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About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 2020)
Coast River Business Journal BUSINESS NEWS Meet the Merchant April 2020 • 3 Interview by Luke Whittaker lwhittaker@coastriverbusinessjournal.com When did the business begin? “In 1971 my dad opened the doors.” CRBJ STAFF Editor/Publisher Matt Winters editor@coastriverbusinessjournal.com Reporter Luke Whittaker lwhittaker@coastriverbusinessjournal.com Office Coordinator Marlene Quillin mquillin@chinookobserver.com Revenue Director Kari Borgen kborgen@dailyastorian.com Advertising Director Sarah Silver ssilver@dailyastorian.com Layout/Design John D. Bruijn jbruijn@dailyastorian.com NEXT ISSUE Publication Date: May 13, 2020 Advertising Deadline: April 29, 2020 CONTACT CRBJ Submit news: news@coastriverbusinessjournal.com Website: CoastRiverBusinessJournal.com Coast River Business Journal 205 Bolstad S. Suite 2, P.O. Box 427 Long Beach, WA 98631 Phone 800-643-3703 Coast River Business Journal is published the second week of every month. Opinions expressed by contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. Letters to the Editor will be accepted, and will be printed at the discretion of the Editor. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. © Copyright 2020 Coast River Business Journal CRBJ is part of EO Media Group When did you first get involved? “Technically, from day one, because we were all snagged into helping. When they were building the building, we all had little jobs. We were always requested to work. If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” Do you remember your first job or responsibility? “Not really the early jobs, other than carrying flats (of plants) around behind my mother as she was transplanting plants.” Has the business changed or evolved much since then? “It’s changed dramatically. The main building is still the same square box, but the inside and greenhouses have changed. This room used to be a greenhouse, but we needed more room for feed and extra stock, so it was converted to a feed room.” What is that giant plant in the back of the greenhouse? “It’s a banana plant. It outgrew its pot and grew into the ground. At the time my dad said ‘Oh, I’ll deal with it later.’ And his ‘deal with it later’ never happened. It’s technically a houseplant since it won’t grow outside.” How long has it been there? “Probably since about 1978 or 1979.” Will it grow bananas? “Yes, it’s creates bananas but I don’t know what species. They’re small bananas.” Have you ever tried to eat them? “No, we’re too chicken.” Can you tell me about the products you carry? “We’re a full-line lawn, garden and farm store. We’ve a huge variety of animal foods for horses, chickens, pigs, goats, rabbits, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, turtles, birds, etc. The only thing we don’t have feed for cattle, because they usually go for just hay or grain, which cattle people buy by the truckload and usually have a supplier.” What’s the difference between ferret and rabbit food? “Ferrets are actually carnivores and the rabbits are herbivores that don’t eat meat or meat byproducts, so they’re totally different.” What kind of animal feed do you sell most often? “Probably chicken. There are a lot of chicken people on the peninsula. During the winter we sell more feed than plants. In spring we sell more plants than feed.” When is the busiest season? “The end of April and the beginning of May, depending on the weather. If it’s miserable people don’t garden, but if it’s ‘tweety birds’ and butterflies, they are out there and wanting plants.” Planter Box Teresa Millner, owner Phone: 360-642-4450 Address: 12706 Pacific Way, Long Beach What has been the impact of the covid-19 outbreak on the business? “It brought in a number of people that would typically shop in Portland.” Proud to be partnering with the Astoria Medical Community to provide quality and affordable laboratory services. What part do you enjoy the most? “Working with the plants. I’ve had a love for plants since I was little and probably always will.” Continued on page 4 INTERPATH LAB WE’RE HERE OUR SERVICES ARE: AFFORDABLE CUSTOMER ORIENTED QUALITY DRIVEN TIMELY CONVENIENTLY LOCATED 2222 Exchange St., Astoria 541-741-3183 M ON - F RI 8 AM - 4:30 PM L UNCH N OON - 12:30 PM
