Port has become available. The land is ideal for our project, and it would allow us to immediately move forward on permitting.

This new land is within the Columbia County enterprise zone, which gives access to certain benefits, including tax abatements. We want to be clear: if we secure this land, we will not accept any tax breaks; if we are not allowed to decline the tax break, we will make available an equivalent amount to fund local projects.

We have estimated the property tax value to be approximately $36 million in just the first three

years of operations, money that can and should support a range of community services. As with any large project, there are many details to be worked out, including how the funds would be collected and distributed. We are committed to doing that work.

At NEXT, we are interested in growing a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with the residents of Columbia County. We believe it is our job to earn your trust. To that end, we recently made our first local hire, Na-

A42 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

tasha Parvey, to lead community outreach. You will see her and us out and about at events this spring and summer. Please don’t hesitate to share your comments and questions. In the meantime, you can contact us at info@nextrenewables.com or learn more at www.nextrenewables.com.

Chris Efird is the Executive Chairman of NEXT Renewable Fuels. Lou Soumas is the President of NEXT Renewable Fuels.

There’s no place like Saint Helens.

And, like you, we’re happy to call it home. And we’re proud to be here celebrating 20 years of service. Thank you for your business and your trust.

Heather Epperly, Agent Heather Epperly Agency Inc 1570 Columbia Blvd, Saint Helens Bus: (503) 397-2033 fb.com/HeatherEpperlyAgency/

American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 002130 – Rev. 11/16 ©2016 – 10333834

. Helens, Oregon

58640 McNulty Way, St

Call

ICES

LETE PROFESSIONAL SERV

MP (503) 366-0399 FOR CO

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Clatskanie Cultural Center Birkenfeld Theatre & Ballroom UL F I T AU

BE

VERSATILE Columbia County’s

AFFO

RDA

BLE

finest venue for WEDDINGS RECEPTIONS PERFORMANCES MEETINGS BANQUETS WORKSHOPS PARTIES MOVIES DANCES CONCERTS RECITALS AUCTIONS & MORE!

75 S. Nehalem St. Clatskanie

“We have catered many different kinds of events at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, and they never disappoint! The venue is absolutely stunning, there is a large theater and bar downstairs, a large ballroom and bar upstairs, tons of space, a great warming/prep kitchen to use. The staff are incredible and always do such a great job at making the place look fantastic. They have done an amazing job at restoring the building and even if you don't have an event there, it is wonderful to pop your head in and check out! It is absolutely gorgeous on the inside. As a vendor, we are always happy to work there, and as a client.. you could not find a more beautiful or more affordable venue to host an event at!” - Bear Country Catering SCHEDULE YOUR EVENT SOON!

https://clatskaniefoundation.com/cultural-center

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

CONTACT ELSA: 503-728-3403 elsawooley1@gmail.com

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A43

Plymouth Pub up and running Photo: Christine Menges Plymouth Pub operators, Brad Rakes and fiancé, Elisa Akin, worked since Dec. 1 to ready the business for customers.

CHRISTINE MENGES

CHRONICLE2@COUNTRYMEDIA.NET

St. Helens residents and visitors now have a new restaurant to visit.

Plymouth Pub, located at 298 S. 1st St. in St. Helens, opened at the end of April after months of preparations.

Owner Brad Rakes said the name of the restaurant is in honor of the former name of the city of St. Helens, which was founded as “Plymouth.”

The restaurant sits on the spot where different businesses have operated. According to Rakes, the address has served at different times as a community access center, different pizza places, and as the site for St. Helens Café, which Rakes said had been there for decades.

The lease for the building was signed on Dec. 1 of last year. Rakes, who has been in the restaurant industry for years, said he had been looking for a location for a new restaurant for a while. He had closed his old restaurant in West Linn in 2015, and after building a house in Rainier, he knew he wanted to start a restaurant close by.

By chance, Rakes discovered a posting on Craigslist for a business site in St. Helens. At the insistence of his fiancé, Elisa Akin, Rakes responded immediately.

Akin, who has been working with Rakes from the beginning, said that they both thought there weren’t a lot of options for a family-friendly sports-themed restaurant in Columbia County.

Continued on A45

A44 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

298 S. 1st Street St. Helens, Oregon • 503-396-5108

Located where the St Helens Cafe used to be.

Pure. Professional.

Sweet Relief St. Helens

1809 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens OR 97051 • 503-369-5382 Monday-Saturday 9AM-9:45PM & Sunday 9AM-9PM

Senior/ Veteran/ Military 10% Discount Everyday Exclusions may apply

Sweet Relief Scappoose

52515 Columbia River Hwy, Scappoose OR 97056 503-987-1193 • Monday-Sunday 9AM-9PM

Live menu available at www.sweetrelief420.com

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

Photo: Christine Menges This is one of the booths at the Plymouth Pub, surrounded by sports photos.

“There are bars that have TVs and stuff, but you can’t bring kids in there,” Rakes said.

Plymouth Pub sports nine large TVs. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with photos of famous athletes. Booths border two of the walls and barstools sit around a selection of tall and regular tables. Rakes said the Plymouth Pub’s cuisine is American, with “standard pub fare,” such as nachos, wings, burgers, sandwiches, as well as salads and seafood options.

“It is a good place to go with a group of people to watch your favorite team, have some good food and some cold beer,” Rakes said.

Since December, Rakes and Akin spent time before the opening working to upgrade and redecorate the restaurant. Rakes said when they first walked in, there was a chipped-up concrete floor and a space badly in need of repainting. The building upgrades include new carpet on the floor. Before opening the business, the kitchen hood system was also upgraded.

St. Helens residents and those from out of town may have heard about Plymouth Pub for the first time on Facebook. Rakes and Akin publicized Plymouth Pub through social media and said that drew attention to their new business. The couple said each day they received questions about when the pub would be opening. They also received numerous responses after Akin posted an invitation to people to apply for jobs at the restaurant. People can also visit the Facebook page to view the Plymouth Pub’s menu.

More distance for your dollar How far can you drive for $50? Compare at crpud.net/electric-vehicles.

2,510 miles

550 miles

2018 Chevy 2018 Chevy Bolt EV Cruze Based on gas price of $3.00 per gallon and PUD residential rates of 7.04¢ per kWh.

503.396.6196

CCB#183456

Plymouth Pub 298 S. 1st Street, St. Helens 503-396-5108

Shop • Donate • Volunteer

503-366-1400

Open Tues-Sat 9 am-5 pm 164 Little Street, St. Helens

CUSTOM CONCRETE WORK • Stamped, Exposed, Broomed, Sand Finish, Flatwork • Pavers, Stacked Walls • Shops Floors, Repairwork • Walls & Foundations

QUALITY CARPENTRY • Decks • Arbors • Fences • Repairs

kevin.artisanconcrete@q.com

Re/Max Power Pros is a team who enjoys guiding buyers and sellers through the real estate process, every day.

We are here to help through education, communication and assistance. Working together as a team is when goals are archived and relationships are created that last a lifetime.

Re/Max ® is the leader in real estate, worldwide. With name recognition, you get the power of Re/Max ® with the home-town touch of local realtors at Re/Max Power Pros. Whether you are ready to buy or sell, this is your first and last stop.

PO Box 470 33465 SW Maple St Scappoose, OR 97056 503.543.8216 (Office)

Give us a call today – Feel the Re/Max difference!

Proudly Serving Columbia & Clatsop Counties Since 1943 Electricity is essential to our everyday lives. It has become so reliable that we rarely even think about it. Electricity heats and cools our homes, cooks our food, cleans our clothes, heats our water, and keeps our lights on. It powers computers, TVs, smartphones and the other technologies that are changing the way we connect with the world. It’s more than electricity. It’s a powerful value in your life - each and every day.

know whats

below.

Call before you dig.

Oregon’s First PUD Low Rates Reliable Services Local Control

www.clatskaniepud.com Office/Outage 503-728-2163 24/7 Secure Bill Pay 844-262-2431

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief

COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019 | A47

Cascadia Home Loans - Get pre-approved by a local mortgage broker Apply online or come see me in person - www.CascadiaHomeLoans.com - Matt McHugh NMLS: 116407

A48 | COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF

The Chronicle AND The Chief