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 December issue are due by Saturday, Nov.15. For best results, email 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.
Father and son Tom and Dean Gauthier own the Carpet Kingdom, which moved 20 blocks west to 656 N.E. 102nd Ave. last month. Their new location has triple the showroom space and warehouse, which allows them to stock discounted carpet remnants.
Memo photo/Tim Curran
Kingdom moves to larger castle
After 21 years at their Russell neighborhood location next to Bi-Mart on Northeast 123rd and Halsey Street, the Carpet Kingdom is moving 20 blocks west, next door to Loving’s Salon in the space formerly occupied by Edelen Doors and Windows at 656 N.E. 102nd Ave.
With the move, the neighborhood carpet and flooring store, owned by father and son Tom and Dean Gauthier, grows from 1,700 to 5,500 sq. ft., tripling its showroom space and adding a warehouse.
The added space not only allows more showroom space for samples, but also enables them to stock rolls of carpet and remnants for better pricing. “I’m excited,” Dean said. “The move is going to be good. We have a bunch of new racks coming, and with the warehouse, we can stock rems, something we haven’t done since the Metropolitan Floor days” (their original location more than 30 years ago on Northeast Halsey Street at 107th Avenue). “Now, you can walk in, buy a rem and take it with you,” he added.
Even so, moving after more than 20 years at one location is a challenge. “Tom and I are going back and forth between here and the new place to get it ready for opening [in November],” Gauthier said. “I like being 20 blocks closer to Portland, than 20 blocks closer to Gresham.”
Entrepreneurship program for high school students
The Mt. Hood Community College Small Business Development Center is launching a new pilot entrepreneurship program designed to introduce high school students to the world of entrepreneurship, explore in-depth the various elements of starting a business and ultimately provide students with their own journey as entrepreneurs through a team-based environment.
Project Proto focuses on 20 sessions that run weekly from January through June 2015. Students will have the opportunity to be trained and mentored by leaders in the business community. The program meets each Monday from 3:30 to 6 p.m., excluding Spring Break. Program trainings will be held at MHCC’s Gresham campus, 26000 S.E. Stark St. Interested students must complete a questionnaire online. There is no fee for students that are accepted into the program. Experience is not required to enter the entrepreneurial program
Students will have an opportunity to learn the fundamental aspects of a business, including addressing the following key questions every entrepreneur faces:
• What are the traits common to successful entrepreneurs?
• What are fundamental elements for successful companies?
• How does a person know if an idea makes a good company?
• What creates great teams?
• What are the best methods for generating sales?
• How does someone navigate the steps in developing a product and readying it for market?
• What are the different types of capital available for entrepreneurs?
For more information about this exciting new program, please contact Kedma Ough, Small Business Development Center Manager, at kedma.ough@mhcc.edu. Space is limited. The program is open to all high school students.
With a brand new location and new board of directors under its belt, the Parkrose Farmers’ Market ended the 2014 season, its seventh, Saturday, Oct.11.
Memo photo/Darlene Vinson
Parkrose Farmers’ Market marks end of season
With the brand new location and new board of directors under its belt, the Parkrose Farmers’ Market ended the 2014 season Saturday, Oct.11.
After six seasons in the Parkrose High School Community Center parking lot, the market moved to the parking lot of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ Church in the Russell neighborhood.
According to Market Master Ron Glanville, who is also active in the church, he was pleased with not only the new location, but also all the new customers. “We are pleased with the participation of vendors and customers to the new location and look forward to the 2015 season with our traditional anchor vendors and so many new entrepreneurial partners serving food, produce flowers, plants and crafts.”
