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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2017)
A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM Downtown business stretches west Woman works to expand downtown to SW Third Street By JADE McDOWELL STAFF WRITER When Hermiston resi- dents talk about the need to revitalize downtown, Cyndie Traner is working to expand their defi nition of “down- town.” The word tends to bring to mind a few blocks of Main Street that are home to such longtime staples as Hermis- ton Drug. But Traner owns C and R Mercantile, one of a growing number of busi- nesses fi nding a home on the other side of the tracks. “You don’t necessarily have to be on 395 and Main Street,” she said. The Quonset hut where Traner sells vintage cloth- ing, kitchenware and other items sits along a two-block portion of Southwest Third Street that recently became home to gourmet salad shop Veg Out and boutique Cre- ations with Santana. The neighborhood — located be- hind Bi-Mart — is also home to a salon, accountant, attor- ney, translation service and a taco truck, with a Mexican bakery around the corner. Where the street inter- sects with Hermiston Avenue sits Julissa’s Meat Market, which is just down the street from Feelingstone Gifts, a block from the Maxwell Siding Event Center — all of which opened their doors within the last six months. Traner recently purchased the re-purposed house that holds Veg Out and Creations with Santana, and said there is still a room available in the building to lease for offi ce space. Traner said she envi- sions the whole building as a place where entrepreneurs can get their start and build up a clientele before risking a lease on a larger, more vis- ible space. “I feel really sad when I STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Julissa’s Meat Market is a recent addition to the West Third Street business boom in Hermiston. STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Veg Out co-owner Jaclyn Crowder cuts lettuce during the lunch rush Wednesday at her restaurant in Hermiston. see other small businesses close their doors,” she said. “I just think, what does that say to our young people who want to be entrepreneurs? Dream your dream, but not in Hermiston?” Santana Layton, who opened Creations with San- tana on Third Street just weeks ago, said she has wanted to open her own store for years but startup money was always an issue. After she decided to start going after her goal in ear- nest she saw a post on Face- book by Traner advertising the space next to Veg Out and responded. “It’s hard to fi nd some- thing affordable when you’re starting out and don’t really have money,” she said. Her boutique sells make- up, skincare products and clothing for women. Al- though her offi cial hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., she’s a single mother of three work- ing two jobs, so she said it’s always a good idea to check the Creations with Santana Facebook page before com- ing in for unscheduled clo- sures. Layton said she hopes that people will start realiz- ing that the neighborhood around Bi-Mart is a good place to get out and do some shopping. “I like the location,” she said. “I wish there was more traffi c, obviously, and I’m hoping people will fi nd out about the area, because it is growing.” Traner is doing her part to help the area grow. She has taken it upon herself to help market the commercially zoned house next to the mer- cantile and an old bank build- ing on Third Street, both of which are up for sale. She said she hopes both spaces are used for something like a bistro, wedding supply store or bakery. “Growth is good, but you still want to hold onto those small-town, mom-and-pop businesses with that small- town customer service,” she said. Traner plans to start a side business called History Re- claimed using another space on Third Street to store an- tique doors, light fi xtures and other items that local con- tractors have removed from homes during remodels but would be of interest to others going for a more vintage feel. Revitalizing downtown has been a top goal of the city for years. now. The city did include parts of Hermis- ton Avenue and Third Street west of the tracks when it drew the boundaries for the urban renewal district four years ago. Some of the district’s planned projects, like a fes- tival street next to City Hall, focus on the east side of Highway 395, but assistant city manager Mark Morgan pointed out that several of the district’s facade grants have gone west of the tracks, including grants for the Hol- iday Inn Express, Julissa’s Meat Market and attorney John Ballard’s offi ce on Third Street. The city also provid- ed developer Mitch Meyers with a $10,000 grant out of its community enhancement fund for the landscaping and parking improvements next to the Maxwell Siding Event Center, and Morgan said the city would like to continue collaborating with develop- ers on projects in that area. Brother, sister open gourmet salad shop By JADE McDOWELL STAFF WRITER A Hermiston woman has turned a healthy habit into a much-anticipated business venture with the opening of a gourmet salad shop. Jaclyn Crowder opened Veg Out with her brother Ben Millard this week, and the small salad shop at 319 W. Locust Avenue already has 75 reviews on its Face- book page, all but one of them for fi ve stars. “It’s been awesome,” Crowder said. “We’ve been kind of overwhelmed.” Positive comments on Facebook were what spurred the business ven- ture in the fi rst place. Crowder said after the birth of her kids she struggled with her weight, especially since being a stay-at-home mom meant she had ac- cess to food all day long. To combat the problem she started experimenting with creating different types of salads, and found she en- joyed them more if she made them “pretty” too. It was only natural, in this day and age, that she then share her handiwork on social WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 BUSINESS STAFF PHOTO BY JADE McDOWELL Ben Millard, left, and Jaclyn Crowder opened Veg Out this week at at 319 W. Locust Avenue, Hermiston. media before eating it. “I started posting on Facebook for friends to see and they started asking me to make them for them,” she said. Originally Crowder just wanted to sell the color- ful salads from home, but soon realized the law re- quired her to make them in a commercial kitchen. She posted on a public Face- book forum asking if any- one would be interested in a salad shop and hundreds of enthusiastic comments poured in. She asked her brother if he wanted to join in on the venture and he agreed. “We felt we owed it to Hermiston,” he said. “That response (on Facebook) is what’s kept us going.” The small shop, locat- ed just behind Bi-Mart, is takeout and delivery only, although the business’s Facebook page points out it is only half a block from McKenzie Park’s picnic shelter. Millard said from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. business slows down, but if the fi rst few days are an indication, when someone wants to pick up a salad during the lunch or dinner rush they should call ahead by at least an hour if they don’t want a long wait to pick up their order. Delivery of orders of at least three salads is avail- able for a $3 charge. Veg Out’s menu cur- rently features fi ve salads, ranging from the $7 classic chicken caesar salad to the $13 steak taco salad with cilantro lime dressing. Bra- zilian cheese bread, a fruit bowl and bottled beverages are also available. Millard said since the kitchen is so small, the menu will likely always be limited to fi ve or six sal- ads, but the selection will change depending on what fruits and vegetables are in season. He said to start out the business is getting its ingredients from one ven- dor, but that will probably change. “We’ve checked out some local lettuce places, and we might start getting some of our berries local,” he said. “We might try to source some more local produce, as much as we can.” Christina Martinez, who ordered the berry nutty sal- ad recently, said they had just moved into town a few weeks ago and found Veg Out on Yelp. “We’re excited to try it,” she said. “Our salads look amazing.” Veg Out is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. ——— Contact Jade McDow- ell at jmcdowell@eastore- gonian.com or 541-564- 4536. “Our Roots Run Deep in Morrow County” August 16-19, 2017 FAIR: www.co.morrow.or.us/fair Thank you Morrow County for a Great 2017 Fair! A special thank you to all of our sponsors & volunteers who put in countless hours to help put on a great fair for all! www.facebook.com/oregontrailprorodeo • www.facebook.com/morrowcountyfairheppneroregon BRIEFCASE Library district hires new director Erin McCusker was re- cently hired as the new direc- tor of the Umatilla County Special Library District. McCusker has extensive experience in a variety of li- brary service fi elds. Starting her library career in 1992, she spent 11 years in the Boi- se Basin Library District, the last six as director. She then became the library consul- tant for the Idaho Commis- sion for Libraries in Boise. After moving to Flagstaff, Arizona, when her husband was transferred with the U.S. Forest Service, she worked at the Flagstaff City–Coconi- no County Public Library as an adult and youth services librarian for a year before be- coming a branch supervisor. The library district board views McCusker’s back- ground as an asset in work- ing collaboratively with the independent libraries in the district. Working in Pend- leton for a private fi rm in records management for the past three years, McCusker is excited to return working with the public in library ser- vices. Formed in 1986, the li- brary district supports public libraries in Umatilla County in providing services, pro- grams and educational op- portunities. For more infor- mation, visit www.ucsld.org. Conference highlights workplace safety A two-day conference focuses on safe and healthy workplaces, including a key- note address by an electrician who survived being electro- cuted by a 12,500-volt, 200- amp overhead power line. Gary Norland’s opening keynote speech, “The Im- pact of an Injury: What are You Risking?,” is Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 11:30 a.m. The conference is Sept. 19-20 at Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend. Registration is $145 or one day for $100. For more information or to register, visit https://safetyseries. cvent.com/central17. For questions, call 503-947- 7411. WORSHIP COMMUNITY 1255 Hwy. 395 S. • 567-5834 oasisvineyard.us Worship 10:00 AM “come as you are” Seventh-day Adventist Church Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 567-8241 855 W. Highland • Hermiston St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. Scripture, Tradition and Reason Family service 9am Sunday N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston t. PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. The Full Gospel Home Church 235 SW 3rd Phone 567-7678 Rev. Ed Baker - Rev. Nina Baker Sunday: Sunday School........10:00 am Worship...................11:00 am Evening Service........7:00 pm Wednesday Service..7:00 pm “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7 LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 Pastor David Dever Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm www.hermistonlmbc.com Echo Grace Baptist Church 21 N. Bonanza Street, Echo OR 555 SW 11th, Hermiston 567-9497 Community Church Phone: (541) 376-8108 Sunday School • 9:30am Worship • 10:45am Children’s Church • 11:15am Potluck & Communion ~ First Sunday of the Month Nursery provided for all services Sunday School - 9:30 AM Worship - 10:45 AM 6:00 PM Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM “Proclaiming God’s word, growing in God’s grace” Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church First Christian Church 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday ...............................English 7:00 am Thursday...............Spanish 6:00 pm SATURDAY:.........English 5:00 pm ...............................Spanish 7:00 pm SUNDAY:..............English 9:00 am ..........................Bilingual 11:00 am ..............................Spanish 1:00 pm Office..............................567-5812 NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Pastor J.C. Barnett Children’s Church & Nursery Available 700 West Orchard Avenue P.O. Box 933 Hermiston, Oregon 541-567-8441 1520 W ORCHARD AVE Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am Classes for Kids @ 9:15 am SEEKING JESUS, SHARING LIFE, SERVING PEOPLE www.hermistonnazarene.org “Proclaiming the Message of Hope, Living the Gospel of Love” Coffee and Mingle Time 9:15 am Worship Gathering 10:00 am Children’s Church 10:00 am 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston First United Methodist Church Hermiston 191 E. Gladys Ave , Hermiston OR Sunday Worship 11am • 541-567-3002 Nursery available Check us out on Face Book Worship Livestream at herfumc.com Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor To share your worship times call 541-278-2678
