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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2018)
Business Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, October 3, 2018 A3 Chester’s is first Thriftway with variety department Managers open to requests for merchandise By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Chester’s Thriftway owners Bob and Kay Cow- an-Thompson opened a new addition to their grocery store in late June: a variety depart- ment. Shelves are stocked with a wide array of household goods, apparel, fabric, crafts, toys and more. Operations manager Bill Wyllie, who’s worked at Chester’s for 34 years, said they are still seeking input from customers to guide their future purchases. Variety store manager Grant Way has worked at the store for 11 years. He said that if people don’t see what they’re looking for that they should let him or one of the other staff members know. “We’re trying to meet the needs of the community and order things that they request, if available,” Way said. Wyllie said their top sell- ing products, so far, have been home and office sup- plies and crafts. Apparel is also in high demand because the com- munity is so far away from any clothing stores, he said. Shoppers will find everything from flannel shirts to Dick- ie’s jeans to Hane’s socks for the entire family. Clothing, home decor Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Operations Manager Bill Wyllie, owner Bob Cowan-Thompson and Variety Department Manager Grant Way visit Sept. 19 about the building addition to Chester’s Thriftway in John Day. Chester’s Thriftway staff member Jennifer Silva shows some items in the seasonal section of the variety department. The fabric section of the Chester’s variety department features an array of fabric, yarn, sewing notions and more. Chester’s Thriftway staff member Mark Olson enjoys stocking the model kits in the toy section. and University of Oregon and Oregon State University merchandise are within view when people walk down the ramp nearest the checkout stations in the grocery store. Shoppers access the vari- ety department through the grocery store. They also take their items to the grocery store section to check out. The fabric, sewing, craft and toy sections of the de- partment can be seen as shoppers walk down a second ramp, which is near the meat department. One lady traveled from Burns to purchase fabric, Wyllie said. The bolts in- clude cotton, fleece, sherpa, satin, lace, vinyl and more, and Heather Swank helps cut the needed amount at the counter in that section of the department. Variety department associ- ate Jennifer Silva said working in the crafting area of the store inspires her with project ideas. “We have a lot of kids crafts, adults’ crafts and a beautiful floral section ... paints and art supplies,” she said. She added crafters may en- joy making holiday wreaths, and they have all the supplies, including styrofoam forms. Other items in the store include a dollar aisle, kitchen and bath linens and small ap- pliances. One aisle is already set up with items for Christmas, with some Halloween and Thanks- giving selections on the next aisle over. When asked how he made the decision to open the vari- ety department, Bob said Kay was a main influence. “My wife felt it was needed,” he said. “Kay just kept pushing. It’s worked well.” After King’s Variety Store closed its doors in the John Day Plaza in the spring of 2017, the impact of that vacancy was felt, Wyllie said. “We wanted to stop that cascade effect” with people moving away, he said. Six to eight jobs were created with the opening of the depart- ment. “I was very excited that we decided to invest in it, because it’s investing in our community,” he said. The 23 Thirftway stores in Oregon are independently owned, Bob said. He said, while a couple have hard- ware stores, the John Day location is the first to have a variety store. The Cowan-Thompsons have owned Chester’s since 2001, and the store has been at it’s current location since 1972. Wyllie said their No. 1 motto for the store is offering friendly service and being community involved. “We try to get involved in the community and contrib- ute $30,000-40,000 back in the community, because it’s where we live,” he said. He said they also strive to make it the “best place to work.” “We pay every employee well over minimum wage,” he said, noting $12 per hour is their minimum pay rate. “We take really good care of our employees with health and dental,” he added. Wyllie, who is a retired National Guardsman, said he was grateful to the company for allowing him to stay em- ployed while serving in the military for 28 years. Dan Gourley, who’s worked at Chester’s for seven years, said he enjoys helping customers in the variety de- partment. “I’m learning something new every day,” he said. “I’m always asking people what they’d like to see in the store. It’s a work in progress — we’re working on that list.” Chester’s is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, closed for Thanksgiv- ing, Christmas and Easter. For more information call 541-575-1899. Outdoor adventure starts at Wildcat Basin Outfitters New store sells camping, hiking goods and more By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Wildcat Basin Outfitters is a new outdoor, athletic and camping equipment specialty store in John Day owned and operated by Kara Uhler. Located in the Madden Brothers Business and Educa- tion Center at 116 NW Bridge St., Suite 11, in John Day, the store is filled to the brim with a wide range of gear for outdoor activities, including hunting, camping, hiking, exercise and more. Uhler said her husband, Pete, has been helpful in her venture, and the community has been supportive since she opened in July. “Everyone who’s come in so far has loved it,” she said. She said her goal is to en- The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Wildcat Basin Outfitters owner Kara Uhler, right, visits with her work study student Oaklee Clark as customers browse the selections. courage fun, family-oriented healthy lifestyles and activi- ties. Uhler has lived in John Day for 22 years and has also spent 22 years in emergency medical services, including time as a paramedic, and is still active as a trainer. She was also a fire- fighter in the past. “With my background as a wildland firefighter and paramedic, I’ve always loved the outdoors, and with that background I have an idea of things needed here locally,” she said. “I’ve always felt our com- munity needed something geared toward this lifestyle,” Uhler said. “It all blends in with our interests.” Items for camping and hiking include not only back- packs, sleeping bags, pads and tents, but also hydration systems (such as Platypus), waterproof luggage bags, child carriers, paddle boards, hammocks, pillows and head- lamps. She said the items she brings in are built to last. “They are quality prod- ucts, rather than something you would have to replace in a year,” she said. Customers will also find specialty items such as the Jet Boil system to heat water for coffee or making a meal, wa- terproof VSSL flashlights that include a compass and first-aid kit, emergency food supplies, water purification systems and even lighters that work in windy conditions. Uhler carries the La Sport- iva brand for athletic needs, including running shoes, an assortment of Darn Tough socks, and exercise clothing. She said she’ll include Colum- bia brand clothing in the next few months and more brands next spring. In addition to the shop, Uhler also offers first-aid/ CPR classes for small groups, for the bystander or health care provider. Classes are held in an OSU Extension classroom, with four to five in each class “to make it one-on-one and per- sonable,” she said. Her next goal is to hold seminars led by expert pre- senters on hiking and hunt- ing. Oaklee Clark, who is a Grant Union senior, joins Uhler a few hours each week for her work study program. “I’m learning about inde- pendent business opportuni- ties and all the work you have to put into it,” Clark said. Uhler said there are no grants for new business own- ers, not until they’ve owned the business for three years and can prove they are finan- cially stable. “It’s all about a person tak- ing that risk in making that jump and just doing it, but being very responsible and choosy about what things you bring in and how you’re go- ing to spend that money,” she said. “Two and a half months in, it’s been wonderful.” Uhler has plans to expand the offerings next year and hopes to have kayaks for sale and locator beacons for rent. Currently, she’s poring over maps and visiting local trails to ensure correct direc- tions are given to inquiring customers and that paths are well maintained. “Come down and browse,” she said, adding they’re with- in walking distance of down- town. “If you’re having lunch or dinner, walk over and take a peek,” she said. “We’re a calm, ‘chillaxed’ environ- ment.” Wildcat Basin Outfitters is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call Uhler at 541-620-5780 or email her at contact@wild- catbasinoutfitters.com. The business website is wildcatba- sinoutfitters.com. NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 2018 Are you or someone you know the victim of physical or emotional abuse? Do you find yourself being abusive toward your partner? GET HELP TODAY AND COMMIT TO A BETTER LIFE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN. CALL NOW OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER FOR THE HELP YOU NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE. HEART OF GRANT COUNTY: 541-620-1342 GRANT COUNTY VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: 541-575-4026 For more information contact Grant County Veterans 541 620-8057 82157 This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-WR-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. The USDOJ and Grant County Victim Assistance Program are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, or age. 82165
