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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2016)
Wallowa County Chieftain wallowa.com Programs beneit businesses BIZ BUZZ Kathleen Ellyn T his week the news I have supports folks at either end of the busi- ness spectrum. First off, The Individual Development Account (IDA) is a saving program open to folks who qualify based on income — and many Wallowa County folks do qualify de- spite having a full time job or even two jobs. I’ve plugged this program before, but numerous small business in Wallowa County have beneited and it’s just been expanded to assist peo- ple who simply need reliable transportation to get to work. The savings program re- quires the individual take some excellent classes in business and money man- agement. Then the federal program matches a monthly savings at a rate of 3 to 1. This means if you save $2,000 at the end of three years you get back $6,000 to invest in your business, schooling, home ownership or special equip- ment to assist you in your job. The program caps at a savings of $3,000 with a $12,000 pay- out. Now, Northeast Oregon Economic Development Dis- trict (NEOEDD) is offering limited participation in a pilot program that extends the Indi- vidual Development Account (IDA) reach to include vehi- cle purchases. Applications will be ac- cepted through Sept. 20; be- tween one and three IDA sav- ers will be accepted into the program. Once accepted, program participants receive free money-management and car-maintenance instruction, helping them build iscal re- sponsibility and saving habits that can last a lifetime. Savings here also are matched 3 to 1, with a cap of $8,000 total. “The IDA program is not a grant, it’s an earned incentive coupled with goal-setting, ed- ucation and practical experi- ence saving over a period of 6 to 36 months,” said NEOEDD Executive Director Lisa Daw- son, “It’s essentially a inan- cial-responsibility program.” • Shifting gears, Visit East- ern Oregon has a goal of es- tablishing at least one farm loop in each of ive project counties, including Wallowa. They’ve already inished the Cove-Union Farm Loop. Maps and brochures facilitate a scenic drive through a se- ries of backyard farm stands, greenhouses, pastures and orchards in and near Cove, Union and La Grande. The tour includes suggest- ed stops to view the agricul- ture exhibits at the Union County Museum, experience a livestock auction and pick up some garden or farm sup- plies while rubbing elbows with cowboys and farmers. Vendors offer fresh-cut lowers, fruit and produce, as well as ways to ill a freezer with pasture-fed poultry, pork and beef. It’s a great way to bring back the family-friendly Saturday or Sunday drive through the country and bring back fresh, local produce for a great family supper. This agritourism strategy would be a great it here in Wallowa County. There will be a meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11 at Prairie Creek Center in Enter- prise for locals to meet with land use and food service reg- ulators and to begin identify- ing stops on a potential Wal- lowa County farm loop. See the Cove-Union Farm Loop map and download a digital version at www.Visi- tEasternOregon.com. • Speaking of agriculture: many of you will have noticed we have a new business in town up at the old Top Hand Restaurant location on High- way 82 just as you enter En- terprise from Lostine. Zions Bank has set up an ofice in Wallowa County and staffed it with local people who understand the needs and values of Wallowa Countians. The bank specializes in helping agricultural and oth- er businesses deal with land deals, loans for farm equip- ment, SBA loans and manage- ment of federal loans. “We’re a little different than a bank branch in that we don’t have tellers,” said Kelly Robertson, director of com- mercial banking for Zions’ Western Idaho Region. “But we offer a full range of ser- vices for agricultural produc- ers, ag business, commercial business and municipalities.” Robertson said the move to Wallowa County was a natural extension of what Zi- ons did in Idaho and they had been considering the move for some time. “It was a question of ind- ing the right people and when we found Phillip Ketscher and Wendy Simmons we found exactly what we wanted,” Robertson said. “We think Wallowa County is a great place to live, work and play and the rich agricultural histo- ry, outdoor activities and good people — we love those kinds of communities. We have very experienced, dedicated employees who are from that area. We think it’s a perfect match. We really do believe you can’t create value for the industry unless you really un- derstand it.” Ketscher graduated from Enterprise High School and went to work in banking for Farm Credit Services in three states and Community Bank in Joseph. He’s also ranched on the side and is married with two children — Emily, 20, and Kobe, 17. Simmons, a graduate of Wallowa High School, worked for Community Bank in Walla Walla, Joseph and La Grande. She is into roping. Sounds like they it, all right. The interior of the former cafe has been fully remod- eled to suit banking needs and lowers have been hung out- side to smarten the place up. New signage also is planned to help make the bank easy to ind. Please send your Biz Buzz news tips to Kathleen Ellyn at kellyn@wallowa.com. Business July 27, 2016 A5 Empty building on Joseph’s Main St. gets new life as Cabin Fever Restaurant By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain When Lori and Kent Barnes left Wallowa County back in 2007, they did so for the best reasons. Grandma Dorothy Simmons of Stan- ield/Hermiston was getting up in years and they wanted to be nearer to her to monitor her care and to give the kids — Hunter and Annalese — some quality time with Grandma. It was the best decision and after some adjustment every- one settled into Hermiston. Kent took a job teaching with Sandstone Middle School and it turned out to be the blessing they’d hoped for. After Grandma passed, they looked at their situation and realized that though Kent had a contract with the school and son Hunter, 17, was well into his college credit courses at Stanield Secondary School, they wanted to come home to Wallowa County. “We’ve been looking for a way back ever since she passed,” Lori Barnes said. “And this place (the former Mountain Air Cafe at 4 S. Main St.) was empty. This seemed to be the opening that kept presenting itself.” It was an odd opening for folks who had never operat- ed a restaurant, but there was Grandma’s collection of rec- ipes that had garnered raves for decades. There were those kids — Hunter, 17, Annalese, 15, niece Cierra, 16, and friend Abagail Barron, 22 — all looking for jobs. There was that huge retail space next to the restaurant for Kent Barnes’ extra-mon- ey hobby work, one-of-a-kind furnishings made from lodge pole pine. Even with a restaurant on one side and two rooms of Marketplace on the other, the huge building still provided a large room in the back for ... well, what about ping pong tables? Lori had years of expe- rience putting on huge sport- ing events, after all. And didn’t Wallowa County folks need an indoor sports venue? And so Cabin Fever Restaurant and Northwest Marketplace were born and ping pong challenges are being incubated. The businesses opened June 17, and from the begin- ning the public responded. Bicycle groups called for reservations for 30, ping pong groups called to encourage the indoor sports ideas, runs on the scrumptious desserts left the family scrambling on a Sunday morning after church to restock the shelves and re- charge the Flavor Burst Ice Cream machine. Kathleen Ellyn/Chieftain The crew at Cabin Fever Restaurant in Joseph. From left: Kent Barnes, Lori Barnes, Hunter Barnes, Annalese Barnes and Annalese’s cousin Cierra. “Everyone has been amaz- ing,” Lori Barnes said. “Cus- tomers are gracious and for- giving of our young workers. Everyone in the family has found their place and we run it like family. The ones that weren’t oficially family are now.” Making everyone, from workers to diners, feel like family is one of the things that Lori enjoys the most. “We love it,” Lori said with a laugh. “When you know you’re supposed to be somewhere and your heart is full it’s amazing.” Kent will go back to Hermiston in the fall to inish his contract with Sandstone Middle School, and Hunter will graduate from Stanield Secondary School before the family is completely reunited. In the meantime Lori Barnes has Gale Gorrad help- ing train the staff and local baker Joann Van Belle an- swering emergency bakery calls. Van Belle’s famous pies are featured alongside Grand- ma’s dessert recipes at the restaurant as well. In addition to the huge se- lection of desserts, the restau- rant offers a pack of cold chicken and homemade sides for picnics, pasta salads and other vegetarian offerings, BLTs and triple grilled cheese, Angus burgers on pretzel buns, broasted chicken and more. Vegetarians will ind something to eat as well. The Barnes have a two- year plan for improvements, and Lori Barnes intends to change the menu with the sea- sons. “We’re on a huge learning curve here,” Lori Barnes ad- mitted. “But restauranting just invited us in. We love people — it’s who we are.” Hours of operation are a bit idiosyncratic: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 1-6 p.m. Wednesday (desserts only, no grill); 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For large party reservations call 541-571-6282. Applications for help are still being taken. MEDICARE BIRTHDAY RULE If you have a Medicare Supplement Plan you have 30 days after your birthday to compare & apply for a new Supplement Plan. Call Kathleen TODAY to discuss your options for a lower Medigap premium. 541-426-4208 Locally owned & operated 616 W. North Street, Enterprise Awesome staff and work environment, great company to work for and the boss is super cool. Sound like your kind of place to work? The Wallowa County Chieftain is seeking a part-time administrative / advertising assistant. This is a rare opportunity to learn multiple aspects of our business. Successful candidates will need problem-solving and computer skills plus the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. Must be very accurate and detail oriented plus have excellent customer service and communication skills. Driving and criminal background checks will be completed pre-hire. Pay starts at $10 per hour and the hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Send resume and letter of interest to East Oregonian Publishing Co., PO Box 2048, Salem, OR 97308-2048, by fax to 503-371-2935 or e-mail hr@eomediagroup.com. Let's Fill Up Main Street Register Your Car, Truck or Bike Now Beautiful Local Artisan Trophies - Door Prizes Goodie Bags - Poker Run - Merchant Game - Free NSRA inspection - Street Dance - Concerts - Elks Breakfast - Lots Of FUN! Volunteers Needed -- Vendors Welcome Indoor Community Yard Sale -- Spaces Available mainstreetshowandshine.com MAINSTREETSHOWANDSHINE@GMAIL.COM Contact Doug Crow (541) 426-2100