6 I JUStjOUt
FEBRUARY 16, 2007
northwest
• JOEL HAMLEY
Wonder Ballroom Is Here to Stay
Broker, ABR
The Real in Realtor
incorporated in 1994 is its move this month to
Ownership of the historic Hibernian Hall—
1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Stereotypes continues to he a home stereo store
which is home to Wonder Ballroom’s music venue,
cafe and gallery—changed hands
that also provides home the
z------------------------------------------------------- \
Feh. 2. Co-owners Chris Monlux
ater and office systems.
and Howie Bierhaum, who are gay,
According to Inman, it spe
and Mark Woolley sold the build
cializes in finding better gear
ing to a couple from Northwest
at reasonable prices. "We’re
Portland.
like the Trader Joe’s of home
“People are flipping out because
audio, selecting out the best
they think we’ve sold the business,”
items we can find at particu
said general manager Howie Bierhaum. “All this
lar prices for the performance,” she said.
means is we made a killing in the real estate market.
The new location will offer Stereotypes better
We’re not going anywhere.”
visibility, better parking and a new layout that
Inman designed from scratch. “We’re going to inter
face with computers for streaming audio—everything
in the store is iPod ready. We’re showing custom
install distributed audio and hard drive servers that
can hold 3,000 CDs,” said Inman. All that, and
Stereotypes still sells turntables!
The staff at Stereotypes prides itself on offering
friendly service, honest advice and no judgments
about spending limitations. “1 love showing people
the possibilities, and 1 love it when they get home
and call us back saying that they love their stereo,”
Inman said. “I’ve had customers say they stayed up
'til 2 a.m. listening to music and how nice bringing
music back into their home is and how all their
CDs sound like new.”
Inman said she has supported gay organizations
in the past and puts up fliers for the Portland Gay
Men’s Chorus and the Portland Lesbian Choir.
“We’re always welcoming and helping the gay and
lesbian community with a very honest approach to
music for their home and business.”
Once a DJ for the Woman Soul show on
Howie Bierbaum will continue to run Wonder.
KBOO-FM, Inman also supports local music events
and noncommercial radio stations.
Bierhaum said the ballroom’s eclectic mix of
events, nonsmoking policy, hassle-free eastside
Homestyle Cooking Comes to Town
location and mellow atmosphere have contributed
Gay chef Willie Black and his sister Mari
to the business’ success since it opened in June
opened Odessa’s Café, named for their mother, in
2005. The home to pop and rock shows as well as
September at 3445 N.E. Broadway. Since then,
nonprofit, charity and fine arts events will not
patrons have enjoyed Black’s “special rub.”
change a lick, according to Bierhaum. “The sale has
“My homemade barbecue sauce takes three days
given us the time, energy and money to improve
to cook, and it’s done on a charcoal, hickory and
the business, and we won’t have to worry about the
mesquite grill," he said.
real estate,” he explained.
Wonder Ballroom, located at 128 N.E. Russell
St., has been host to many queer-related shows and
events, including Kiki and Herb, the Total Drag
contest, Basic Rights Oregon’s Strut and several
appearances by the beloved Gossip, returning
again April 4. Bierhaum said he hopes to get the
Girls for Girls Seattle dances to the ballroom as
well. He is excited about upcoming events, such as
appearances by poet laureate Robert Pinksy, Storm
and the Balls and the third annual new music
ensemble.
To reiterate, Bierhaum and friends are still run
ning the show. “We have long-term leases ’til 2013!"
he said. "When the roof leaks, we won’t have to
climb up there anymore. Not having to deal with
the maintenance of a 100-year-old building allows us
to focus on the businesses, which is a real plus.”
business
watch
Always
a Happy Ending
Office: 503-238-1700, ext. 630
Mobile: 971-506-9499
joelhamley@meadowsgroup.com
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www.JoelHamley.com
HURRY,
ENDS
SOON!
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Sunday, Marcii il, 2007
I
FURS
J
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SHEARUNGS
AFTER-SKI WEAR
RAINWEAR
LEATHER
CASHMERE AND
ACCESSORIES
Located on the corner
of 9th & Morrison
811 SW Morrison St.
Portland. OR 97205
503.222.4567
www.schumacherfurs.com
Dariclk W Shou place
20« XW 3rd Vc. - Portland. OR
503-222-533«
Stereotypes Moves
to New Location
Many things have changed since Stereotypes
owner Teri Inman found her love of music in an
all-girls rock ’n’ roll band. The biggest and most
recent change for this audio store since it became
Stereotypes owner Teri Inman's passion for
sound led her store to a new location on
Southeast Morrison Street.