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A significant force in any community consists of its neighborhood businesses. The Mid-county MEMO offers this section to our business neighbors for news, advancements, promotions, expansions and other noteworthy events to be shared with the community at large. To ensure publication, please send submissions for each month by the 15th of the previous month. Business MEMO submissions for the December issue are due by Monday, Nov.15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or you can also mail editorial submissions to: 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR, 97230. To call or leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. Mid-county MEMO fax number is 503-249-7672.
Classique Floors moves, but not far
Perhaps the tradition of family owned businesses in the Hazelwood Neighborhood was begun in 1938 when the Heber family opened their hardware store on Southeast Stark Street.
With the move of Classique Floors just across the street from its former location into the remodeled building at 14127 S.E. Stark St., Judith and Joe Huck carry on that tradition. Offering conventional floor coverings like carpet, vinyl and tile along with the more exotic Brazilian cherry or merbau hardwoods, Classique Floors has been serving discerning Portlanders since 1977. The Hucks purchased the business in 1998 and say customers can also count on expert design assistance and professional installation.
Active in the community and supportive of local charities, Classique Floors has made donations of flooring and labor to facilities occupied by Mt. Hood Habitat for Humanity and SnowCap. Judy Huck says it is their way of giving back to neighbors who have supported her business for nearly three decades.
The store is open seven days a week. Stop in to tour the new showroom and welcome some new old neighbors.
City boosts business recycling efforts
Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development has launched a new program to assist and recognize local businesses beyond the city’s mandate to recycle half the business’ waste. The new BlueWorks project provides businesses with free, customized recycling and waste prevention guidance. Companies meeting or exceeding rigorous waste prevention and recycling standards will qualify for recognition as a Portland BlueWorks Business.
“Thanks to the ongoing efforts of local business, Portland has become a nationally recognized leader in recycling,” says Dan Saltzman, Portland City Commissioner in charge of OSD. “Portland BlueWorks will reward those businesses going beyond the city’s current requirements, while also helping us to meet our citywide recycling goal of 60 percent by 2005.”
Eligibility as a Portland BlueWorks Business is determined with the following criteria:
• Appoint a recycling coordinator or green team.
• Engage in at least six activities to prevent waste, such as printing double sided or using durable dishware.
• Purchase paper with a minimum 30 percent recycled-content, as well as four additional recycled-content items.
• Establish a purchasing policy for recycled-content products.
“Portland businesses generate 77 percent of the city’s waste stream, much of that in paper products,” says Megan Stein, business recycling specialist. “Small improvements to an organization’s recycling program can make a significant impact on reducing waste otherwise headed to the landfill, not to mention the savings in energy, water and virgin paper resources,” she added.
For those companies needing some extra help in becoming a BlueWorks Business, OSD offers free, full-service site visits to get recycling programs in the right track.
Businesses that don’t currently qualify for BlueWorks recognition will receive the assistance they need to become members, including tools to identify areas of improvement; posters and recycling bin labels; waste prevention and recycling tips particular to a business’ industry; storage and collection containers; and strategies to increase employee participation.
To turn your business blue call OSD at 503-823-7109.
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