BUSINESS NEWS
14 • June 2021
Coast River Business Journal
From desert to rain
Story by Edward Stratton
Coast River Business Journal
A decade ago, Jenny “Q” Qaqundah
started Grateful Desert, an herb shop and
apothecary in Joshua Tree, California.
Qaqundah and her partner, Myshkin War-
bler, recently opened a sister store, Grateful
Rain, on Commercial Street in Astoria.
The offerings are ambitious but represent
the background of Qaqundah, a registered
nurse and herbalist for more than 25 years.
The front showroom splits between an apoth-
ecary and aromatherapy bar.
“I’ve studied herbs, and I’m also an RN,”
Qaqundah said. “I see clients one-on-one
and then formulate (a plan) for them… As
an herbalist and an RN, I can talk to people
and educate people about health, about herbs
and help guide them to what would be best
for them.”
Qaqundah, a child of Palestinian immi-
grants, filled a back room with Middle Eastern
specialties such as dates, olives, oils, falafel,
tahini and Baba ganoush. She curates a small
educational library on herbs and health.
Qaqundah said she has worked with and
referred people to Vicki McAfee, an herbalist
who runs A Gypsy’s Whimsy Herbal Apothe-
cary, just down the street.
“I come from Joshua Tree, where all the
stores downtown, we often sell the same
things, but we also support each other,”
Qaqundah said. “It’s a really tight commu-
nity... Up here, it really felt the same.”
Most of the store is Qaqundah’s brain-
child. but Warbler, an eclectic blues, folk and
global singer-songwriter, restores a small col-
lection of vintage string instruments.
“I’m kind of focusing on vintage string
instruments, because that’s what I know and
what I have a passion for,” Warbler said. “…
We’re going to be carrying strings, and cables
and stands.”
Grateful Rain is one of few places in Asto-
ria to carry instruments since the departure
of Thiel’s Music in 2019. Qaqundah said
the couple could offer some instruments on
consignment.
“It’s very eclectic and fun,” Qaqundah
said of the shop. “I mean, why not have a
shop with all your favorite things?”
A journey of trust
Warbler first met Qaqundah, who lived in
Joshua Tree with her daughter Yazzy, while
on tour after releasing a new record, “That
EDWARD STRATTON/COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL
Myshkin Warbler and Jenny “Q” Qaqundah recently opened Grateful Rain in Astoria.
Diamond Lust.” The new couple were soon
tested in 2014 when Qaqundah suffered a
small cut that plunged her into septic shock.
“I went into a coma and had to learn how
to move a finger, and was in an ICU unit for
six months, and then in and out of the hospi-
tal for another six months,” Qaqundah said.
“I had 51 surgeries within that six months.”
Qaqundah would lose both legs below the
knees and five fingers. She published a book
about the experience and her recovery titled,
“Held Together.” Warbler created “Trust and
the Highwire,” a collection of blues, folk,
rock and jazz compositions from her perspec-
tive during the ordeal, and paired with a book
of lyrics, poems and collages.
Warbler and Qaqundah fused their
works into a live performance piece, “Trust.
Together,” and went on tour in 2018 with
15-year-old Yazzy. Warbler had by that point
played several iterations of the Tenor Guitar
Gathering in Astoria. The family stopped on
tour by KALA, a gallery and performance
space on Marine Drive.
“We were just in an RV taking a big fam-
ily camping trip and doing the gigs all up and
down the coast,” Qaqundah said. “And we
stepped out of the RV here, and all three of
us were stunned. All three of us said immedi-
ately that this is where we want to be.”
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Business in Brief
Lum’s Toyota acquires Walla
Walla dealership
Medical Group, oversee quality metrics and be
part of the executive leadership team.
WALLA WALLA— Lori Lum, dealer principal
of Lum’s Auto Center in Warrenton, purchased
the McCurley Integrity Toyota in Walla Walla,
Washington on May 14 with general manager
Justin Teubner. Lum also owns Lum’s Buick,
GMC, Cadillac in McMinnville.
Dave and Shirley Lum started Lum’s Auto
Center in 1969 and now their daughters, Lori,
Julie and Pam, are all involved in the dealerships.
Walla Walla Toyota plans to offer new and used
vehicles, parts and services. For more information,
call the dealership at 509-525-1920.
Sen. Merkley recognizes CEDR
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Columbia Memorial Hospital
greets new chief medical officer
ASTORIA — Board-certified emergency
medicine physician Christopher Strear, MD,
Christopher Strear
FACEP, joined Columbia Memorial Hospital as
the new chief medical officer on June 1.
Strear earned his medical degree from the
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,
and did his residency in emergency medicine
at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He has been
an emergency physician for almost 20 years at
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. He
has also worked at a startup, AkēLex, Inc., and at
Northwest Acute Care Specialists.
Strear will help direct clinical strategy, support
providers in the Columbia Memorial Hospital
Sen. Jeff Merkley recognized Clatsop Economic
Development Resources and Clatsop Community
College Small Business Development Center for
their work in supporting businesses through the
pandemic at a recent town hall meeting.
The Oregon Democrat presented a flag and
certificate that stated, “At the request of the
Honorable Jeff A. Merkley, United States senator,
this flag was flown to honor Clatsop Economic
Development Resource for support of the
community and Clatsop County’s most vulnerable
residents throughout the coronavirus pandemic.”
Kevin Leahy, executive director of the economic
resources group, thanked him for the recognition
and introduced his team members, Jessica
Newhall, Tammy Lambert, Meyer Freeman,
Hermes Ochoa and Ryan Stanley.