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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 25, 2017)
Saturday, November 25, 2017 BUSINESS BUSINESS: Changes in technology caused the demise of Crazy Mike’s Video Store Page 8A East Oregonian Continued from 1A been replaced by McLeod’s Bargain Bin, Defining Details is now Two96 Main and the former Indulge space has been taken over by N2N Integrations. Susan Bower of Eastern Oregon Business Source said as new entrepreneurs decide to take the plunge, they face common challenges but they also share ways to help miti- gate those challenges. One of the biggest prob- lems for new small businesses is having enough capital to get started and then ride through the rocky times. Passion is an important ingredient to success, but Bower said banks and potential investors are also going to want to see a plausible, concrete plan for financial success before they are willing to extend a line of credit. “Having a business plan is critical, and following that plan is essential,” she said. There are resources available to teach would-be entrepreneurs those types of skills, including the small business development center at Blue Mountain Community Staff photo by E.J. Harris Cindy Traner, owner of the C and R Mercantile Co., jokes with longtime customer Cindy Wilson at her store Tuesday in Hermiston. College and workshops by the chamber of commerce. Business owners also need to have enough money in savings so their business won’t sink in the first few months as they start from scratch and attempt to build a customer base. “You need some kind of support to get through the low times,” Bower said. “As a business owner you’re the last one to get paid, if you even get paid.” Bower said entrepreneurs also need trusted advisors, including an accountant and an attorney, and some sort of bookkeeping software to keep their financial information organized. She said many business owners feel like they don’t have the money for those things up front, but she said it’s some of the “best money you can spend early on” to make sure the store or restaurant gets off on the right foot and doesn’t stumble into roadblocks that could devas- tate the business. Other problems that can sink a small business are hiring the wrong employees, not marketing enough, poor customer service/product quality, not thinking outside the box or being pushed out by competition from other stores or changes in consumer habits. Changes in technology were what caused the demise of Crazy Mike’s Video Store, which went out of business in Hermiston at the beginning of the month. Owner Sam Jackson said people just don’t go to video stores to rent movies as much since the advent of streaming services like Netflix and iTunes. “Busy schedules made streaming more convenient,” she said. And while the drop in customers ate into revenue, changes in minimum wage and other labor laws were increasing expenses at the same time. In the end, Jackson said, although she had a “great appreciation” for her customers, it was time to acknowledge that brick- and-mortar video stores were becoming a thing of the past. Sharon Harvey of Sharon’s Sweet Treats said she was sad to close her doors recently, but there just weren’t enough customers through the door. “We have to support our merchants if we want them to stay, that’s the bottom line,” she said. Not all small businesses close for financial reasons. “Being your own boss” can sound like a great perk to running a small business when you’re tired of being told what to do, but it’s less attractive when it also means you’re on the hook for every problem and can’t take a vacation because there is no one else to run the store. Sometimes small business owners just decide to move on to greener pastures, whether it’s a promising job offer or spending more time with family. Shannon Snyder, who ran a small retail shop on Main Street called Defining Details, closed up a little more than a year ago to focus on her photography business and her four children. She said she had “fabulous” customers who supported the retail venture, but she felt like it was time for a change in her work-life balance. “There were a number of reasons, but the main reason was that being a small busi- ness owner is everything on one person, and with children at home that was getting hard,” she said, explaining that she found herself constantly planning and thinking about work while she was home with family. “I needed more head space for home.” As for the closing of C&R Mercantile, Traner said she plans to spend a few months in Hawaii for an agricultural job, then try and do some sort of home-based business. She expressed frustration that she didn’t get more business from friends, fellow members of the business community, church members and city leaders, but said she was at peace with her decision to close after making a go of it for the last five years. On Tuesday afternoon a customer wandered into the store and commented it was his first time inside the mercantile. “You’re about five years too late,” Traner replied. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4536. Commerce announced the “Rewards Cards” program kicked off earlier this week. When shopping at participating businesses, be sure to collect the cards to be cashed in for a chance to win prizes during Heppner Celebrate Christmas. The event is Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. the Morrow County Fairgrounds. Rewards are available in denominations of $10, $20 and $50, but can’t be collected on account payments. Also, $10 reward cards will be given for each meal purchased for the Christmas event. People are encouraged do help support local businesses while increasing their chances to win a prize donated by local and out-of-town merchants. For more information, contact the chamber at 541-676-5536 or heppnerchamber@ centurytel.net. First Thursday gets festive BRIEFLY Art of the Gift offers unique shopping venue PENDLETON — A custom balloon sculptural installation will float above the annual holiday art exhibit and sale at Pendleton Center for the Arts. Amber Clark of Walla Walla, who owns Up Balloon Boutique, created the display. Arts center executive director Roberta Lavadour said it adds a breath of fresh air to the space. Art of the Gift features more than 50 fine arts crafters, providing a unique shopping venue that includes many one-of-a-kind items. In addition to a number of returning artists, the event includes several first-time participants, Lavadour said. “It’s exciting to see local artists developing their talents, and it’s energizing for them to see someone buying an item they’ve put their heart and soul into,” she said. There is no admission charge for Art of the Gift. It’s open Tuesday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. at 214 N. Main St., Pendleton. It runs through Dec. 31. In addition to shopping, visitors can participate in free, drop in, make-and-take projects each Saturday. A featured project Saturday, Dec. 2 includes a “Wreath Bar.” Kris O’Grady of A Bushel and a Peck flowers will offer a custom station from noon to 4 p.m. where guests can purchase a lush wreath and choose embellishments to be added while they wait. For more information, call 541-278-9201 or visit www. pendletonarts.org. women’s clinic is something providers have been “dreaming about for years.” The clinic officially opens in December. Women’s Center to host open house Columbia Bank spreads holiday warmth HERMISTON — Community members are invited Tuesday to visit Good Shepherd Health Care System’s new Women’s Center and meet some of the hospital’s newest physicians. Good Shepherd will host an open house from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Good Shepherd Medical Plaza, 620 N.W. 11th St. in Hermiston. Attendees will be able to tour the 11,000-square-foot Women’s Center, part of the hospital’s north wing expansion project. According to a statement by Good Shepherd Medical Group vice president Troy LeGore, the new clinic has more than double the space of the current location and will allow Good Shepherd to keep up with the population growth that Hermiston has experienced in recent years. Community members will also be able to meet the new physicians: general surgeon R. Todd C. Jones, M.D., orthopedic surgeon Patrick Harrison, D.O., pediatrician Allan Damian, M.D., family medicine physician Matthew Carlson, D.O., and chiropractor Christopher Scott, D.C. OB-GYN Gary Trupp M.D. said that the new SHOP LOCAL % % 30 OFF 50 OFF Friday Nov 24th 10-5 • Sat. Nov 25th 10-4 All clothing, hats and outerwear for men, women and kids. Last chance items All in-store purchases entered to win prize package Includes 2018 Tickets Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Gift Store M-F 10-5 and Sat 10-4 1114 SW Court Ave • Pendleton 541-276-2553 Shop online www.leterbuck.com The annual Warm Hearts Winter Drive is now underway through Columbia Bank. In addition to money, people can donate winter clothing. Donations will be distributed through local shelters or advocacy groups for the homeless. Coats, gloves, scarves, hats, long underwear, socks, throw blankets and more can make a difference for people living in the elements during the cold winter months. Donations can be dropped off through the end of December at any branch of Columbia Bank. Local branches are located at 2101 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton, and 1033 S. Highway 395, Hermiston. To make financial donations online, visit www.columbiabank.com/ warmhearts. After launching the project in 2015, Columbia Bank received regional and national honors for its efforts. During the 2016 holiday season nearly $210,000 was collected, as well as 8,140 cold weather items. For questions, contact Olivia Gust at ogust@allisonpr.com or 503-290-7304. Heppner merchants reward local shoppers HEPPNER — South Morrow County residents can be rewarded for shopping local during the holiday season. In its 10th year, the Heppner Chamber of HERMISTON — The December Hermiston Downtown District First Thursday event coincides with the city of Hermiston’s tree lighting celebration. People are encouraged to browse participating merchants from 4:30-7 p.m. In addition to discounts, there will be refreshments and a bonus drawing. The tree lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. at the city’s festival street, located on Northeast Second Street between Gladys Avenue and Main Street. The celebration will include food vendors, caroling and a visit from Santa Claus. For more information, call the city at 541-667- 5018 or search Facebook for “Hermiston Downtown District.”
