community
2014
Reinvesting in Vernonia
thought it would be a win-win.”
Some of the most exciting news
to hit Vernonia in several years was the
confirmation that Gretchen Stelzenm-
ueller has purchased the old Joy Theater
building. Stelzenmueller is the owner/
operator of Gretchen’s Saddlery and is a
current tenant in one of the retail spac-
es that are part of the theater building.
Stelzenmueller is exploring numerous
opportunities to find funding to reha-
bilitate the old building which has been
sitting dormant since the 1996 flood. A
new roof is being put on the old build-
ing which is a great start. Stelzenmuel-
ler says she will be trying to use local
companies for any of the rehab work she
will undertake. She is also open to the
idea of volunteers helping her to reopen
the old theater.
Real Estate agent Bernal had
more good news concerning buildings
in Vernonia. Bernal noted that the deals
have closed for the sale of the Vernonia
Inn and the old Masonic Lodge. Ac-
cording to Bernal, the same person has
purchased both properties and both will
provide additional lodging for visitors to
the community.
Bernal says the real estate mar-
ket continues to rebound and is particu-
larly strong in Vernonia. “We have a lot
of people from Intel who are looking to
live in a small community that is half an
hour from where they work,” says Ber-
nal. “And many of them are younger
families with kids. And I have to tell
june5
9
continued from front page
you, every person who comes into Ver-
nonia just thinks it’s great. They abso-
lutely love it! And so do I. That’s why
I’m here.”
Dana Roach is the owner of The
Black Iron Grill, home of Black Bear
Coffee and the Bear Creek Pub. Roach
recently did a major kitchen renovation,
adding a grill and hood which has al-
lowed him to expand his menu as well as
his staff. “After the flood in 2007 and
the drop in the economy a large number
of area restaurants closed down,” says
Roach. “We saw a void and are trying
to fill it.” A favorite spot for visitors, es-
pecially tourists on bicycles, Roach ex-
panded his outdoor seating area last year
and added additional bicycle parking.
Roach says he is betting on Vernonia be-
coming more of a destination. “I’m very
excited about the future of this commu-
nity,” says Roach.
It looks like things are expand-
ing at the Vernonia Dental office. Dr.
Chris Scheuerman has seen a huge in-
crease in new patients who have been
able to get health care coverage since the
implementation of Cover Oregon. Dr.
Scheuerman says his practice has been
adding over 70 new patients per month
for the last five months. He says he plans
to expand his office this summer into the
space in their building left vacant when
Vernonia Pharmacy closed several years
ago. Vernonia Dental has added several
new positions, so the expansion is add-
ing new jobs to Vernonia as well.
Photo Solutions is a small man-
ufacturing firm servicing global high
tech industries and is one of the only
light industry businesses in Vernonia.
Owner Brad Curtis recently took advan-
tage of Vernonia’s inclusion in the South
Columbia County Enterprise Zone and
expanded his business by purchasing
$200,000 of new equipment. “I see a lot
of possibilities for firms to do business
out here, especially for businesses where
location doesn’t matter,” says Curtis.
“The enterprise zone expansion helps
level the playing field.” Curtis’s manu-
facturing plant was damaged in the 2007
flood and incentives available through
the Enterprise Zone may allow him to
move his business to higher ground at
the California Avenue industrial site cur-
rently under development in Vernonia.
Pam Weller is the branch Man-
ager at Wauna Federal Credit Union.
Weller says she is excited to see busi-
ness owners investing in the Vernonia
community. She says Wauna FCU of-
fers a comprehensive business lending
program that also reinvests in the local
economy. “Any loan that we do goes
back into the counties we serve-Colum-
bia and Clatsop Counties,” says Weller.
“The other great thing is that the people
who are making decisions about your
loan live here in Columbia County.”
Scrub Tub is the local laundro-
mat. Owners Randy and Sharon Par-
row recently added a number of brand
new washing machines to their location.
Randy Parrow says the reinvestment in
the business makes sense, but maybe
not in the way you might think. “This
is not really a money making business,”
explains Parrow. “We are doing this be-
cause we want to support the community
and provide a needed service. People
who live here need this facility. It could
be very prohibitive for people to travel
out of town just to do their laundry.”
These local businesses and own-
ers see something great happening in
Vernonia and are choosing to re-invest
in the community. But they need our
support as well. It is important for all of
us to remember to shop local whenever
possible and support these local busi-
nesses and local owners. After all, we
all want Vernonia to thrive and prosper
and there is a reason we all choose to
live here.
I think maybe Sharon Bernal
said it best when she was discussing the
real estate market. “If you just come to
Vernonia you’re going to love it. If you
just get to know some of the people in
this community, you’re going to love it.”
Columbia Humane Society
Featured Pet
"Rena"
Rena caue to the shelter as a stray, so
we are still learning about her. When
she caue in she was very shy and wasn't
ready to have new people touch her.
During her tiue at the shelter she has
learned lots of neat things about how
great people are. khe is still a little
hesitant to juup up on your lap but give
her soue tiue and she will be the love of
your life. khe shows a lot of interest in
cats, and seeus to really like other dogs.
We think she is probably going to do
better with older kids, uaybe around 10
years old. khe weighs in right around
18lbs. Her adoption fee is going to be
$165. If you have any questions we will
be happy to answer theu.
2084 Oregon Street
Phone: 503-397-4353
St. Helens, OR 97051
Email:
Web: www.columbiahumane.org
animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org
VERNONIA
291
A
Street
E
C
I
V
SER PAIR
& RE
Warranty on all parts and labor
Now offering
2 and 4 wheel
alignments
58605 NEHALEM HWY. S.
Next to Storage, Too
503/429/7972
call Kim
• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry
• Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction
• Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements
Jim Morrison, Jr.
General Contractor
CCB# 112057
Ph: (503) 429-0154
MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net
Vernonia, OR 97064
• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
Lovable service at
a reasonable price
• Bathing
• Haircuts
• Nail Clipping
• Nail Polishing
• Specialty
Shampoos
