Best of Ferndale 2013

THE

FERNDALE

3

EVENTS | FOOD | SHOPPING | PLACES | PEOPLE | SERVICES The results are in! The people of Ferndale and our loyal readers have cast their votes. Ferndale has several wonderful small businesses, many of which are the best at what they do. We have compiled a section to showcase our best local businesses, important people, and favorite events. Thank you to all who voted!

Business

Kelly’s O’Deli

Ace Hardware

5506 Nielsen Avenue (360) 384-1702 kellysodelicatering.com

5715 4th Avenue (360) 656-6882 acehardware.com

Civic Minded

Large Business HAGGEN Northwest Fresh 1815 Main Street (360) 380-9000 haggen.com

RECREATION Park/Playground 1. Hovander 2. Pioneer park

Community Festival/Event 1. Old Settlers Picnic 2. Street Festival

Meeting Place

1. The Woods Coffee 2. WECU

HOME/AUTO Automotive Service 1. Willands Tech-Auto 2. Pete’s Auto Repair

Tires

1. Les Schwab 2. TDS

Body Shop

Gitts Auto Body

Landscape Mowing

1. Paradise Lawn & Yard Care 2.Carl’s Mower & Saw

Hardware/Lumber 1. Ace Hardware 2. True Value

PET SERVICE

Veterinarian

1. Whatcom Veterinary Hospital 2. Glacierview Animal Hospital

Groomer

1. Hot Dogz & Kool Catz 2. Four Claws Clip & Spa 1. Portal Way Farm & Garden 2. WFC Country Store

SERVICES

Accommodations 1. Silver Reef Casino 2. Super 8 Motel

Financial Institution 1. WECU 2. Key Bank

Floralescents 2058 Main Street (360) 312-8400 floralescents.com

Customer Service

Small Business

Pet Supplies

OVERALL

Start-Up Find Your Fashion Again 1740 Labounty Drive #8 (360) 366-8047 findyourfashion.com

Green

Phillips 66

RDS Disposal

3901 Unick Road (360) 384-1011 phillips66.com

4916 Labounty Dr (360) 384-8011 rdsdisposal.com

DINING

Restaurant 1. Chihuahua 2. Lux Thai

Ethnic

1. Lux Thai 2. Chihuahua

HEALTH/ BEAUTY Fitness Facility

1. Thrive Community Fitness 2. YMCA

Medical Facility

Real Estate Company

Espresso/Coffee

1. Ferndale Family Medical 2. Interfaith Community Health Center

Insurance

Bakery/Café

Dentist

Burgers

Optometrist

Pizza

Pharmacy

1. Sterling Real Estate Group 2. Muljat Group 1. Jensen Agency, Allstate 2. Billy Slesk, State Farm

SHOPPING

Grocery

1. Haggen Northwest Fresh 2. Cost Cutter Foods

Convenience:

1. Ferndale Mini Market 2. Walgreens

Gift Shop/Jewelry 1. Floralescents 2. Allison Amy Jewelry

1. The Woods Coffee 2. MugShots

1. Haggen Northwest Fresh 2. Barb’s Pies & Pastries 1. Good Burger 2. Grant’s Burgers 1. Coconut Kenny’s 2. Papa Murphy’s

ARTS/FUN

Local Charity/ Organization

Furniture

1. Boys & Girls Club 2. Ferndale Food Bank

Farm

1. Boys & Girls Club Auction 2. Chelsey Ebert Dinner

Retail

1. JP Falcon Grady 2. Ferndale High School

Clothing

1. Evergreen Gardens 2. Ferndale Events Center

Florist

1. Main Street Bar & Grill 2. Silver Reef Casino

1. Samuel’s Furniture 2. Wilson’s Furniture 1. WFC Country Store 2. Portal Way Farm & Garden 1. Floralescents 2. Find Your Fashion 1. Find Your Fashion 2. 2nd Avenue Sports 1. Jensen Ferndale Floral 2. Floralescents

1. Dr. Dahl, Ferndale Dental Clinic 2. Lane Meyer Family Dentistry 1. Vision Plus 2. Vision Source, Dr. Mike Hovander 1. Haggen Northwest Fresh 2. Walgreens

Chiropractic

1. Rouse Chiropractic 2. Constantin Chiropractic

Acupuncture

1. Gentle Touch Acupuncture 2. Shannon Freeman LAC, LMP, A Better Way Massage

Charity event

Massage

Local Band

Spa

Wedding Venue

Tanning

Live Music

Hair Salon

Happy Hour

Barber

1. Outlaws Saloon 2. El Nopal

Bar / Tavern

1. Outlaws Saloon 2. Cedars Lounge

1. Silver Reef Casino Spa Hotel 2. A Better Way Massage 1. Silver Reef Casino Spa Hotel 2. L & L Salon and Tanning 1. L & L Salon and Tanning 2. Airbrush by Mandy 1. L & L Salon & Tanning 2. The Uppercut Salon & Boutique 1. Pioneer Barbers 2. Gent’s Club Barbershop

Best of 2013

2B • ferndalerecord.com • Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Kelly’s O’Deli is Ferndale’s Best Small Business Dianne Blakesley has a long track record of service

By Mark Reimers news@ferndalerecord.com

FERNDALE — Dianne Blakesley really gets around — usually with a van-load of food in tow. That may surprise some people, considering she’s been running her Kelly’s O’Deli catering service since 1985.

That’s right, it’s been nearly 30 years since it all began at the corner of Smith Road and Guide Meridian and Blakesley still does a lot of the driving.

“It’s easier than trying to explain where some (long-time customers) are,” Blakesley said.

While catering isn’t a unique business, it’s not hard to see why Kelly’s O’Deli is unique.

“Level of service is our niche,” Blakesley said. “I have 10 clients right now where we do their monthly board meetings. Education groups are big; several political action committees; safety councils at refineries; (refinery) turnaround efforts as well.”

In fact, Blakesley jokes that she named her newest oven the Conoco oven.

Long-time customers are Blakesley’s best business.

Many are so regular that they don’t even have to schedule

their meetings. They only occasionally call if the room or building has changed.

Business for Kelly’s O’Deli is clearly about relationships and personalized service. How appropriate then, that she would be honored with the Ferndale Record’s Best of Ferndale Award in the small business category.

Blakesley’s journey has taken her from her original location to the Bellingham Airport (as a cafe), back to her home in Ferndale and then to her current spot just off Hovander Road.

Despite the benefits each of her past locations offered, it’s hard to argue with 3,500 square feet of storage and kitchen space.

Also, let’s not forget the conference room space she has up over her kitchen that she makes available to just about anyone who asks.

“Bonding with the community is important,” said Blakesley, who often finds herself loaning out equipment when it is needed for a good cause.

While big-ticket customers like the oil refineries and PeaceHealth are helpful, Blakesley knows that community spirit is just as important, and that what goes around, comes around.

Blakesley said she tries to be ready when local organizations or other businesses need a helping hand.

She even watches for the little things.

“Thank you for voting Kelly’s O’Deli Catering Best Small Business in Ferndale. We are truly blessed to live in such an amazing community. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Back row from left: Karen Demerice, Tonia Thrift, Diane Farrow, Tina Jackson and Kimberley Terpsma. Front Row: Greg Kotsay, Dianne Blakesley and Steven Shimko. (Courtesy/Kelly’s O’Deli) When, for example, local radio station KISM ran a contest to see who could promote them the best, Kelly’s O’Deli answered the call and then some, putting stickers on packaging and printing major signage.

They won the contest easily.

At the time, Blakesley was still driving school buses for Ferndale School District and

heard her business named as winner while driving.

“I like promoting other people,” Blakesley said. “It’s the barn-raising style of doing business. People help each other succeed. We had a lot of people come out and help us move (to our current location).”

The holidays are not only busy for the catering

company, but they also provide opportunities to participate in good deeds.

Already, two of the banquet events Blakesley has helped with have had a lot of left-over food that they sent back to be donated to the Lighthouse Mission — meals that she heard were put to good use.

Ferndale Record read-

ers aren’t the only group to recently recognize Kelly’s O’Deli. The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce also made them its most recent Member of the Month.

For more information about Blakesley and Kelly’s O’Deli, visit online at www. kellysodelicatering.com or call 384-1702.

Best Of

THE

3

FERNDALE

BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY in Ferndale

1820 E Main Street (360) 756-0021

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

Best Of

Best Of

Best Of

Best Of

GITTS AUTO BODY BEST

RESTAURANT in Ferndale

5694 Third Avenue

(360) 384-5820

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

Ferndale Mini Market

BEST PIZZA

in Ferndale

in Ferndale

DENTIST

in Ferndale

BEST

CONVENIENCE STORE

BEST AUTO BODY SHOP

BEST BURGERS in Ferndale

in Ferndale

(360) 656-5974

2030 Alder Street (360) 384-1271

in Ferndale

2085 Main Street (360) 384-0497

948 West Laurel Road (360) 384-4626

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

Best Of

Best Of

1740 Labounty Drive #1

Best Of

BEST GROOMER

BEST

BEST SMALL BUSINESS in Ferndale

5506 Nielsen Avenue

5677 Third Avenue (360) 312-9101

kellysodelicatering.com

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

(360) 384-1702

Best Of

BEST TIRES

BEST

BEST

PET SUPPLIES

5687 Third Avenue (360) 380-2502

BEST

GREEN COMPANY

in Ferndale

ETHNIC FOOD in Ferndale

in Ferndale

1731 Labounty Drive (360) 380-4660

5683 Third Avenue (360) 312-9433

in Ferndale

6100 Portal Way

4916 Labounty Drive

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

(360) 384-3688

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

(360) 384-8011

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

Best of 2013

Tuesday, December 24, 2013 • ferndalerecord.com • 3B

Ace Hardware earns customer service award “Then there are brushes, rollers and taping. What about drop cloths,” Merritt said. “We walk them through so they don’t come home and think ‘Oh, I forgot that.’”

Plumbing is another common area where a thorough checklist is important.

In some cases, customers can just get some items just in case and return them if they don’t need them.

“I like being challenged with a problem and finding a solution.

—Gordon Merritt

The team at Ferndale Ace Hardware is being honored for its committment to knowledgable customer service.

(Ferndale Record/Rachael Dawkins)

Service-forward philosophy starts with quality staff

By Mark Reimers news@ferndalerecord.com

FERNDALE — Gordon Merritt is still relatively new to the hardware retail scene.

His store opened on Fourth Avenue just in 2009. But you would never know that from the way his store is set up.

That’s because he is intent on understanding and anticipating his customers’ needs.

Some of that is standard retail theory — organizing visitors into categories and responding accordingly.

For example, some cus-

tomers are “mission shoppers” who always visit with singular purpose. They usually require little more than a greeting.

Then there are the project people who have something in mind but could use a little bit more direction to accomplish it.

“We’ll take some time to work through those things,”

Merritt said. It’s just a matter of finding out where they are in the process of the project and helping map a course to completion.

“Painting is a simple example,” Merritt said, noting that color choices are just a start. There are types of paint and types of sheen to be chosen for the right kind of durability.

But understanding his customers is more than an abstract exercise. And that is why Merritt is the winner of the Ferndale Record’s Best Of Ferndale contest in both the customer service and hardware and lumber categories.

“We are basically trying to be the go-to neighbor,” Merritt said. “Service is the only thing we can offer outside of a good line of products.”

Service, for Merritt, means well-trained employees who are personable and knowledgeable.

“We look for those qualities when hiring,” Merritt said.

“I like being challenged with a problem and finding a solution. It’s a fun process.”

To go by a recent customer experience, something as simple as selling a box knife is an opportunity to go above

and beyond.

“We gave them examples and helped pick it out,” Merritt said. “But we went further and showed them how to change the blade. Since it was an older couple, we told them to come in if they needed help changing the blade.”

Understanding needs also extends to what Merritt offers at his store. And as an owner of an Ace Hardware cooperative store, he has plenty of flexibility regarding what he carries. He has chosen so far to add several lines of clothing to the mix. But he hasn’t stopped there.

“My wife Karen is a customer service queen,” Merritt said. “She added a line of gift items that has changed us even more.”

Ace stores tend to vary greatly depending on their location. Merritt knows, for example, that there are at least two Ace stores in Washington that also carry liquor sections.

Ultimately, running an Ace Hardware store in Ferndale means Merritt has to know what Ferndale people want.

“I have to understand the market and have the ability to fine-tune product to what our customers need,” Merritt said.

“We are local enough to be able to do that.”

Ferndale Ace Hardware is located at 5715 4th Ave. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Call 656-6882 for more information.

Best Of

BEST

FITNESS FACILITY

in Ferndale 1859 Main Street (360) 318-7506

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BEST

OPTOMETRIST in Ferndale

1815 Main Street (inside Haggen)

Thanks for the votes Ferndale!

BEST

VETERINARY HOSPITAL in Ferndale

BEST

Bakery

in Ferndale

BEST

BEST

Large Business

in Ferndale

5610 Barrett Road (360) 384-0212

1815 Main Street - (360) 380-9000

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

Best Of

BEST FINANCIAL

BEST

BEST

Pharmacy in Ferndale

in Ferndale

(360) 746-8890

Best Of

BEST

Grocery Store

Best Of

BEST

BEST

BEST

INSTITUTION in Ferndale

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE

5659 Pacific Hwy (360) 676-1168

2040 Vista Drive (360) 384-1584

1730 Labounty Drive - (360) 380-1151

5715 4th Avenue - (360) 656-6882

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

Best Of

Best Of

in Ferndale

TANNING SALON

in Ferndale

HAIR SALON

in Ferndale

HARDWARE/ LUMBER in Ferndale

CUSTOMER SERVICE in Ferndale

Thank You Ferndale for visiting our stores!

We are here to serve you!

BEST

RETAIL STORE

in Ferndale

BEST BUSINESS in Ferndale

BEST GIFT SHOP

in Ferndale

BEST

Coffee/ Espresso

in Ferndale

BEST

Meeting Place

in Ferndale

BEST SPA

in Ferndale

BEST ACCOMODATIONS in Ferndale

2058 Main Street (360) 312-8400

1867 Main Street - (360) 778-3128

4876 Haxton Way (360) 383-0777

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BY FERNDALE RECORD READERS

BEST MASSAGE in Ferndale

Best of 2013

4B • ferndalerecord.com • Tuesday, December 24, 2013

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Ron Willand of Willand’s Tech-Auto, Ferndale’s best automotive service!

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The doctors and staff at Whatcom Veterinary Ho spital, voted Ferndale’s best ve terinary hospital

Lyndsey, Lorene

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Thanks for voting us the best burger in Ferndale!

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D : lina Dr. Ronald D o w ar ro C k , lly Lewis tal Clinic. Bac ont Row: Sa Fr l s. n ah Ferndale Den ki D d Ly al a n st, Angel Dahl, Dr. Ro l, Kaitlin Fro ah D a gins, Meghan ic Er k, Nichole Coo DeLaGarza,