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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2020)
The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com Single-use bag ban now enforced statewide Retailers now required to charge for paper or reusable bags at checkout Oregon restaurants and retail stores — including gro- cery stores — are no longer allowed to provide single-use checkout bags. Reusable paper, plastic and fabric bags can still be provided, but retailers are required to charge at least 5 cents per bag (restaurants may still provide paper bags at no cost). While the City of Hood River has banned stores from providing single use plastic bags at checkout since 2017, the state law (House Bill 2509) preempts the local ordinance, and establishes the bag ban statewide. House Bill 2509 was passed during the legislative session in April, 2019, and went into full effect on Jan. 1, 2020. “By encouraging the switch to reusable or recycled paper bags, Oregon can reduce the amount of bags that are used once and thrown out, while also addressing a significant problem for Oregon’s recy- cling programs: Plastic bags,” reads an official statement on Oregon.gov. “When plastic bags end up in recycling bins, they can contaminate the recycling stream and endanger the safety of workers, who must untangle them from recycling equipment. This is also a positive first step toward ad- dressing the large amount of plastic debris in the oceans, which threatens Oregon’s marine wildlife.” Customers who do not bring reusable bags should expect to pay a small fee at the register if they want to use bags provided by the store. While single-use checkout bags are banned completely, stores may provide plastic, fabric and paper bags so long as they meet certain criteria: Paper bags are required to be made of at least 40 percent recycled fiber, and both plas- tic and fabric bags have to have handles and should be designed and manufactured for multiple uses (plastic bags must be “made of dura- ble plastic that is at least 4 millimeters thick” and fabric bags must be “made of cloth or other machine-washable fabric.”) While the law mandates a minimum price of five minutes per bag, the fee can vary between stores, cities and counties, and the money collected goes to the retailer. The fee is intended to help offset the costs businesses pay to purchase sustainable, reusable bags. Some bags, such as those for bulk items and privacy purposes, are not subject to the ban. Retail stores and restaurants may provide certain reusable bags for free to customers using a WIC voucher or electronic bene- fits transfer card. Bags sold in packages for uses such as food storage, garbage or pet waste are also allowed. The ban is to be enforced by local law enforcement, and violations fall into Class D, which means a maximum fine of $250 per day. By Sept. 15, 2024, grocers are required to provide the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with information on collection of bag fees and customers’ usage of recycled paper, reusable fabric and re- usable plastic checkout bags; and the DEQ must submit a report on this information to the legislature by Sept. 15, 2025. For more information on HB 2509, visit www.oregon. gov/deq/mm/production/ Pages/Bags.aspx. GOOD Remodel creates a jewel downtown Continued from page A8 from Gorge Academy of Cosmetology last spring. And she is being choosy about which professionals to bring into the spa and salon. “This space needs talented people, the right energy. Kindness needs be throughout it.” Here is the current lineup: Jellum offers esthetics and lash extension; Ryan Thompson, hair; Yolanda Poland, full cosmetology; Gayle Clark, nails; Matt Nance, hair; and Amber Thomas, Bowen massage. And what about the name? Beau Toi is French for beautiful you. Jellum thought it jibed well with our city name, given by French Fur trappers who first referred to our area as Les dalles, mean- ing The Slabs. It’s purportedly an allusion to the rocks that created rapids in this area prior to dams being built. At a Turning Point? The spa and salon, located next to Canton Wok, is just the latest transformation. Examples abound within the downtown area. Copper West Properties rebuilt The Dalles Auto Electric Building; Platinum Mortgage, the former Don’s Cleaners & Laundry; Lindsey and Tom Giamei with their gift shop The Workshop and trans- formation of the American Legion building; Travis and Jen Dillard’s Loft Apartments in the Honald building. Beau Toi day spa & salon with Matthew Ryan, Nichole Jellum (own- er), Yolanda Poland and Gayle Clark opened in October. It offers yet another example of downtown building renovations occurring in The Dalles. Contributed photo Todd Carpenter and Carla McQuade with the Last Stop Saloon. Investment is in the millions of dollars as inves- tors are betting on a good return. Market research reveals that sales increase at smaller retails after a remodel, according to the American Marketing Association quoting a study by Australian Monash University. In a small independent retail store, the sales increases in the year after the remodeling were 43 percent for new customers and 7 percent for existing customers, it reported. You have to wonder if the same goes for restoration efforts downtown—is the current vote of investor con- fidence triggering others to come kick tires and or jump in with new businesses or restorations. Is this just the beginning for The Dalles? Are we headed for critical mass, possible boomtown? Or is it just a bubble? Either way, Mareta Maier said she like the direction Jellum was taking with her building, noting it is a sense of pride for her. “It was a fright when Aero Print had big machines and boxes all over the place,” she said. “Nichole’s been a bright spot down there. She’s a jewel.” For more information on Beau Toi, call 541-851-7228. This Holiday Season, give someone you love the GIFT of HEALTH Purchase a $100 gift certifi cate to give to someone special for $25. HOOD RIVER 1330 Brookside Dr | 541.386.3230 THE DALLES 731 Pomona St | 541.298.8508 Certifi cates may be used for enrollment fees or fi rst month’s dues. Not valid for use by current members. Local address, proof of employment and a 12-month agreement required to redeem. Must be redeemed by Jan 31, 2020. One certifi cate per new membership agreement allowed. May purchase multiple certifi cates to gift. Not refundable. See club staff for complete details. 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