An Interview with
Mike and Tom Fitzpatrick Owners of Orchard Lanes and Strike & Spare Bar and Grill ~ PAGE 8
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE LEWISTON TRIBUNE яБо NOVEMBER 15, 2010
small talk
CALENDAR Nov. 17 — Orofino Chamber of Commerce, noon, Ponderosa, (208) 476-4335. Nov. 18 — Lewiston Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18 — Port of Whitman County, 10 a.m., (509) 3973791.
Businesses still plan downsized holiday parties
Dec. 14 — Grangeville GEM Team, 7 a.m., Oscar’s, (208) 983-0460.
NEW YORK — After two frugal holiday seasons, many small business owners are planning, well, another frugal holiday season. Many companies are still reluctant to spend a lot of money on a big, fancy party or dinner for staffers. Tasty Catering, a company based in suburban Chicago, is seeing more caution among its clients this year. Budgets are smaller. Companies that held parties in restaurants have moved them onto their premises. And some have decided to forgo parties altogether. Even companies that don’t need to cut back are rethinking big, splashy affairs. CerconeBrownCompany, a Boston-based public relations firm, will hold its party at its new office. Last year, the company had dinner for its staff at a restaurant. In 2008, it took employees by a party bus to a Patriots football game. Len Cercone, a partner in the company, said money was a factor in the decision to stay onsite. The company has done well the past few years, but because the economy is still uncertain, “we need to be smart with money.” Moreover, Cercone said, “spending money when other people may not be doing well, it doesn’t seem right to do it.”
Dec. 15 — Lewis-Clark Association of Realtors, 11:30 a.m., Elk’s Temple, (208) 7462019.
Party In The Office Or At Home, Save A Bundle
Dec. 16 — Lewiston Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 t0 7 p.m.
Having a party at your company’s office is a great way to save a lot of money.
Dec. 1 — Kamiah Chamber of Commerce, 7 p.m., chamber building, (208) 935-2290. Dec. 1 — Grangeville Chamber of Commerce, 1:30 p.m., Oscar’s, (208) 983-0460. Dec. 1 — Orofino Chamber of Commerce, noon, Ponderosa, (208) 476-4335. Dec. 2 — Port of Whitman County, 10 a.m., (509) 3973791. Dec. 3 — Lewiston Chamber of Commerce general membership, 7 a.m., Morgan’s Alley, (208) 743-3531. Dec. 8 — Clarkston Chamber of Commerce general membership, noon, Quality Inn, (509) 758-7712. Dec. 9 — Port of Clarkston, 1 p.m., (509) 758-5272. Dec. 9 — Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., Duman Mini Mall, (208) 962-3231. Dec. 14 — Port of Lewiston, 1:30 p.m., (208) 743-5531. Dec. 14 — Pullman Chamber of Commerce, noon, location TBA, (509) 334-3565.
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commentary
Joyce Rosenberg You’re not paying for using someone’s space. If you have it catered, the food is likely to be much cheaper than in a restaurant. But you might want to think twice about having waiters and/or a bartender. They’ll make it more expensive. If you make your party potluck, you can bring your costs down even further. But owners should be prepared to make a sizeable contribution, whether it’s supplying beverages or desserts. And the company should supply plates, cups, knives and forks etc. The beauty of a potluck affair is that it’s very warm and personal. The staff gets to surprise and impress each other with their culinary skills. It’s also easier to invite spouses, significant others and children, since everyone is sharing in the cost. Chris Goddard used to take her employees out to the Ritz Carlton in Boston for their holiday dinner. When the recession arrived, she moved the celebration to her home. She and her husband do most of the
Business Profile
cooking, but the staff and their guests bring the appetizers. This year, Goddard, president of CGPR in Marblehead, Mass., is spending a little more, serving champagne and upscaling her decorating. She’s figured out that “it’s the little things that impact the whole thing.”
You Can Still Save If You Go Out If you do opt to go to a restaurant, having lunch instead of dinner will be cheaper. So will a cocktail party or buffet meal rather than a sit-down dinner.
Some Other Tips l Book at the last minute. You may have to shop around to find a restaurant, but you’re likely to find several that have open dates and will be willing to discount their prices. l Or, book now. Some restaurants or clubs may be anxious about the holiday season, and will therefore give you a good price if you sign up early. l Limit your alcohol bill. Limiting the amount of time that you have an open bar, or only paying for wine and beer, will keep your costs down. You can also opt for a cash bar. In fact, many people prefer to go that route to keep staffers from drinking too much.
See ROSENBERG, Page 4 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
November 2010 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11
Business Profile is compiled by Target Publications of The Lewiston Tribune. Business Profile is inserted in The Lewiston Tribune the third Monday of every month.
Editors ROBERT JOHNSON bjohnson@lmtribune.com 848-2243 MARY TATKO mtatko@lmtribune.com 848-2244
Advertising Contact your Lewiston Tribune sales representative or call (208) 848-2292 for advertising information
16 lanes, no waiting
The Fitzpatrick family has been offering food and bowling to the valley since 1959 PAGE 8
Your comments Please write to us at: Business Profile Target Publications Lewiston Tribune 505 Capital St. Lewiston ID 83501 or e-mail us at: businessprofile@lmtribune.com
On the cover Mike and Tom Fitzpatrick of Orchard Lanes and Strike & Spare Bar and Grill By STEVE HNAKS of the Lewiston Tribune
Our favorite quote “Once you throw the ball, it’s the same.” — Tom Fitzpatrick (story Page 8)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
Regular departments
2 SMALL TALK: Holiday parties are probably going to be smaller this year 4 BUSINESS ON THE GO: Who’s doing what 5 BUSINESS ANSWERS: What’s the Fed up to? 6 WORKPLACE WELLNESS: Holiday season needn’t mean health slump 7 BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: Free lunch isn’t free 13 THE NEXT LEVEL: The importance of professional development 15 RECORDS: October by the numbers 15 ASK IDAHO LABOR: Is minimum wage going up? BUSINESS PROFILE
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business on the go Moscow vet center wins national accreditation
This could be you ...
MOSCOW — Palouse Animal Wellness & Surgery Center of Moscow has been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Only 15 percent of small animal veterinary practices in the United States have this accreditation, and only 12 of them are in Idaho. PAWS is the only one in Moscow. The designation came after an extensive evaluation
Read about professional accomplishments every month in ...
Business Profile
Moscow’s Best Western wins award MOSCOW – The Best Western University Inn in Moscow received The Best Western Chair Award for cleanliness and maintenance. Building design and customer service also figure into the judging. The award is the hotel
Meet The Award Winning Staff
ROSENBERG
rings Floor Cove ranchise nal F Internatio e Year! of th
From page 2 How To Add To The Fun Cercone’s company will shut down at noon on the day of the party, and the staff of 24 will start by decorating the office. Then they’ll hold a talent show that they’ll tape for Facebook. For the party itself, they’ll be joined by staffers’ families, including their children. So it won’t be
Butler, en, Vicky Dan Jens miah Wynott and Jere
by the AAHA including an on site quality assessment review of the hospital, its medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management. In order to maintain accredited status, PAWS must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association’s consultants. PAWS is owned by Jim and Katherine Miller.
ing r o o l F W E N as! m t s i r h C r fo
chain’s highest honor and recognizes hotels that score in the top 5 percent of the chain’s 2,400 properties in North America. The Best Western University Inn is owned by Hagadone Hospitality. a matter of just putting out food, and saying, here’s our party. Some companies have been forgoing parties in recent years and instead have picked a charitable organization and given staffers time off so they can volunteer. Others use the party time to give staffers a few extra hours off so they can do some shopping or attend their children’s school holiday events. Rosenberg covers small business issues for the Associated Press.
Everyone has a story. David Johnson proves it every Friday. In the Tribune.
2337 3rd Avenue, Lewiston • 208-743-7858
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Business Profile
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
BUSINESS ANSWERS
What’s the Federal Reserve’s strategy for the economy? Question: Should the Federal Reserve System really be engaging in additional quantitative easing? Answer: There has been much disagreement among economists about the Fed’s decision to continue with quantitative easing this fall. Some view this action as a necessary intervention by the Fed to help repair our fragile economy while others view it as a long-term headache that we will be paying for in years to come. Let’s first discuss some of the specifics of this measure and then detail the pros and cons related to the use of this tool by the Fed. We’ve heard that phrase a few times before, but what exactly does quantitative easing mean? Specifically, the policy of QE2 will require the Fed to purchase treasury bonds from banks, thereby creating a liability to the banks on its own balance sheet as it records an asset related to the new investment in bonds. At the same time, the respective banks will reduce their investment in treasury bonds to reflect the Fed’s purchase and record an increase in reserves (cash), thereby increasing the money supply. This action provides the banks with more cash to lend to customers, and based on the liquidity effect should
COMMENTARY
Michelle Sotka temporarily reduce the nominal interest rate. A short term reduction in interest rates may stimulate consumer and business spending, but then again maybe it won’t. The Fed is hoping for the former. Increased consumer and business spending would have an expansionary impact on the economy. But throughout the financial crisis, economists have been preaching about the need for Americans to be financially responsible. Maybe a lesson has been learned that includes “just saying no” to additional debt supported spending. Also, just because new money is circulating in the system does not guarantee potential borrowers will qualify to borrow it. Additional money supply without anyone to circulate
it does little to stimulate the economy. With so much uncertainty in the economy, it is difficult to be anything but uncertain as to how these spending decisions will play out. In the meantime, as the Fed increases its demand for treasury bonds, such demand will have an added impact of lowering bond interest rates as prices on bonds go up and the related yields go down. So, we must also consider the reaction of bond investors to lower rates. Reduced investment returns in treasury bonds will likely result in bond investors pulling out of such investments. Where they decide to go with their money is one more factor in this complex equation. It is possible they will retreat to emerging markets for attractive returns, taking with them some prospective growth within the United States. In any event, the potential upside of this scenario is that businesses and consumers will spend more as a result of the reduction in interest rates. With increases in sales, businesses may employ more people. Increased employment may result in more spending, and (ideally) the cycle repeats.
Look for the next issue of
Business Profile MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
BUSINESS PROFILE
The potential downside, however, is that regardless of the rates, consumers and businesses may choose not to spend. Increasing the money supply will likely weaken the dollar. With the weaker dollar the economy will likely experience greater inflation. And consumers will likely experience the global impact of the weaker dollar on imported products which will become more expensive. This scenario results in an extended period of low growth (or negative growth) for the economy. Skeptics say, “If the first round of QE in 2008 and 2009 did not have the desired effect, what would lead us to believe that this round will?” QE2 supporters believe the Fed is standing brave and strong as it uses all tools it has available. As with so many of the variables in the current economy, the results are hindered by uncertainty and the much related lack of business and consumer confidence. We can only hope this gamble of the Fed will payoff for the American economy. History will tell this story. Michelle Sotka is an associate professor in the business division at Lewis-Clark State College at the Couer d’Alene branch.
Monday, December 20 5
workplace wellness
How to avoid the holiday wellness slump Gobble, gobble. Jingle, jingle. The holiday season is nearly upon us. That likely means vacation time and celebrations with family and friends, but it can also spell trouble for your waistline. Eating well and sticking to a workout routine can feel all but impossible during the holiday season. But as with your other goals, planning is crucial. From Halloween straight through to Valentine’s Day, the season is packed with food-focused holidays and parties. It’s also a high-stress time as people rush to finish their shopping, deal with travel delays at the airport or even face their first holiday after the loss of a loved one. Joyful, stressful, emotional, busy — the seasonal roller coaster can wreak havoc on your body and your wellness routine. For many companies, this season is also a slow time
commentary
Justin Jones for their workplace wellness program. At Regence BlueShield of Idaho, we’ve planned a walking competition to keep employees engaged over the holidays. Some other successful strategies include: Holiday themes: Use the season to create fun wellness events at your company. Try a lunch-time Turkey Trot or 12 Days of Fitness.
Balance the junk food: Serve healthy options at holiday parties. Encourage employees to share healthy treats with co-workers (think light popcorn, low-fat pretzels, mini-sized candy canes, fresh or dried fruit). Healthy substitutions: Share ways to modify highfat holiday recipes in your company newsletter. For example, substitute applesauce for oil or butter in many baking recipes. Most of all, however, I think it’s important to support employees in their personal wellness efforts by sharing tips and ideas for surviving the holiday feasting season. Scheduled workouts: Schedule workouts into the busy season. If it’s not on the calendar, it won’t get done. Portion control: Watch portions during the holidays. It’s not usually what we eat but how much of it.
Snacking: Eat a healthy snack or small meal before going to the holiday event. Taking the edge off hunger helps with the portion control, plus you’re less likely to pounce on the trays and bowls of goodies. Don’t procrastinate: Don’t wait until the last minute, whether it’s getting your work done, finishing your holiday shopping or planning holiday events. Procrastinating leads to high stress levels and unhealthy choices. Be realistic: Make a goal of maintaining weight during the holiday months. On behalf of all of my colleagues at Regence BlueShield of Idaho, I wish you a happy, healthy and relaxing holiday season. Jones is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Regence BlueShield of Idaho. He can be reached at justin.jones@ regence.com.
Here are a few alternatives to cash holiday bonuses may wonder how to reward employees during the holiEmployees expect holiday days if funds are low. bonuses. But in this economy, If holiday bonuses are cash-strapped employers something a company does METRO
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every year, chances are employees count that bonus as part of their salaries. Terminating bonuses without advanced notice could leave many employees in the company coming up short in their personal budgets. Small-business owners may find it difficult to carve out cash bonuses, particularly if the business is struggling financially. Employers looking to avoid bonuses this year or offer alternatives to cash should notify workers of any changes well in advance of the season. Otherwise they may face upset or mutinous workers. Once employees understand that there will be
Business Profile
changes to bonuses this year, consider one of these alternatives. l Paid vacation time: Offer an extra week of paid vacation. It doesn’t require immediate cash out of pocket and still shows employees that you value their service. l Added perks around the office: Spruce up the office with ways employees can unwind. A computer equipped with some video games, a billiards table or a TV with a few recliners gives workers the ability to take a break now and then and enjoy themselves. l Spa services: Hire a mas-
See BONUSES, Page 7 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
There really is no free lunch meet your wallet. In fact, she is most likely a sweaty, balding, East European criminal. To give you a better idea of daily life at the BBB, I am a member of a four-person team that answers the phones. Here is a sample of the duties I performed in just one morning this week:
BONUSESES
during the holidays so they can schedule work around busy days. l Company retreat: Plan a big-ticket trip or event that the employees can attend at no cost to them. A day out at an amusement park or something to that effect may be more cost-efficient than cash bonuses. l Gift cards: Find out if a local retailer offers a group discount and give employees gift cards to that store. l Smaller monetary gift: For those who still want to give cash, make it a smaller gift than last year and explain to employees that you wanted to do something but simply cannot afford to match bonuses from years past. Chances are employees will still appreciate the gesture.
From page 6 sage therapist or chiropractor to come in and offer massages to employees. It will help them unwind and potentially be more productive. l Mail privileges: Enable employees to mail holiday cards and packages on the company’s dime, saving them a trip to the post office. l Children’s party: Throw a supervised party for the employee’s children, allowing the workers to go out and catch up on holiday shopping without worrying about the kids. l Offer flex time: Give employees the opportunity to work from home a few days MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
Other Calls
commentary
The Scam A senior in the Tri-Cities reported that after purchasing single-malt Scotch from Scotland, online, she received a $159 charge on her credit card from an auction company. When she called to complain, they rudely told her to cancel online at their website. The senior was unable to do so. She sought assistance from her credit card company and the BBB. The lesson here of course is
Holly Doering to always read your statements. The longer unauthorized charges sit waiting for you to discover them, the harder it will be to recover your money.
l Assisted a young woman to file a complaint against a store she says is displaying adult magazines where children can see them l Helped a teen file a complaint against an auto body shop he says fixed his truck improperly l Looked up companies for consumers online at www. bbb.org, including one called A Divorce By Phone, which has earned a D rating with the BBB l Directed a woman to the Department of Weights and Measures for a problem with a faulty fuel pump at a gas
See DOERING, Page 15
Let’s Go Bowling!
Business Profile
DID YOU KNOW? An average adult bowler burns 240 calories per hour and uses 134 muscles during the basic four-step approach.
JOIN A LEAGUE
TODAY! Orchard Lanes always has openings in USBC Sanctioned Leagues. Call today for current openings 208-743-7822. Youth leagues start Jan. 12.
Orchard Lanes
244 Thain Lewiston • 208-743-7822
287289KO-10
When I was a child, my Mom used to annoy me with aphorisms meant to teach me about daily living. “There is no free lunch,” was one of her favorites. I thought, “Come on, Mom!” I mean, I got a free lunch every day, not to mention dinner and breakfast. Sure, my parents had to work hard for that, but I didn’t! Now that I’m in my fourth decade of life, I finally understand what Mom was trying to tell me. And by answering phones at the Better Business Bureau, boy have I learned that “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.” There is no reason on Earth for random Nigerians to give you millions. You are probably not going to win the lottery — especially without buying a ticket. And that beautiful Moldavian hottie who wants to meet you is only looking to
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cover story
Owners of the perfect game Tom Fitzpatrick continues the family business at Orchards Lanes and the Strike & Spare Bar and Grill By Mary Tatko
Of Target Publications
Sitting in the bar between the bowling alley and restaurant at his family’s longtime business, Mike Fitzpatrick, 88, tucks into his morning meal — a plate of turkey necks he has saved from the discard pile. “It’s the best tasting part of the whole turkey,” he said. “I never get tired of ’em.” There’s no shortage of them, either, since the cooks at the Strike & Spare Bar and Grill prepare five or six turkeys every day for the restaurant’s signature jumbo turkey sandwiches. The Strike & Spare and adjacent Orchards Lanes bowling center have been in Fitzpatrick’s family for 50 years and today are owned by his six children and operated by his son Tom.
Let ’er Roll The bowling center was built first, in 1959, during the bowling boom of the late 50s and early 60s. The restaurant was added four years later. At one point, Tom said, there were 48 lanes in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Today, there are 32, 16 at Orchards Lanes and 16 more at Lancer Lanes, in Clarkston. Bowling always has been 8
Photo courtesy Tom Fitzpatrick
Tom Fitzpatrick and his siblings got the bowling bug early. a popular sport in the region, Mike said, recalling he used to buy the balls for all the bowling alleys in the area. While a few have disappeared, Craigmont, Kamiah, Grangeville, Pullman, Colfax and Orofino still have lanes today. “Central Idaho has a pretty good bowling community,” Tom said. In most parts of the country, he said, bowling alley
business is about 50 percent league play and 50 percent “open play,” people who drop in to play a game with friends or family. Even with fewer active leagues than in the past, league play accounts for about 65 percent of the business at Orchards Lanes, with an average of two leagues playing every day. Robust league play makes for a reliable source of in-
Business Profile
come and is a good way to attract new bowlers, Tom said. “The league bowlers are the key to the business.” Children as young as 4 years old can play in a peewee league with bumper lanes, lanes in which the gutters are blocked, allowing any roll strong enough to reach the pins to be successful. Kids
See PERFECT, Page 9 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
cover story
Tribune/Steve Hanks
Orchard Lanes and Strike & Spare’s famous turkey sandwich comes with fries, stuffing and an apple. Nearby Rosauers bakes the bread used in the valley favorite.
PERFECT From page 8
also play with one bumper lane and one standard lane, to ease into “real” bowling. “They’re actually developing some skills,” Tom said. “It’s fun to watch them.” A youth league includes older children, on up through high school when bowling can be played as a club sport. Many of the adult league regulars have been playing MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
for years, some for a lifetime. “I bet we have five people who’ve bowled every year since ’59,” Tom said.
Full Plate Among the many black and white photographs and newspaper clippings displayed on the wall at the Strike & Spare is one of Tom Fitzpatrick and his siblings as young children lined up in front of a ball-return machine. Tom started working at
his family’s business in 1979, and since then he’s been everything from janitor to cook to manager. Before franchise pizza restaurants became ubiquitous in the valley, the Strike & Spare specialized in pizza. “I still have scars from that pizza oven,” Tom said. As the valley grew and trends came and went, the business evolved. The area that’s now a restaurant was a game room at one time, and before that it was a beer garden for about
Business Profile
10 years. “You just kind of change with the times,” Tom said. No one remembers how enormous sandwiches, particularly turkey, became the restaurant’s hallmark, but Tom attributes the sandwiches’ year-round popularity to their freshness. The turkey is roasted every day in the Strike & Spare’s kitchen, and the bread, baked in coffee cans, comes from nearby Rosauers.
See PERFECT, Page 12 9
“Sightings on the Web” . ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE Guardian Angel Homes www.guardianangelhomes.com
ATVS - MOTORCYCLES Guy's Outdoor Equipment www.guysoutdoor.com
AUTO DEALERS Chipman Taylor Chevy Olds www.chipmantaylor.com James Toyota www.jamestoyota.com Vern Eide Motorcars www.verneide.com
BEAUTY SCHOOLS - SALON Headmasters School of Hair Design www.headmastersschoolhairdesign.com
BOOKS ...and BOOKS, too! http://andbookstooonline.com/
BUSINESS SERVICES
DENTISTS (CONT.)
Valley Vision, Inc. www.lewis-clarkvalley.com
James E. Pierce, D.D.S. www.LewistonDentist.com
CAMERAS - PHOTOGRAPHY
Dr. David Wilkinson, DDS, MS www.wilkinsonortho.com
Wasem's Drug www.wasems.com
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
CAMPERS - RVS
Banner Bank www.banrbank.com
Krueger's RV www.Kruegers-rvs.com Travelland R.V. & Canopy www.travelland-rv.com
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT Su Brown & Associates, PLLC www.subrown.com
CHAMBER
OF
COMMERCE
Lewiston, ID Chamber of Commerce www.lewistonchamber.org
CHURCHES Abundant Life Church www.abundantlc.org Warner Avenue Alliance Church www.warneralliance.com
CREDIT UNIONS
FLOORING Floor Coverings™ International lewiston.oorcoveringsinternational.com
FUNERAL HOMES Mt. View Funeral Home www.MtViewFuneralHome.com Merchant Funeral Home www.MerchantFuneralHome.com
FURNITURE Sylvan Furniture www.sylvanfurniture.net
GRAIN DEALERS Almota Elevator http://users.colfax.com/almota
HARDWARE Erb Hardware www.aceretailer.com/erbslewiston
Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union www.p1fcu.org
HOSPITALS
DENTISTS
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center www.SJRMC.org
Dentistry "4" Children, LLP www.wigginsd4c.com John J. Johnson D.D.S., P.C. Making Valley Smiles Brighter since 1997 www.yourvalleysmile.com
INTERNET SERVICES Cable One.net www.cableone.net
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
Website Directory of Area Businesses and Organizations LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Lewiston Library www.lewistonlibraryfoundation.org
NEWSPAPERS
Lewiston Tribune www.lmtribune.com Moscow Pullman Daily News www.dnews.com
PORTS
Port of Clarkston www.portofclarkston.com
Re/Max River Cities www.HomesAtRiverCities.com Rock-n-Roll Realty www.Rock-n-RollRealty.com Century 21 Price Right www.21priceright.com Results Realty www.ResultsRealty.net Windermere www.WindermereAllstar.com
RECREATION CENTER
Port of Lewiston www.portoewiston.com
Orchard Lanes www.orchardlanesbowling.com
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
REHABILITATION SERVICES
Lewiston City Library www.cityoewiston.org/library
REAL ESTATE - SERVICES Alliance Title & Escrow Corp. www.alliancetitle.com
Opportunities Unlimited www.oui.org
RVS
Lewiston RV Center www.lewistonrvcenter.com
Assist-2-Sell www.lewistonclarkstonhomes.com
SPAS
YB Tubless - 216 Thain Road www.ybtubless.com
TAX SERVICES
TaxMaster Income Tax www.itaxmaster.com
TELEVISION STATIONS KLEW News www.klewtv.com
TRAVEL - OREGON
Ocean Terrace Condominiums Lincoln City, Oregon www.oceanterrace.com
USED AUTOS
Clarkston Auto Sales, Inc. www.clarkstonautosales.com
WINDOWS
Windows, Doors & More www.wdmsstore.com
Cindy Perttu www.CindyPerttu.com Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Associates www.cbtvalley.com Joyce Keefer www.joyceKeefer.com Judy Higgins www.HigginsTeam.com Kathy Parsells www.KparSELLS.com
.
Realty Executives www.RE-TP.com Marilyn Wilson www.wilsonsell.com Parkview Real Estate www.parkviewrealestate.com
Call 208-848-2246 for Advertising Information
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
Business Profile
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cover story
PERFECT From page 9
Going smoke free in the restaurant and adjacent bar is a move Tom stands behind — tainting food with cigarette smoke doesn’t make sense, he said — but it’s “touch and go” whether it’s had a positive effect on business. Customers still can smoke in a separate game room, where there are dart boards and pool tables. But Tom acknowledges those who expect smoking to be part of an evening out at the bar with friends may well choose another watering hole where they aren’t so restricted. Ultimately, though, the bar and grill specializes in food, and people who choose not to smoke value being able to dine and socialize in a smokefree environment, he said.
Looking Forward Riding out the bad economy the past few years has given the Fitzpatricks renewed appreciation for their location. While the business began literally among orchards — “We’d be sitting under a tree right now,” Mike said — it is now, without having moved an inch, at the center of what has become a large part of Lewiston’s residential and business community, the Orchards. They are excited, Tom said, about new neighbors coming in across the street — a Les Schwab Tire Center and a boat-trailer manufacturing facility for Gateway Materials. More businesses, he said, always are better than empty buildings. The recession has had an impact on Orchards Lanes and the Strike & Spare, but while they haven’t seen re12
cord years lately, neither have they fallen on hard times. Providing a source of entertainment that’s close to home has been an advantage, Tom said. People might not splurge on expensive vacations, but many still enjoy bowling a game with friends or eating lunch out. While weekly leagues have been down, family bowling, corporate events and birthday parties have been up. And being a well-established business with a popular specialty — the jumbo sandwiches — helps too. “When you’ve been around for a long time, you have a lot of awareness,” he said. “I would hate to be starting a new restaurant now.” Some of the maintenance and improvements that come with owning a bowling alley and restaurant are backlogged for now, but Tom is looking forward to making improvements as the economy gets stronger. They’ve been lucky enough to manage the downturn with minor cutbacks instead of layoffs, he said. At a small business where employees are like extended family, that’s important. After some quick counting on fingers, Tom and Mike figured they have an employee who’s been there 37 years, five who’ve been there more than 25 years and about as many who’ve been there 15 or more, including the restaurant and lounge manager.
Age-old Pastime When school children come to Orchards Lanes for field trips, Tom likes to give a little quiz about the history of bowling. He asks if they know who the first bowler was, then tells them “Fred Flintstone!” Actually, Mike said, he re-
Tom Fitzpatrick Occupation: bowling alley, bar and grill owner Age: 56 Residence: Lewiston Family: wife, Virginia, 54, office manager and bookkeeper; son Luke, 22, resides in Coeur d’Alene Education: Lewiston High School graduate; attended University of Idaho for two years Professional: Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America member and past president
Fitzpatrick’s Inc., dba Orchards Lanes and Strike & Spare Bar and Grill Owners: Tom Fitzpatrick and family Location: 244 Thain Road, Lewiston Products/services: 16-lane bowling center with league, family and corporate bowling, birthday parties and tournaments, and pro shop; bar and grill with family restaurant Employees: 35 full and part time History: The bowling center was built in 1959 by Fitzpatrick’s father, Mike, 88, and a partner, Don Thompson, who he bought out after a couple of years. The lounge and restaurant were added in 1963 when a beer and wine license became available. The business acquired a liquor license in the early 1970s. Plans to build an athletic club on the premises never came to pass. Today, the complex, owned by Tom Fitzpatrick and his five siblings, houses Orchards Lanes and Strike & Spare Bar and Grill, operated by Tom and Mike Fitzpatrick, and Jeffery’s Restaurant and Catering, operated by Jeff and Kathy Grossman. cently read an article about how people have been playing games similar to bowling for thousands of years, so the Fred Flintstone joke might not be too far off. Early humans rolling round rocks toward makeshift pins couldn’t have envisioned cosmic bowling, with strobelights and loud music (Friday and Saturday nights), but it’s likely they would recognize the basics of the game played at Orchards
Business Profile
Lanes today. It has advanced with the times, with automatic scoring employing a camera system to record which and how many pins are knocked down, but for the average bowler, not much has changed. “Once you throw the ball, it’s the same,” Tom said.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
the next level
Professional development should always be a priority I recently had the opportunity to attend a terrific conference in Las Vegas. It was three intense days filled with industry-leading speakers, engaging breakout sessions and a ton of fantastic content. It was also a great reminder of the importance and value of making professional development a priority. Today it’s more important than ever for business owners, managers and employees to continue learning. To keep pace with the rapidly changing workplace and help organizations prosper and grow, we all need to stay on top of new developments in our respective fields. The pursuit of professional development opportunities not only demonstrates a commitment to our profession or business, it is vital to career advancement. There are many rewards for participating in professional development opportunities. Inspiration — Attending an event or conference or even just a great seminar can really break you out of a rut. Anytime we learn some-
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Rene’ JohnstonGingrich thing new it inspires us to shake things up, to make the changes or we need to make and take the actions we need to take. We return ready to dive into work with renewed vigor. Getting the Heck out of Dodge — It is crucial to get out of our immediate surroundings and see what is going on in the rest of the world. This can be hard to do. As business owners and managers, we have a hard time giving up being in immediate
control, even if it is just for a few days. It is essential to step outside our comfort zone and see and experience different approaches, strategies and perspectives. Staying Current in Your Industry — We owe it to ourselves and to our customers or clients to be at the top of our game. The only way to do this is to be sure we are staying current and informed regarding the latest and greatest in our industry. Whether it is information on using social media as a marketing tool or the hottest technology available in our industry, this knowledge will keep us from falling behind the curve. There is nothing worse than having a competitor bring something to your attention that you should already know. Networking — Many people report the single biggest value of attending a conference or seminar is the opportunity to network with colleagues. It is great to get out in your community and network, but we tend to underestimate the value of making connections with
people outside of our area. The advantage is not always immediately obvious, but we may connect with people in similar businesses who have experienced situations we can learn from, get or give useful advice or establish relationships with people that will lead to future business opportunities. With so many options available today, it is easy to find something that is tailored to your needs. From live conferences to televised seminars, there is something out there to fit every industry, time constraint and budget. It is an investment, but investing in ourselves and our employees through professional development has a remarkable return. Johnston-Gingrich has been a business owner in the Lewis-Clark Valley for more than 15 years. She works as an independent trainer and consultant and is an adjunct faculty member in the LewisClark State College business division. She may be contacted through her website at www.rjitac.com.
Employees, and employers, should know when to take a sick day METRO
In our volatile employment market, workers who have jobs are doing just about anything they can to keep them. For some, this can mean heading to work even when it may be best to stay home. Other employees fail to take MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
sick days because a day out of work means a day without pay. Although there certainly are employees who use sick days when they have a sniffle or a splinter, many other diligent workers maintain near-perfect attendance and choose going to work when
they should be resting at home. Going into the office when ill is not a smart idea. Not only does it put other workers at risk for catching germs, but also chances are the sick employee’s productivity will be poor and he or she may make mistakes that could cost the
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company money while under the fog of medication. Furthermore, working while sick will delay the body’s healing process, which could escalate the illness even further — leading to more sick days needed.
See SICK, Page 16 13
RECORDS: OCTOBER Newly licensed businesses
BARCHETTA CARROZZERIA — Dan Ellis, automotive repair, 149 Ninth St., Lewiston. BERRY BOY BLUE Fine Art Studio — David Berry,
art studio, instruction, 301 Main St., suite 103, Lewiston.
Makeup — Kelsie McCall, hair and nail salon, 930 Sixth St., Clarkston.
C&C SURFACES — Clinton Skeens, Cheryl M. Skeens, flooring contractor, wholesale-retail, 2014 Ridgeway Drive, Lewiston.
KIMBERLY HENSHAW — Kimberly Henshaw, child care, 1402 Bryden Ave., Lewiston.
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PATSY’S DOLLS — Patsy White, Arts and crafts, 908 Bryden Ave., Lewiston.
THAIN WILD GAME Processing — Stewart Turner, Mercedes E. Turner, wild game cold storage, 159 Thain Road., Lewiston. UNFAIR ADVANTAGE — Rachel Jordan, beauty salon, 450 Thain Road. suite A., Lewiston.
ASK IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Question: Is the minimum wage going up in January? Answer: The minimum wage in Idaho will not go up in January, but it will be going up in Washington state effective Jan. 1. The minimum wage in Washington will go up, 12 cents per hour to $8.67 per hour. This increase is based on an increase in the Consumer Price Index and on Washington state Initiative 688. Idaho minimum wage will continue to match the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. For more information please contact your nearest Idaho Department of Labor office or visit us on the web at www.labor. idaho.gov.
HOUSING MARKET UPDATE
INDIVIDUAL BANKRUPTCIES FOR OCTOBER 2010, BY COUNTY
LEWISTON, CLARKSTON AND ASOTIN 1. Number of homes on the market as of Nov. 11: 496. 2. Number of homes sold in the last six months (May 1 to Oct. 31): 328. 3. Average sales price of those homes sold in the last six months: $178,260. 4. Average days on the market in the last six months: 137.
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1. Number of homes on the market as of Oct. 31: 142. 2. Number of homes sold in the last six months (May 1 to Oct. 31): 127. 3. Average sales price of those homes sold in the last six months: $193,559. 4. Average days on the market in the last six months: 96. Source: Multiple Listing Service
Sponsored by: Steve Donovan (208) 413-0494
Complete and compelling. All the news you need. 14
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Tim Hortons to close 36 restaurants in East PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Tim Hortons chain of coffee shops has closed 36 moneylosing restaurants in New England and will shut down 18 kiosks in the region in the next few days, a company spokesman said Thursday. The Oakville, Ontario-
BUSINESS PROFILE
based company closed all its locations in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, shutting the stores down Wednesday, the day it released its third quarter earnings report. Tim Hortons is left with 567 locations in the U. S. It has 3,100 locations in Canada. AP MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
pachter on books
Two books examine workplace success By Richard Pachter Of The Miami Herald
Presumably, anyone can be a manager — or at least own the title. But being called a manager doesn’t make you one. The hotshot salesman “promoted” to sales manager needs different skills in the new role and may not have what it takes. In fact, the skills that made him or her a selling whiz may be especially unhelpful when it’s time to lead and develop people. Here are two new books that look at management and leadership from different angles. “Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best ... And Learn from the Worst” by Robert I. Sutton; Grand Central Publishing, 320 pages ($23.99) —— Sutton had an unexpected bestseller in 2007 with “The No A-hole Rule,” a straightfaced but hilarious look at office bullying, belligerence and other bad business behavior. This time, he takes a
DOERING
From page 7
station l Sent a caller to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office for a question about the law l Took a report from a man concerned that a major credit card company had sent him a letter saying that unless he responded within 30 days, he was agreeing to a $50 charge l Referred a gentleman to the Washington State DeMONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010
deeper and broader look beyond misbehaving managers in this smart sequel. In the introduction, he writes that with the surprising success of his previous book, he received an avalanche of e-mail from people who wanted and needed to share their own horror stories of substandard supervisors and nasty executives. He became the go-to guy on the subject, but had apparently just skimmed the surface, as his correspondents demanded he cover specific topics and subsets of the subject in his next book — which he hadn’t planned on writing but became increasingly inevitable. This volume has plenty of tales of bad bosses and the damages they wreaked upon their underlings but there are also nearly as many examples of positive people. Sutton provides steps to emulate the good (and more productive) behavior. Much of this, of course, involves common sense and good manners, but Sutton points out that many people take on personas and roles in the
workplace that are much different than the way they act in other situations, so perhaps this role-playing gets out of hand. Regardless, the boss is not only supposed to be a manager but also a leader. That involves setting standards and imbuing the organization with vales, expectations and that ephemeral thing called “culture.” Sutton is a fine writer, and he’s never cute or clever here. His plain language makes some of the more extreme stories of good and bad bosses that much more credible — even poignant. He’s consistently entertaining as he informs and teaches a bit, which is not out of character at all for the author, a Stanford professor. In addition to highlighting the deleterious effects of bad behavior on individuals, perhaps the best thing about this book is Sutton’s insistence that it’s not just a matter of individual rudeness (or worse); it’s also bad business. The least of it is bad manners, and the worst of it could be multimillion-dollar litigation.
partment of Labor & Industries to find out how many minutes he was entitled to for his break l Made calls to some of our BBB Accredited businesses — those who have signed a contract with us holding them to a higher standard. Updated their reports, making sure they are accurate l Read an article from the 1920 Harvard Review written by the CEO of the Boston BBB, about our origins. Learned the word “penumbra” — a region where the light source is obscured — in conjunction with the idea
that while some business practices may be legal, they are not ethical. This is the arena in which the BBB has been a major player for the past 98 years l E-mailed a woman whose business is being, she says, slandered on a customer review website l Answered mail from a gentleman wanting to know if a certain colon cleanser had been approved by the FDA Now multiply this by four. And that was a quiet morning. Remember, Start With Trust when considering a
Business Profile
“Clutch: Why Some People Excel under Pressure and Other Don’t” by Paul Sullivan; Portfolio, 256 pages ($25.95) —— New York Times columnist Sullivan looks at a bunch of case histories to determine why some people succeed while others fail, miserably and otherwise. He looks at actors, athletes, business people, soldiers, lawyers, psychiatrists and others, trying to find some thread among the more successful. Does he succeed? Yes and no. Though he draws conclusions and lessons from each case, the commonalities are collectively less obvious, not just for the winners but the losers too. Overconfidence, lack of preparation, lack of commitment and other qualities he identifies as pitfalls seem to be rather obvious shortcomings. Ditto with the things required to succeed. Regardless, his anecdotes, insights and observations are interesting and provocative. purchase by checking out companies and their business reviews at www.bbb. org. By investigating before you invest, you’ll stay a step ahead of the game. Because unless the provider is a family member or friend, there truly is no free lunch. Doering is a charity review director and business information advisor for the BBB serving eastern Washington, northern Idaho and Montana. She may be contacted at hdoering@spokane.bbb.org or (800) 248-2356. 15
CORPORATE GIVING American charities that donate the most METRO
Some charities are ineffectual and others have farreaching abilities. Individuals who are thinking about donating to a specific charity or getting involved with their cause may want to consider which ones are the largest by way of the donations offered. Here’s a list, courtesy of Forbes, of America’s 12 Largest Charities by Donations.
SICK
From page 13
Although every symptom does not warrant a sick day, here are some symptoms that could mean it’s time to take a day off. Stomach issues: Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of food poisoning or other bugs that wreak havoc on the gastrointestinal system. In general, these illnesses do not last longer than 12 to 24 hours. It’s much more convenient — and private — to do bathroom business in the comforts of home. Fever: A higher fever (temperature more than 101 F in adults) could be a signal of the flu or the body fighting another infection. It’s a wise idea to remain at home until the fever breaks. A 2006 fact sheet from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research reported that a worker with the
1. United Way 2. Goodwill Industries International 3. Salvation Army 4. Food For the Poor 5. Feed the Children 6. Brother’s Brother Foundation 7. AmeriCares Foundation 8. American Cancer Society 9. YMCA National Council of the U.S.A. 10. World Vision 11. Nature Conservancy 12. American National Red Cross flu is likely to infect 1.8 out of every 10 coworkers. Bad cold: The first few days of a runny nose and sneezing are often the most contagious. A person who is sneezing and blowing his nose repeatedly could end up infecting the entire office in the process. Stay home and rest up. Coworkers will appreciate it. Bacterial infection: Strep throat or conjunctivitis (pink eye) is caused by contagious bacteria. It can take 24 hours after the first dose of an antibiotic until a person is no longer considered contagious. Mobility injury: Workers who have sprained or hurt a part of the body resulting in an inability to do the job effectively may want to stay home until the injury is better. What’s more, working while injured could cause an even greater injury to occur. Be sure to report the injury to the proper personnel if it was the result of an accident at work.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010