SIUSLAW NEWS |BUSINESS QUARTERLY | OCTOBER 6, 2018
Business Quarterly Greater Florence Area
Fresh tastes
Siuslaw News’ Business Quarterly is a way to seasonally highlight local businesses and economic development updates. It will be published four times in 2019. To advertise, call 541-997-3441. To submit, email pressreleases@thesiuslawnews.com.
Three Rivers Casino Resort makes major changes to restaurants and resort
By Jared Anderson Siuslaw News
“W
e needed a change,” Three Rivers Casino Resort Director of Marketing Rich Colton said. “The buffet’s been open since 2007. We needed something new, fresh and different. We feel like this can service our guests, and much more of them, much quicker.”
Colton was walking through Three Rivers World Market Buffet in Florence, which will serve its last meal on Sunday, Oct. 7. After the traditional Sunday brunch is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the buffet area will be blocked off as work will begin on a new food court that will serve rapidly prepared, freshly made pizzas, roasted chicken, made-toorder burgers and other fare. The food court, which is scheduled to be open to the public on Monday, Oct. 22, will house two main eateries, The 101 Burger Bar and Mamma Mia!: A Taste of Italy in Florence. Three Rivers will be the first casino in Oregon to host a food court. “We’re modifying it, coming up with this courtyard feel,” Colton said about the food court’s design, which will include wrought iron signs, brick columns and photos of icons from across the Siuslaw Region. “That’s what we want to get across, this courtyard, food court kind of feel.” “Basically, we’re doing a food court to give our guests more options,” said Food and Beverage Operations Director Gary Gortz. “Our aim here is to get people to come and get fast, high quality food at really good value. Everything is fresh and fast.” And inexpensive, Colton noted. Nothing in the food court will cost over $10, different from the $17.99 pricepoint of the buffet. The demise of the buffet stemmed from a number of issues, most notably the cost. “Buffets are very expensive to operate,” Gortz said. “You have over 300 items in a buffet, and you want to make sure the first guest and the last guest get exactly the same thing. When the last guest comes in, and you have a full
(ABOVE) COURTESY IMAGE (RIGHT) JARED ANDERSON/SIUSLAW NEWS
This October, Three Rivers Casino Resort is bidding good bye to the World Market Buffet in Florence and hello to the new The 101 Burger Bar and Mamma Mia!: A Taste of Italy in Florence, which features a flame-fueled pizza oven (right). The new food court opens Oct. 22 with these restaurants and a salad and soup bar. buffet, what do you do with all the food that gets left over? It gets wasted. Economically, it was impossible to run the buffet.” Because of the made-to-order nature of the food court, Gortz hopes that food cost and waste will be cut drastically. Operational hours also limited the efficacy of the buffet. Larger casinos can afford to keep their buffets open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, which allows buffet managers the ability to keep a constant stock of ready-toeat meals, thus cutting down on food waste. However, the World Market Buffet did not have the customer base to sustain a 24-hour operation, open only from Wednesday through Sunday, with often limited hours. Because the food options are not relying solely on constantly ready-to-eat choices, the casino is able to expand the hours available for the food court. During the fall and winter months, the hours will be Sunday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. “But our plan is, as we go into the spring and the summer, to have it open 24/7,” Gortz said. Three Rivers hopes that people will be drawn to the food options at the 101 Burger Bar and Mamma Mia, which will focus on traditional Italian-American foods, such as calzones, lasagna,
spaghetti and raviolis. Of particular pride for Gortz was the $52,000 pizza oven that has been installed in the kitchen. “This stone oven runs about 1450 degrees on the top and 650 on the bottom,” he said. “We timed it out right now with the fresh made pizza dough at two-minute pizza times.” The flame-fueled oven, which Gortz stated is the first of its kind on the West Coast, requires only three rotations for a pizza to be fully cooked. Staff hope that the oven will create shorter wait times for customer orders. For the 101 Burger Bar, fresh hamburgers and crispy chicken sandwiches will be on the menu. “We have a state-of-the-art, $12,000 chicken roaster coming, that actually has recommendations from the American Health Association,” Gortz said. “There’s no grease on the chicken, at all. So, we’re going to have fantastic, fresh chicken that is cooked to order, with our own special breading that we developed.” The restaurant will also have quarter-pound burgers, using only local ingredients, along with chicken strips and homemade chili. The buffet’s salad bar will remain, serving a host of different greens and breads. “It will be completely full of options,” Gortz said. “You build your own salad,
then you pay for it by the pound. We have honey grain whole wheat, real healthy mini loaves of bread. We’ll have a soup kitchen over here, serving two kinds of soup. Tomato basil and vegetable beef barley soup. We’ve got some good options.” Already existing in the buffet area is the Coastal Roasters cafe, which serves grab-and-go sandwiches, the casino’s own coffee blend, pastries, cookies and breakfast items. “All of our coffee now is roasted especially for us. It’s going to be our own private label coffee,” Gortz said. “And that’s included in our rooms as well. So, we have gourmet sandwiches, croissants and our coffee. Other snacks and grab and go items, they can come on the bus, they can grab a snack. They go out to the gaming floor. All of this food here will be available on a slot site menu.” In addition to the food court, there is a planned renovation to Blue Bills Sports
Bar, the casino’s bar. This may change in the next year as the casino also plans to move the Ocean Dunes Golf Links clubhouse to the casino. “We feel it is very important to have the golf course more connect to the casino and hotel,” Colton said. “The clubhouse could possibly even be inside the [casino], leading out to the course itself. This way our guests staying here can walk right out from their rooms to the clubhouse and then on to the course. Parking would be enhanced so there is plenty space for current Ocean Dunes members and players that are just playing the course and may not staying in the hotel. We also have the room to put in a driving range, just need to move some sand around. In addition, put in a bigger practice area. The current clubhouse area does not have the space to allow for that.” See THREE RIVERS page 3
Paintings show ‘Earth & Nature Meanings’
T
he Gallery Above The Silver Lining Boutique is extremely honored to present Mike Morrow and his fantastical, detailed, multi-conceptual and larger-than-life canvases. All who see them will be stunned at the diversity, enamored by his variety of details, captured by his concepts and totally taken back by his enthusiasm and his abilities to convey the ebullience of life. On Saturday, Oct. 13, from 3 until 5 p.m. will be the champagne and hors d’oeurves artists reception for Morrow as part of the 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour. “I encourage you all to attend. This show should not be missed,” said Kimberly Fleenor, gallery owner. “Morrow’s colorful, enormous artwork will astound you.” Morrow’s artistic journey truly began from 1985 to 1989 while attending Cornell. He was feeling a heightened inspiration by his mentor Hugh Lifson, still a respected
decisions of his. They are man in art today, who encouraged Morrow to a product of Morrow’s sling paint quickly, let it combined creativity, suflow, then later see what perlative skillset and a the purpose of that pardesire to convey a conticular painting is later temporary message from on in the project. Morrow himself directly to the has studied this creative eyes of the beholder. collaboration between Morrow has worked on the paint and the subject and respects many difmatter while capturing a ferent styles of art, which cornucopia of composicould very well be why tions that will delight and you may not pinpoint inspire. His spontaneous only one style in all of his spirit lies within each and paintings. The one thing every painting. that is for sure, is they As years progressed, all have a meaning and so did Morrow’s style of it may take the individpainting. His art evolved ual looking upon them a from surrealism and, surwhile to comprehend his prisingly to him, into a intention. Oil painter Mike Morrow brings his multi-conceptual baroque style. Each vast canvas has a All of his paintings are and larger-than-life canvases to The Gallery Above multitude of facets from a story. One chapter of The Silver Lining Boutique in October. which the viewer can ashis life was about “Man’s Struggle,” “Earth and Nature Meanings.” These certain their own personal meanwhich has recently evolved into are not and were not preconceived ings.
“These paintings allow us into the world of a skilled and innovative artist, as well as a slight insight into the workings of Mike’s masterful mind,” Fleenor said. “Color and extreme creativity are two characteristics that would describe his work impeccably.” Painting has not always been the career direction in Morrow’s life, but he has always placed it at high priority and finds it to bring positive quality to his personal fulfillment. “We each will find our comfort space or our non-comfort space through these incredible oil paintings. Put your thinking caps on and be ready to use your mind’s eyes,” Fleenor said. “I personally invite all of you to attend, be inspired, and witness the world in a totally new light — and dark.” The Gallery Above The Silver Lining Boutique is at 2217 Highway 101 in Florence. For more information, call 541-997-2440.
“67.3% of Florence Area adults have read the local newspaper in the past 30 days.” ~ Pulse Research More than just a newspaper. There is no job too big or too small. We can come up with ideas and solutions to any of your marketing challenges. UPCOMING SPECIAL SECTIONS Oct.- Who’ Who in Business, Fall Auto Guide Nov.- Holiday Gift Guide Florence Green Movie
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Siuslaw News For more information or to be included in these special sections, contact us today! 541-997-3441 or advertising@thesiuslawnews.com
2 SIUSLAW NEWS | BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018
Nursing homes receive 2018 Quality Awards HealthInsight program recognizes excellence in clinical quality, resident care PORTLAND—HealthInsight is recognizing 17 Oregon nursing homes for demonstrating excellence in providing high-quality care for their residents. The HealthInsight Quality Award Program recognizes high-performing health care provider organizations in the states for which HealthInsight serves as the Medicare program’s Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QINQIO) contractor. To meet criteria for the Nursing Home Quality Award, an Oregon facility must rank in the top 25th percentile of all facilities in the state, based on 15 long-stay quality measures reported on Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website. The facility also must have at least a three-star rating on Nursing Home Compare and must currently be in good standing with its state survey agency. To view the entire list of quality measures and the certificate criteria, visit healthinsight.org/quality-awards.
Portland • Oregon City Health Care Center — Oregon City • Pilot Butte Rehabilitation Center — Bend • Pioneer Place Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation — Vale • Porthaven Healthcare Center — Portland • Portland Health & Rehabilitation Center — Portland • Prestige Care and Rehabilitation of Reedwood — Portland • Regency Florence — Florence • The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center — The Dalles • Timberview Care Center — Albany
“We are honored to recognize these outstanding facilities and the work they are doing to improve health care quality and person-centered care for Oregon nursing homes residents and their families,” said Kate Elliott, HealthInsight Oregon associate executive director. “Their commitment to quality of care reflects a dedication to The 2018 Oregon award recipients some of the state’s most vulnerable inare: dividuals.” • Avamere Rehabilitation of ClackaThe HealthInsight Quality Award mas — Gladstone Program was launched in Septem• Bend Transitional Care — Bend ber 2004 to promote transparency in • Cascade Terrace — Portland health care; 2018 is the inaugural year • Holladay Park Plaza — Portland for the awards in Oregon. • Marquis Autumn Hills — Portland As defined by the Institute of Medi• Marquis Mill Park — Portland cine, a transparent health care system • Marquis Newberg — Newberg is “accountable to the public, works • Mirabella at South Waterfront — openly, makes results known, and
builds trust through disclosure.” By using publicly available quality data to identify high-performing providers and publicizing the results, HealthInsight aims to help providers improve health care and help patients become more active and informed participants in their own care. Nursing home quality information is available by visiting medicare.gov and selecting Compare Nursing Homes in Your Area, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). HealthInsight is a regional health improvement collaborative that oversees affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations in Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah, and End Stage Renal Disease Networks across the western United States. HealthInsight holds contracts and grants in key areas of health care improvement, including leading quality improvement activities for the Medicare program as the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for the fourstate region. HealthInsight has experience assisting front-line providers and engaging health care stakeholders to improve health care and outcomes. Its programs focus on transparency and public reporting; effective use of health information technology; engaging patients and communities to improve their health; and redesigning how care is paid for and delivered.
Prepare for ‘Home for the Holidays’ Tour of Homes The Florence community will be hosting an exclusive holiday event that is sure to be one of this holiday season’s biggest treats: “Home for the Holidays: A Community Christmas Tour of Homes,” is scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 14 to 16, 2018. The Community Christmas Tour of Homes is an exclusive holiday experience filled with the sights, sounds and savors of Christmas as participants partake in a tour of four Florence homes magically decorated for the season. Each tour group will board a special
bus and be whisked away to four beautiful homes, each festooned in divine Christmas décor. While touring each home, people will savor a special beverage or treat, as well as unique entertainment to celebrate the season. Tickets will be available for $50 each and are available until they are sold out. One ticket will secure your spot in a tour group of your choice: Friday or Saturday night (Dec. 14 or 15) or Sunday afternoon (Dec. 16.). Spaces will be limited to
four tour groups per showing. All proceeds from this event will be generously donated to Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops (CROW), the local children’s performing arts organization, www. crowkids.com. Specifically, funds raised form this evening will benefit CROW’s spring production of the musical, “The Wiz.” Visit the event Facebook page or call 541-520-1255 for more information. Tickets can be purchased at www. crowkids.com/buy-tickets.
Peace Harbor welcomes new director of clinical services PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center is pleased to welcome Robin Allen, RN, MSN, as director of clinical services, overseeing all operations including emergency care, surgery, inpatient services, pharmacy and imaging. Allen received her bachelor and her master of science degrees in nursing from Regis University in Denver, Colo.
She spent 16 years at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital in Santa Rosa, Calif., where she served as the project planning director as the hospital transitioned to a new facility. She also held the role of clinical and support services administrator. Most recently, she was chief nurse executive, overseeing all aspects of nursing and inpatient care services.
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seum to check us out, and, if interested, fill out and submit the application, as elections will take place in December.” Candidates can also contact Applebee via email at cal97439@gmail.com or phone 541-999-4175. Oregon Coast Military Museum opened its doors on Kingwood Street in 2015 after a seven-year effort to become
General manager, owner of Windermere Real Estate/ Lane County turns 40 EUGENE—With three owners and over 50 years of experience, it’s amazing to think the average age of the ownership of Windermere Real Estate/Lane County is 39 years. Owned by Eugene residents, Matt and Tanya Powell and Elliott Wood, Windermere Real Estate/ Lane County operates offices in Eugene, Vida and Florence, Ore. Matt and Tanya purchased Windermere/Jean Tate Real Estate in April 2003. Before purchasing the company, both Matt (39) and Tanya (41) worked with buyers and sellers as successful real estate agents. In 2005, the Powells changed the name to Windermere Real Estate/Lane County. With a goal and plans for growth, Wood (37) joined the Powells as a partner in 2013. Wood was an owner of a Windermere Real Estate office in Lynnwood, Wash., before partnering with the Powells. Matt will turn 40 in November. It’s amazing to think someone with his resume in real estate from property management, investing, development, sales, title/escrow ownership, REO asset management, lending, insurance and managing Principal Broker is only turning 40. In his career over the last 18 years, Matt has received national press about his age. In 2006, he was awarded a national award from
National Association of Realtors (NAR) as a top 30 real estate agent under the age of 30. In 2008, Matt was part of the inaugural class of The Register-Guard Blue Chip 20 under 40 list. This year, the Powells celebrate 15 years of owning and operating Lane County’s largest real estate company. And, with the partnership of Wood, the plans and future goals look very promising for Windermere Real Estate and the four other businesses they own and operate throughout Oregon. Windermere Real Estate is ranked the largest regional real estate company in the Western U.S. with over 300 offices and 6,500 agents serving communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Mexico. Last year, Windermere closed over 85,000 home sales for more than $33.2 billion in volume. The Windermere family has a proud heritage of serving its neighbors via the Windermere Foundation which funds services for low-income and homeless families. Since 1989, the Windermere Foundation has contributed more than $33 million towards improving lives in the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.windermere.com.
RACK UP the Savings
Robin Allen, RN, MSN
Military Museum announces open board positions The Oregon Coast Military Museum, an Oregon domestic nonprofit and 501(c)(3) entity, is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for new board members. Executive Director Cal Applebee said, “We currently serve with 11 elected board positions, plus one ex-officio position from our volunteer ranks. We have a couple vacancies currently, and elections for several other positions will be fast approaching when those existing positions term out.” Board position applications can be found on the museum’s website. Applebee said, “I encourage those parties interested to visit both our website and our mu-
(From left) Matt and Tanya Powell and Elliott Wood run Windermere Real Estate/Lane County.
both a destination attraction for the City of Florence, but also to serve the mission “To Honor our Veterans by Educating our Public.” The museum is located at 2145 Kingwood St. in Florence, and open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from noon until 4 p.m. Learn more by visiting www.oregoncoastmilitary museum.com.
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SIUSLAW NEWS | BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018
— JOLLY FRIVOLITY —
3
T
he Jolly Egret, located at 1312 Bay St. in Historic Old Town Florence, held a grand opening in September after being open for the summer season. Thanks to neighbors, merchants in Old Town and the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, the opening helped celebrate the business’s successful first months. The store carries a selection of puzzles, Oregon books, tea and accessories, purses and bags, ornaments and more.
Chamber hosts annual RAIN announces new coastal venture catalyst Wine & Chowder Trail Florence’s annual Wine & Chowder Trail and Great Glass Float Giveaway returns this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Oct. 7. “Fall in Florence is a deliciously thrilling time,” said Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bettina Hannigan. “From Oct. 5 through 7, we add the flavor palate of Oregon’s finest wines and Florence’s best chowders to all the fun activities.” On Saturday, Oct. 6, is the Wine Trail, from 2 to 5 p.m. Participants can pick up a commemorative wine glass for $5 and tasting tickets for $1 each at Gazebo Park, at the corner of Bay and Laurel streets, then stroll scenic Historic Old Town Florence to sample wines from 13 different Oregon wineries. This part of the weekend is for 21 years and older only. The Chowder Trail is on Sunday, Oct. 7, from noon to 4 p.m. Ballots and maps will be available for $5 at the trailhead at Gazebo Park. There will be one dozen locally-made chowders for participants to sample and vote for.
Continuing throughout the weekend, visitors can venture around town in search of more than 30 hand-blown glass floats, hidden in plain sight, produced by local artisans. Entrants can tell the store’s clerk where they spotted a float and have their passport validated. The more floats a person finds, the better the chance of taking one home. Maps are available at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and wine and chowder trailheads. New this year will be Saturday’s Circles in the Sand beach art exhibit by sand artist Denny Dyke from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring the carving of a huge labyrinth on the beach at Driftwood Shores Resort, 88416 First Ave. In addition, local clamming expert Mike Bones will teach clam hunting and digging techniques, as well as how to identify local clams, at two clamming workshops in the Siuslaw River estuary. A contribution of $10 per adult is suggested, and children under 12 are free. For more info, call the chamber at 541-997-3128 or visit www.florencechamber.com.
On Oct. 3, Oregon RAIN (Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network) Coastal Venture Catalyst David Youngentob announced that he is leaving the position to pursue an MBA in finance at the University of Oregon. Youngentob said that “the incredibly qualified person” who will be continuing RAIN’s work in Western Lane County and Lincoln County is Brad Attig, currently employed by RAIN to provide alternative financing guidance to early-stage companies. As Coastal Venture Catalyst, Youngentob worked to expand the strength of RAIN’s network and resources available to entrepreneurs. Focused in and around Florence and up through Lincoln City, the position connects entrepreneurs with resources through RAIN’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — an expansive network of mentors and investors. “It has been a deeply fulfilling and meaningful two years in Florence and Lincoln County — working to advance RAIN’s mission of supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and high-growth potential companies in your community,” Youngentob said. “I have met unforgettable people, seen companies and entrepreneurs make inspiring progress, and made a host of friends—whom I look forward to staying in touch with throughout my life.” Attig has been an active mentor and supporter of local entrepreneurs, which will allow a seamless transition for RAIN and its coastal presence. Attig is the CEO and
THREE RIVERS from page 1A
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2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
While it’s possible the course could open in spring, Colton said it could take anywhere from one to two years for the project to come to fruition. “The way things are going, we’re moving really quickly,” Colton said about the changes to the casino. “Things are happening that’s never really happened before.” In the past year, the casino has gone through multiple renovations and reorganizations, including a new non-smoking area and the opening of a new fine dining restaurant, Bonfire. “Our golfers love to come to Bonfire,” Gortz said. “They compare it Portland. They’re starting to enjoy the golfing with the fine dining.” But the food services are considered an amenity to the casino: 95 percent of the casino’s revenue comes from the casino floor, mainly slots. Changes have also been made to the gaming floor, including extra blackjack tables, the addition of an Ultimate Texas Hold Em’ table and new popular slot machines, including popular brand properties like Ghostbusters and The Goonies. “Each month we’re getting 10 to 15 new games, which our guests are really loving,” Colton said.
PHOTO BY JOSH PURVIS
Oregon RAIN’s Brad Attig led the Startup Weekend Oregon Coast at Lane Community College Florence Center in July. “I believe in doing as much as possible to help create innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems in towns and cities, in particular rural communities here in Oregon,” he said. He is now the coastal venture catalyst. Founder of Foundry Collective. He has worked with Youngentob to co-produce the Coastal Pre-Accelerator in Lincoln County, which began Sept. 5. Attig will now lead the Florence Coastal Pre-Accelerator, which begins Oct. 17. According to RAIN, Oct. 11 is the deadline to apply to the Coastal Pre-Accelerator, a chance to take your business to the next level with a free, 10-week, hands-on program. “We have amazing speakers lined up for Wednesday nights from Oct. 17 to Nov. 14 at OPB’s Financial Center in Florence,” Youngentob said. In addition, all community members are
Since the Supreme Court struck down a law curtailing sports gambling in the U.S., gamblers have asked if Three Rivers is looking to get into the sports betting game. “I don’t think anybody has tackled that yet in Oregon,” Colton said. “It’s something we’ve talked about but haven’t jumped on yet. We do have options with our gaming system that would allow for that. But we’ve got these bigger projects first.” On the entertainment end, the casino is looking to book bigger shows, with the upcoming concert by 1980s rock band Great White already selling out, and tickets for comedian/actor Paul Reiser of the ‘90s TV series “Mad About You” are going fast. Whether or not the casino will ever host big names like Paula Abdul and The Oak Ridge Boys, which are playing at Chinook Winds in the coming months, Colton stated that those types of acts are not really geared toward the Three Rivers market. “We’re not Chinook Winds,” he said. “I understand their market. Chinook Winds has to pull people past Spirit Mountain Casino in order to get them to come out to Lincoln City. They do that with big name acts. That is a part of their strategy. It’s something we don’t have to do, but we want to offer something that people enjoy.”
welcome to come to these sessions for the first hour, from 5 to 6 p.m., to get important mentorship and insight on a variety of topics. “I am excited for RAIN’s future on the coast with Brad in leadership. He has an impressive background and is very familiar with RAIN’s coastal activities,” Youngentob said. RAIN selected Attig for the Mentor of the Year Award in 2017 for his work with the Coastal Pre-Accelerator participants in both Florence and Lincoln County. For more information about RAIN and the upcoming Coastal Pre-Accelerator in Florence, visit oregonrain.org.
As for the market that Three Rivers is tailoring too, it generally skews older, with the majority of their players in the 55- to 65-year-old cohort. As for where their customers come from, Colton said it’s a mix. “Eugene and Springfield are our biggest customers on the weekend,” he said. “On the weekend, we get 75 percent from the valley, and then 25 percent local. During the week, it flip-flops. It’s all locals and a few tourists.” To get out-of-towners to the resort, Three Rivers has made an aggressive campaign to attract those in Eugene, including new video commercials, a direct mail campaign and stronger billboard use. “We’re working on rotating our boards, making them more promotional,” Colton said. “We’ve also set up a board for tourism in Florence. So, you’ll see a board with horseback riding the dunes. Part of our campaign is getting people to come here to Florence. If we can get two hours of them on the floor, that’s great. Then they spend the rest of the day out on the dunes. It’s a win-win for everyone.” By helping promote activities outside the resort, Three Rivers hopes that it will bolster general tourism in the area, creating a stronger economy. As for what Three Rivers offers
the Siuslaw Region, Gortz said it came down to the 350 workers the casino resort employs. “People want jobs,” he said. “We want to help the community through hiring the community.” Gortz also mentioned working with Coos Bay College in starting a culinary apprenticeship program at the casino next year and is actively looking to work with local schools to get students working during the summer. Overall, Colton stated that the changes Three Rivers have been making has been paying off. “This summer was probably the busiest summer we have had,” he said. Gortz agreed, saying, “We’re busy. Everything that we’ve done has been the right thing to do. Because we’ve been successful, we’ve been spending our money doing things like (the food court). We’re putting it back in the property, making it a better value and hope it draws more people.” “I’d say this last year has been a turnaround year for us,” Colton said. Three Rivers Casino Resort is open in Florence at 5647 Highway 126 and in Coos Bay at 1297 Ocean Blvd. For more information about the casino, Ocean Dunes Golf Course and the upcoming renovation, visit www. threeriverscasino.com.
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4 SIUSLAW NEWS | BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018
BUSINESS BEAT 541-997-3128 290 Highway 101, Florence, OR 97439 www.FlorenceChamber.com www.facebook.com/florenceoregon www.twitter.com/FlorenceOrCoast
October 6, 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS
Business After Hours with Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) Thursday October 18th from 5-7PM. The artists and members of FRAA and the Chamber are excited to host Business After Hours. You’re invited to meet the artists, and share food and drink with your neighbors and the Chamber. Mix, mingle, and do some business! 120 Maple Street in Old Town. Distinguished Sponsors Best For Hearing and Lofy Construction along with Beaux Arts, Coastal Fitness, and Frames of Florence will be co-hosting Business After Hours in the Coastal Fitness Plaza Thursday November 1st. You’ll have a chance to visit chamber locations to eat, drink, connect, raffle, and do business! This event will be over the top, save the date now! Corporate Underwriter TR Hunter Real Estate hosts Business After Hours November 15th! Join Tim and his team of real estate agents and super staff for an evening of fun, food and drinks. Don’t miss your chance to connect with one of our Corporate Underwriters and find out how they maximize their membership and support the chamber in a big way! Business After Hours are FREE and open to the public. Come out and make new connections and do some business! Event Committee Meetings – Come join the fun! Want to grow your business? Business by referral is powerful. Participating on a Chamber Committee is an effective way to build relationships and referrals. Contact us for upcoming meetings and times at 541-9973128.
2018-2019
Corporate Underwriters Driftwood Shores Resort The Korando Dental Group Three Rivers Casino Resort
From the Director’s Desk By Bettina Hannigan Chamber Executive Director
Put your oxygen mask on first. Are you getting enough oxygen to be productive and stay healthy? I had the opportunity to do the invocation at Rotary a couple weeks ago and this thought was the theme. If you’re like most business owners and managers you’re busy managing staff, inventory, projects, and finances along with all the “little stuff ” that suck the time right out of the day. When is the last time you put your oxygen mask on and re-fueled? We have to take care of the caretaker or the caretaker won’t be taking care of much! Re-fueling is different for everyone. For
Business Matters: Who, What and Why?
By Russ Pierson Chamber Board President
One of our greatest assets in the Siuslaw region is the power of collaboration. With the city of Florence as its hub, our area has learned how to gain many of the advantages of much larger urban centers while still maintaining the easy living of life near the river. Just in the past 3-4 years, your Chamber has been front and center in partnerships that have brought critical business resources to our region. Our monthly Noon Forums and the highly-regarded Pub Talk series (set to begin again in January) have lured small business
Friends & Business By Bobby Jensen Jr. Chamber Board Member Many times, I have heard people say doing business with friends and family is a terrible idea. “Don’t do business with friends and family” they say. I ask, “Then who do you do business with, your enemies?” A friend or family member is your best business advocate. They are the ones that matter most as well. Many times, when working with a friend, businesses assume they can get away with putting them off because they understand or tell you that “it’s not a big deal”. Your busi-
some it’s adventure, some it’s vegging on the couch and for many it’s everything in between. Be careful that you don’t deplete your oxygen so much that you don’t have the energy to refuel, it happens. Your chamber membership is oxygen. By attending chamber connect events and learning opportunities you are putting on your oxygen mask. Your chamber board and staff work diligently to bring relevant resources to help you build your business. Take a minute and breath deep and consider how you can leverage more of your chamber resources. Education, chamber relationships, marketing partnerships, legislative advocacy and community connections are just a few ways you can put the oxygen mask on and fuel up. Rubbing elbows with business peers can be inspirational. Just one simple idea can change everything. When is the last time you Googled your business name? If you’re a chamber member I’m sure you’ve noticed that your chamber listing shows on the first page of the search.
This is no anomaly, it’s one of many chamber benefits. Even Google knows that Chamber matters. They put us on the top! FlorenceChamber.com has an average of over 24 THOUSAND page views a month. If you want your business seen, you need to be a chamber member and if you’d like it seen over 24,000 times a month become a Distinguished Sponsor or Corporate Underwriter and your business will be on every one of those page views. Congratulations to PeaceHealth Peace Harbor for their successful Business After Hours last month. Over 175 folks came out to mix and mingle and do some business. Business After Hours are very popular and very productive. Currently we’re booking into April 2019 but we’ve had two openings come up in February. If you want to promote your business call me and save your spot today. Fall is upon us. Take a breath and smell the fresh air, watch some football, read a book, make pumpkin cookies and re-fuel. We need you.
experts and resources from throughout the state to offer their best expertise. Two of these premier resources have committed to an ongoing presence in our region, and since they use acronyms, it is time to offer an introduction—or a quick refresher—and describe why they matter. RAIN stands for the “Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network.” It began as a collaboration between OSU and Corvallis and the UO and Eugene. RAIN has established a wonderful network of mentors, primarily from the startup world, and their focus is on “traded sector” businesses—businesses who sell products primarily outside their physical location. RAIN is well-known in the urban centers for their “accelerators,” a boot camp for entrepreneurs. Here in Florence, they’ve already graduated one happy cohort in a pre-accelerator, and they are currently seeking entrepreneurs (or “wannapreneurs”) for the next coastal pre-accelerator. If the shoe fits, you
won’t find better mentors anywhere. The SBDC refers to the Small Business Development Center. The SBDCs are a nationwide entity, broad in scope that operate out of the local community colleges in each state (including LCC’s Florence Center). They work with both startups and established businesses, but their focus is on local businesses whose customers are in the same geographical area. The Lane SBDC has a crazy great “Small Business Management” program that includes well over $2000 worth of classes for just $579 for an entire year. But they are currently offering the program for $329 to the first ten Florence-area businesses who sign up soon. Check with the LCC Florence Center for details—but hurry! The SBDC and RAIN are not mutually exclusive. They work hand-in-hand in our region to ensure your success. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of these rich resources in our backyard.
ness or organization needs to put the focus on those who already love you and are promoting you. Don’t punish them with longer wait times due to your relationship with them. Now, doing business in a small town like Florence, word of mouth is like a wild fire! Each and every friend you have becomes a walking talking promoter of you and your business. They become an asset. Every one that dislikes you and your business could be considered a liability. The same as in the financial world you want to acquire income producing assets, they potentially make you very wealthy as you add them up. Liabilities are the opposite, they are constantly taking your net worth down and eliminating your profit. Just like you build wealth by adding up your assets and eliminating liabilities you make friends and minimize enemies to create prosperous organizations and businesses. We all have situations when we dis-
agree or can’t seem to work well with someone else, but you don’t want to burn that bridge or make an enemy out of them. Apologize and take steps to restore relationships. You can still make them agree to your clear expectations before working together if you move your relationship back towards the friend category. My Google results state that it costs five times as much to acquire a new customer compared to keeping an old one. Now sometimes you just don’t like someone and that’s totally fine, you jerk. If you’re in business to earn money it’s in your best interest to at least do what you can to minimize their bad mouthing and dragging your name in the dirt. I have had my share of angry customers, but have found it to be a fun challenge to convert them to great customers. So now your challenge is to have more friends than the Chamber’s ambassador Mr. Mike Bones. Good Luck!
project scope, FURA and the City of Florence are preparing to rebid the project. We have worked in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on ReVision Florence since 2015. The project, known as ReVision Florence, will extend along Highway 101 between the Siuslaw River Bridge and Highway 126 , and east along Highway 126 to Spruce Street. ReVision Florence’s goal is to improve the streetscape along the Highway 101 and 126. If you spend the day in Historic Old Town Florence, it is accompanied by scenic views, historic architecture, and a pedestrian friendly downtown core with shopping, open space, and great people. Venture just
a few blocks north onto our highway corridors and you experience an expanse of pavement and cement that is not in line with the amazing features of our community. The By improving the streetscape, we improve our community’s first impression to our visitors and create a lasting impression for our citizens! Join us at the Best Wester Pier Point Inn. Lunch is available for $14. This event is open to the public. Strong business builds strong community!
TR Hunter Real Estate
Distinguished Sponsors 101 Things to Do Magazine Banner Bank Bi-Mart Best for Hearing Burns’s Riverside Chapel Blue Heron Gallery Christina Voogd, Principal Broker Coast Radio Fred Meyer Stores Handyman 101 Construction, LLC Lofy Construction Oregon Pacific Bank PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center Sea Lion Caves Shorewood Senior Living Spruce Point Assisted Living The Siuslaw News Wind Drift Gallery
Be sure to thank these members for their investment in our
community!
ReVision Florence Update! Thursday October 11th at 11:45AM. The Florence Urban Renewal Agency (FURA) and the City of Florence are excited for the next steps in the ReVision Florence Streetscape Project. After revising some of the
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HOLIDAY FESTIVAL ON THE COAST IN FLORENCE
Join us in HISTORIC OLD TOWN Tree Lighting on Saturday Hayrides and Caroling November 24th, 2018 ~ 3:30-6pm 2nd Annual Light up Your Boat-Float Seeking new light sponsors! Let’s make this celebration Bigger and Brighter!