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Local businesses are the lifeblood of our community. 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. Business Memo submissions for the October issue are due by Tuesday, Sept. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, dial 503-287-8904. The Mid-county Memo fax number is 503-249-7672.
Murdock manufactures motoring magic
Ric Murdock, formerly of Portland Muffler, has opened his own business called The Other Shop, 6435 N.E. Colwood Way in Portland, off Columbia Boulevard.
Murdock has over 36 years of experience manufacturing — among other things — performance and custom exhaust systems for automobiles and off-road vehicles. He began with Portland’s Exhaust Specialties where he manufactured headers, the tubular exhaust systems that come off a car’s engine. Most recently Murdock was the face of Portland Muffler, Northeast 122nd and Airport Way.
Now he’s his own man, bringing years of expertise in creating and manufacturing exhaust systems. He spoke to the Memo from the bay of his current location.
“A lot of times,” Murdock said, “I’m custom building headers and exhaust systems (not just selling off-the-shelf systems).”
One of his specialties is restoring cars to original stock condition. “People are restoring muscle cars,” he said, “making them look like they came off the showroom floor, like they just came from the factory.”
In addition, Murdock is in the business of manufacturing special parts for all manner of vehicles, sometimes elaborate pieces for unusual engines. One of his most memorable fabrication projects was for a firm that needed a one-of-a-kind special exhaust pipe for its mining locomotive’s engine. For that project, Murdock copied the design from the original part and then built the part from scratch, beginning with rolling and welding pipe.
His experience in the field includes work providing custom-built parts for the repair of Volvos and other car manufacturers. He’s also created and manufactured prototype exhaust systems for cars.
The Other Shop also specializes in exhaust systems for off-road vehicles as well, most recently manufacturing slip-on replacement mufflers for UTVs, or utility terrain vehicles. The performance mufflers are meant for off-road vehicles like the Kawasaki Teryx and Yamaha Rhino. Called slip-on because you can slip off the original muffler and slip on Murdock’s performance exhaust system, the improved muffler system helps the engine breathe and keeps the sound level down.
Another specialty for the talented Murdock is the suspension system on an automobile, usually a truck. He offers suspension lowering, which he said makes the automobile perform better.
“Your truck will ride like a Cadillac,” he said, “and it can pull a trailer, but it has to (be) done properly.”
At the same time you’re having your suspension lowered, Murdock said, it’d be appropriate to change to custom wheels and tires.
“It’s cosmetically better looking,” he said, “and rides better.” He also recommended a brake system upgrade with bigger tires.
Murdock revealed a delicate touch from the burly man who forges metal pipe for a living — he’s a graduate of Dale Carnegie’s Customer Relations course. He adds that not only is his work a passion, but that he’s also here to help.
Hours at The Other Shop are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 503-329-1717.
Kelley’s closes its doors
After over 70 years in business — in locations ranging from the Hollywood district to Mid-county and finally to Clackamas — Brian Kelley is retiring, selling everything down to the very walls of Kelly’s Furniture Showcase. Kelley told his wife, Paulette, she’d “have to go out and get a real job now.”
Kelley’s Furniture Showcase was a fixture in Menlo Park Plaza for decades. After closing their Mid-county store a year and a half ago, the Kelleys concentrated on their other furniture store in Clackamas.
“I should have retired and quit two years ago,” Kelley said. “With the economic downturn these last few years, I’d have saved a lot of money if I did.” When the Kelleys opened their Clackamas store eight years ago, there were thirteen furniture stores on or near their Southeast 82nd Avenue location, close to the Clackamas Town Center. After they close sometime in October only two will remain.
But in the meantime, the Kelleys want to extend an invitation to their Mid-county customers to stop by and say hello and, sadly, good-bye. They would also like to say thank you to all their Mid-county customers for their patronage over the years. There will be sales and discounts as they wind the business down. And if you know the Kelleys, you also know they’re not hiring liquidators and it won’t be a bankruptcy sale, so you’ll see the same old faces there to help you. Kelley’s Furniture Showcase is located at 10822A S.E. 82nd Ave. The phone number is 503-786-8883.
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