THE DALLES
INCLUDES DUFUR & TYGH VALLEY
Vote of Confidence
We want you to be our next satisfied customer!
By Patti Jo Brooks, Active Media
by Henry Schifter, Active Media
Affordable Floors and Abbey Carpet is excited to be nominated as the Best Floor Covering Shop in the Columbia River Gorge for the 2nd straight year. This special honor is voted by the community, and Affordable Floors takes great pride in the recognition by its patrons. The Best of the Gorge contest, presented by Biocoastal Media Radio, highlights the best local businesses and services within the Columbia River Gorge region as valued by the community.
When they aren’t being nominated for awards, Affordable Floors has been doing business in the area for 32 years. Offering the best possible prices, on-site design professionals, complimentary in-home consultation, and free estimates, as well as professional installation, we have it all covered and there is no reason to shop anywhere else. Stop by and visit our new showroom where we offer our customers the best and largest selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate, L.V.T., and ceramic tile in the gorge!
Visit Affordable Floors Abbey Carpet Showroom at 1512 Osprey Dr., Unit B in Hood River. Give them a call at (541) 386-7799 or email floors@gorge.net. For additional information or to use the room visualizer, visit their website at hoodriver.buyabbey.com.
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COLUMBIA Stowaway
Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm
Closed For Lunch 12pm - 1pm Saturday 8am - 12pm
Closed Sunday After Hours Appointments Welcome
• Moving Supplies (Boxes, Bubble Wrap & Tape)
• UHAUL Truck & Trailer Rentals
• Manager On Premises
• No Cleaning Or Security Deposit
• Full Refund Of Unused Rent
• Helpful Moving & Storage Consultants
• Locally Owned & Operated
Wine, Wood, and Wonder
The art of Leoni Montenegro
something that Leoni finds impossible to replicate. The experience of opening a barrel evokes memories of vineyards, the sun and the rain, the fruits and the work that goes into making the wine — which all create a connection between his work and the natural world.
Since turning his passion into a full-time business in 2011, Leoni has built strong relationships with local wineries, where he even creates custom pieces to promote their brands. His work is featured at Art on Oak Gallery and at ACE Hardware Store in Hood River, where visitors can admire and purchase his craftsmanship. He also operates a workshop where people are invited to enjoy coffee or wine while seeing his work in progress.
By Kelly Romo, Active Media
Leoni Montenegro is a talented wood crafter and designer who discovered his passion for woodworking at a young age. As a child in Guatemala City, he often visited a local carpenter and marveled at the transformation of raw wood into beautiful pieces. Though too young to participate directly, those early experiences left a lasting impression on him and sparked a lifelong connection to craftsmanship, which led him toward a degree in drawing and construction.
After moving to the United States, Leoni eventually returned to his passion for woodworking by creating small pieces like nightstands and coffee tables. His journey took a pivotal turn when a customer asked him to make a chair from a wine barrel for her wedding. When he opened the barrel, he was struck by the curve of the wood, the deep color and the rich aroma within. That moment became the foundation for his art and led him to repurpose wine barrels into unique furniture and art pieces.
Leoni works primarily with French wine barrels. When barrels develop leaks or can no longer be used for wine, wineries sell them. The beauty of these barrels lies not only in the wood’s grain but also in the colors created by wine soaking into the wood. The wine stains the wood and creates a natural signature,
Looking ahead, Leoni envisions expanding his unique artistry to the East Coast, where demand for his wine-barrel creations has steadily grown. With many visitors from across the U.S. discovering his work in Hood River, Leoni sees an exciting opportunity to connect with new audiences who value sustainable art and handcrafted furniture.
For Leoni, this growth isn’t just about business — it’s about honoring the journey that brought him to this point. His customers’ enthusiasm and encouragement fuel his creativity and deepen his gratitude for those who see beauty in his work. Leoni credits his success to God’s blessings and feels that each step has been guided by faith and the support of family, friends and patrons.
Leoni invites everyone to visit his website at www. leonimontenegro.com for a closer look at his collection or stop by his woodshop at 2795 Cascade Ave. in Hood River for an up-close experience. He is also featured at Art on Oak Gallery and ACE Hardware Store in Hood River.
Tues - Sat: 10am to 5pm Sun: 10am to 3pm
2795 Cascade Ave. Hood River
