For many people, when they see a crisis, they only see the negative. There are a few people who can see beyond the immediate problem and instead envision opportunity. That is true for Shane Navarro, owner of Oregon Metal Roofing and Gutters LLC of Cottage Grove. “I started working in[Read More…]
Business
Uptown Fungus takes root in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Gared Hansen is a fan of exploring uncharted territory. “It’s very rare in our lifetimes that a person has the opportunity to get in at the beginning of a new industry that’s not using circuit boards or quantum computers,” he said. “And I believe in medicine and in[Read More…]
Right on time: Celeste Watches celebrates 6 years on Main Street
SPRINGFIELD — Even as a kid, Celeste Wong had a thing for watches. “The whole process of watchmaking is a vehicle for me to express myself, honor and develop my talents and gifts,” she said. Among those talents and gifts? Owning and operating Celeste Watches, a small brick and mortar[Read More…]
Beyond pay and benefits; Experts: How to keep, attract employees in tight labor market
The timeless game of picking a petal off of a flower and chanting, “she loves me, she loves me not,” has been replaced in many circles by instead reciting, “recession, recession not.” Experts and regular folks agree that we are no closer to predicting if and when we will head[Read More…]
Coming full circle at Round Table: Lani Moku to open in Thurston
SPRINGFIELD – When Lani Moku Grill owners Brittany and Lacy Hunt first met at Round Table in Thurston, they couldn’t have known this building would come to mean so much. In 2006, Lacy was working as a supervisor at Round Table. Not long after, Brittany started working at Round Table,[Read More…]
Mongolian grill meets ’50s diner aesthetic in iconic downtown Springfield building
SPRINGFIELD — When Jesus Santana Soto began working at Lee’s Mongolian Grill five years ago, he’d have never guessed that he’d one day own the place. “I get emotional just thinking about it,” he said. “When the chance came up to buy this place, we knew it was right for[Read More…]
A ‘spark’ of inspiration
Hands-on opps for youth coming to Booth-Kelly SPRINGFIELD — “Sparks” will soon be flying at the Booth-Kelly Center in Springfield — ones that will intersect community, education, and business for the county’s young and underserved population. This spring, Connected Lane County, an organization which creates educational and occupational opportunities for[Read More…]
Chronicle awarded ‘Business of the Year’
Springfield Chamber honors business leaders, pillars of the community at annual banquet SPRINGFIELD – Springfield honored its own last week at a prestigious event, one that included The Chronicle earning “2022 Business of the Year” and former congressman Peter DeFazio earning “Distinguished Citizen of the Year.” The Springfield Chamber’s 73rd[Read More…]
New market owners to add to downtown vitality
SPRINGFIELD — When Amy Robinson and her partner Josh Dellinger purchased the Main Street Market a few months back, they weren’t entirely sure what they were getting into. “Just a few years ago, we were living in Montana and I was working in public land conservation, and we had a[Read More…]
Main Street Sweets: Made with love
SPRINGFIELD — A sweet smell was in the air last month as the Springfield Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed its latest addition to downtown Springfield: Main Street Sweets, a family owned and operated business. The dessert shop was packed with both people and merriment during its ribbon cutting ceremony. Appetites[Read More…]