Business & Development, Cottage Grove

Downtown Cottage Grove welcomes 3 new businesses 

COTTAGE GROVE – Main Street in Cottage Grove hasn’t been hopping like this for a long, long time. 

On Saturday, between 11 a.m. and noon, three new businesses – all within about 1½ blocks of each other – held their grand openings. And they turned out to be even grander than anybody anticipated. 

Eager gamers wait for the doors to open at Quarter Drop in Cottage Grove. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS

“It was a greater turnout than I could have ever imagined,” proprietor Bashi Ale said after the opening of his Quarter Drop Arcade at 537 Main St. “There was a line a whole block down the road on a cold, frigid day when I opened up the doors at 11 a.m. It’s heartwarming to see people really enjoying these machines.”


Bashi Ale of Quarter Drop Arcade.

The arcade features 44 machines, many dating back to the ’80s and ’90s. 

“We have some newer machines,” Ale said, “but it’s an old-school retro arcade.” 

The Quarter Drop has an Alien-themed back room and a Mario Bros.-themed bathroom, while the entire arcade features a space theme. 


‘A little bit of everything’

Likewise, the White Rabbit Vintage and Curiosities store at 517 E. Main St., formerly the Crafty Mercantile, has borrowed its name from Alice in Wonderland. Co-owners Erika Peterson, Terrisa West and Jeremy Evans say their shop offers something for everyone.

These oddities are available at White Rabbit Vintage and Curiosities. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
White Rabbit Vintage & Curiosities co-owners Erika Peterson, Terrisa West and Jeremy Evans.

“Erika and I had booths over at 5 Flying Monkeys that were very condensed, so we decided that we needed more space,” West said. “So we have a lot of artwork, furniture, and several vintage items.”

“We have a little bit of everything, whimsical type of stuff,” Evans added. 


As Saturday’s noontime hour approached, Cottage Groove bookstore owners Greg and Lisa Ingold broke out the oversized scissors for a riveting, confetti-filled ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Scenes from a colorful ribbon cutting for Cottage Groove Bookstore. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS

“This way exceeded my expectations,” Greg said. “I really thought maybe there would be waves of people coming in, but after about 40 minutes in, it was pure chaos.”

The Ingolds bought the bookstore at 637 E. Main St. – formerly known as Kalapuya Books – from Betsy Hartzell, who turned the store into quite the community staple, as people have gathered there for years for various events. Greg and Lisa want to keep that community spirit going and maybe even pump some fresh blood into it. 

They have two sons, Keefe, 22, and Max, almost 21. Keefe lives in Minneapolis and works for a nonprofit. Max will work full-time at the store, serving in various roles, including managing the kids’ department. 

Above, bookstore owners Greg and Lisa Ingold assist new customers after cutting the ribbon for their new bookstore, as former bookstore owner Betsy Hartzell, top right, stops by to support them in their new venture. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS

Max is a drummer/percussionist who enjoys playing with his father, a highly skilled guitarist with a masterful finger-picking style. They occasionally play together at the bookstore. 

Lisa has been a dermatologist for 28 years. In May, she moved her family to Cottage Grove, leaving her practice in the Eugene/Springfield area. She now works three days a week at PeaceHealth Urgent Care. 

As business owners, the Ingolds like what they see in Cottage Grove.

“I like the way they’re investing in downtown and renovating, trying to get businesses occupied,” Greg said.

“It’s kind of like Springfield – it’s a beautiful little downtown area,” Lisa chimed in. “And the Saturday Market is so cute.”

What’s different about Cottage Groove?

“We’re trying to diversify the inventory, not just books, but the musical inventory,” Greg said. 

“We hope to have strings, picks, things like that. Music accessories have been in demand, especially since the Crafty Mercantile closed. They were the only place in town to get guitar strings. We have a vinyl collection, and I’ve applied to be a wholesaler for D’Addario strings.

“New vinyl is still expensive, but there’s a resurgence of vinyl – making it more appealing to the younger crowd – we want the 20-year-olds – Kalapuya was great, but it did appeal to a bit of an older crowd.” 


Bread Club is back

Lisa said Bread Club is back by popular demand, but it will be monthly now instead of weekly. 

“Bread Club will be the first Thursday of every month – the coordinator wants it that way,” Lisa said. “We have an amazing baker from White Willow Farm in Junction City bringing 24 loaves of sourdough bread to the first Bread Club. 

“I also want to host a book club, and I’d like to do a pajama club for the kids.”

***

Ale said he was playing “Godzilla” in his garage a couple of years ago when the realization struck him. “I’m at a place in my life where I can do this, and this town needs entertainment, so you know what, go for it. And here I am two years later.”

Ale owned a publishing company and worked as a creative director, publishing magazines, newspapers, and other publications. However, he always felt a sense of devotion to arcades.

“I had a passion as a kid in the 80s when arcade culture was always a part of our lives,” said Ale, a 14-year Cottage Grove resident. “A real strong passion. Then, as an adult, I had machines in my garage.” 

Tim and Lisa Eide were first in line, arriving at the arcade at about 9:45 a.m. for the grand opening at 11 a.m. 

‘I grew up in Portland going to arcades all the time,” said Tim, adding that Japanese Pac-Man is his favorite game. “They’re also giving out limited-edition iron-on patches to the first 200 customers, so we didn’t want to miss out on that.” 

Finding an open machine at the Quarter Drop was difficult, as customers steadily walked in and out. 

Down the block, at the White Rabbit, which will be open every day from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., a steady stream of people ventured into the “rabbit hole.” 

“It’s been a fantastic opening,” West said. “We think it’s pretty classy.” 

From the looks of things, they’re not likely to get any arguments. 

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