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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2011)
business Creatures, the long-time pet supply store located in Vernonia, has a new owner. Michal Smith and her husband Dennis have taken over operations of the pet store from former owners, Lisa and Ben Edgar. Michal (pronounced like the man’s name “Michael”) will run the day-to-day operations of Creatures and be the smiling face that greets customers most days. She says she is excited to build on the business the Edgars have developed over ten years, and try to find ways to meet more of the needs of the community. Michal Smith is the new owner of Creatures pet store in Vernonia. The Edgars will continue to own and operate Vernonia Florist next door. A joint “Open House Celebration” is planned for Saturday May 7 th . But first of all, we all want to know about her name! “My Mom and Dad got a book of baby names, and instead of looking at the names, they covered those up and just read the meanings of the names,” explains Michal, “and when they came to the meaning of my name, which is “Godly Like,” they chose that name— which was Michael. And they just took the “E” out and turned it into a girl’s name.” While still getting her feet wet with her new business, Smith as already made some minor changes at Creatures. A whole crew of family members showed up last week to help her paint the interior of the shop. And she already has some ideas about how to expand the business. “Ben and Lisa have done a fabulous job over the last ten years of meeting the needs [of the community],” says Smith, “and this is a great time for it to grow and expand and I need to hear more from the people it is here to service.” She says she hopes to talk with customers, especially during the open house, to find out more of what people would like to see the store carry and offer as services. Smith says she will continue to offer grooming services. She is also developing a partnership with the Vernonia Vet Clinic to work together and really enhance awareness of the products and services available here in town. Smith says she would also like to bring in local experts to provide educational opportunities— for instance, puppy training classes or aquarium care. “A lot of questions come in, almost daily, about animal care or behavior, and there are so many people here with expertise, and it would be wonderful to match up people with questions with people with the knowledge,” she says. Smith also says she wants to continue to offer quality pet food options, products, treats and services while developing a customer-friendly retail space. Smith grew up in eastern Oregon, around Pendleton, mostly in Condon. “It’s a little, small town-- 600 people, nine kids in my graduating class, so I’m used to small-town life.” Smith says she has always been an animal lover, from her years of helping out on her grandparents’ ranch near Pendleton, to the present where she has chickens, goats, dogs, cats and horses. “I just love animals and it is inherently a passion, so being able to operate a business where that is the primary concern is of interest and exciting to me,” says Smith. Between the ages of seven and fourteen, Smith says she spent summers on the ranch, working during the harvest, and “riding horses every single day.” In fact, Michal says, she was the Gilliam County Rodeo Queen in 1986. So now Vernonia has more rodeo royalty! Smith says she studied business management and has worked for the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross and as a general manager in the health and fitness industry, including most recently as the General Manager of Hawthorne Farm Athletic Club in Hillsboro. She and her husband moved to Vernonia about six years ago. “I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and have been looking around for an opportunity that would lend itself to fulfilling that— something that would be fun and would also offer service to people,” says Smith. “And this came up, the timing was right for me and we jumped on it.” Smith is planning some fun activities during the Open House— discounts for grooming service appointments that are scheduled during that day, Columbia County Humane Society will be on hand with some adopt-a-pet opportunities, and raffles and giveaways for services and products. The “Open House Celebration” will take place on Saturday, May 7, starting at 10:00 A.M. at 736 Bridge Street. Stop by for cake and punch, special prices, giveaways and meet 2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon, Mackenzie Carr. 11 2011 The Rivers Edge Salon: You Will Feel at Home Here Becky Clapshaw has opened a new business, moving her salon business from inside Spiralz Salon to her home near the end of Lone Pine Road. Clapshaw’s new business is called Riverfront Salon, but she is still providing the same services as before, hair cuts and waxing. Set in a beautiful location along the Nehalem River, Clapshaw has created a welcoming and colorful space that will make anyone feel at home. A graduate of beauty school in Hillsboro in 2000, Clapshaw has been doing hair for eleven years. “I’ve always wanted to do hair because my mom is a hairdresser, as well,” says Clapshaw. “I grew up in the salon setting and I loved it when I was little.” Clapshaw grew up in Verboort; her husband Sam is from Gales Creek. They moved to Vernonia about six years ago, and have fit right into small-town life in the country. Becky Clapshaw has opened The Rivers Edge Salon in her home in Vernonia. According to Clapshaw, Spiralz Salon is in the process of relocating in the near future, and so Clapshaw decided to go ahead and convert a spare room in her home into the salon. “I’ve been working with [Spiralz Salon owner] Karin for six years— loved working with Karin; she and I get along very well, and she decided to move, so I had to look for someplace to move as well,” explains Clapshaw. The salon has a private entrance with deck and landscaping; inside the salon seems warm, inviting and comfortable. Clapshaw offers coffee for her clients and has numerous hair products for sale as well. “I wanted to have lots of product so if they needed it, they could come get it,” says Clapshaw. She carries Bedhead, Paul Mitchell and Pearatin products including men’s and children’s products. Clapshaw says she has a very flexible schedule, so whenever people need to come in, she is able to work to schedule an appointment. The number to call is easy to remember: 503-429-HAIR (4247). Open House Celebration! ce s Creatures & Vernonia Florist ath Health Se rv al P r i tu Na Creatures Has a New Owner april26 are celebrating with the community! Saturday, May 7th, 10:00 AM Welcoming Michal & Dennis Smith as new owners of Creatures Enjoying our first ever Grand Opening for both Creatures and Vernonia Florist Celebrating 10 years in business for Ben & Lisa Edgar Come in and see what’s new. Bring your Mom and get $3 off your Mother’s Day gift from Vernonia Florist. Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace 736 Bridge St Vernonia Free candy basket treats balloons for kids cake punch coffee raffle prizes Miss Rodeo Oregon, Mackenzie Carr will be signing autographs. Bring the whole family and celebrate with us! Dr. Carol McIntyre Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine 503.481.4096 cccmnd@yahoo.com naturalpathhealthservices.com 786 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR, 97064
