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About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2019)
8 • December 2019 BUSINESS FEATURE COAST RIVER bUSINeSS JOUrNAL LUKe WHITTAKer Accent Ink NW manager David rhoadarmer said the downtown core has resisted being impacted by burgeoning big box stores outside Astoria, largely because each business caters to a different customer base and carries unique inventory. 60s, 70s and 80s include everything from Slinkys to My Little Ponies. Traditional U.S.-made toys include wagons, wood building blocks and dolls. “The Hearts for Hearts Dolls sell 4-to-1 over the others,” Ank said. An entire wall is dedicated to board games, from from classics to latest releases. “We’ve got everything from Ticket to Ride to Azule, which just came out,” Ank said. Another section is devoted to science, technology and engineering toys. “We’ve got a ton of robotic stuff,” Ank said. Among the favorite is the Robot- ikits, including one that allows hands-on step-by-step instruction for building a 4-stroke engine. “You can build a whole engine block,” Ank said. The puzzles and thinking toys are popular with adults. The arrival of Walmart hasn’t had an impact, according to Ank, largely because they carry different product lines and can’t match the quality of service. “You don’t walk in here and feel like nobody isn’t going to talk to you,” Ank said. However, some nearby store closures have had a ripple effect for the fami- ly-owned toy store on the corner. “What’s had a worse impact has been the closure of J.C. Penny’s. It’s just deso- late down here now. Where it used to be hopping, with a music store and Penny’s. People would come for the early-bird special at Penny’s on Friday (Nov. 28),” Ank said. But there’s a silver lining. “We’ve outlasted Toy R Us, which I never thought would happen,” Ank said. Original, one-of-kind style Accent Ink NW 1125 Commercial St., Astoria David Rhoadarmer, manager 503-741-3043 accentinknw.com ASTORIA — The original Oregon ‘raindrop’ design and classic ‘Astoria, Oregon’ emblem is screen printed on shirts and emblazoned across hats, mugs and stickers. It’s these two original designs that have remained as the backbone over the past nearly five years for Accent Ink NW, a screen printing and embroidery busi- ness at 1125 Commercial St. “Those are the staples,” said manager David Rhoadarmer. “We’ll always carry those designs.” In spite of seasonal store sales, busi- ness has never been better, according to Rhoadarmer. “It’s going amazing,” Rhoadarmer said. “This is our second location. Our first location is in Longview and it’s just a pro- duction shop, where we have the printing presses. Astoria is home now. I found a
