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Parkrose tavern #1 scratch-off retailer in Portland region
DARLENE VINSON
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
It isn’t often that a small, local tavern owner can beat the big boys, but that’s just what happened recently in a pair of Oregon Lottery Commission sponsored contests. To promote sales of its Win For Life product, the commission challenged retailers to 1) sell more scratch-off tickets than others in their region and 2) show the largest increase in sales of scratch-off tickets during a prescribed six week time period. Winning retailers in each category would be awarded a camping package valued at about $750. The Venture Inn Tavern at Northeast 141st Avenue and Sandy Boulevard walked off with both titles and the two camping packages.
Not only did the Venture Inn have sales of tickets in excess of $14,000 during the contest period; they increased their sales by more that 1200%. The regions big three retailers for lottery scratch-off ticket sales are typically Summit Bingo on Northeast 181st and Glisan Street, Fred Meyer-Division and Fred Meyer-Gateway. These are all large venues with much greater traffic volumes. Venture Inn owner Karl Kunberger, proud of their success, credits a special scratch-off contest he held on Friday, March 7 and the efforts of his employees for putting them over the top.
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| Happy winner, Cara Lee Roberts, protects her stash of lottery tickets. |
| Mid-county Memo photo by Tim Curran |
As further incentive, Kunberger told his employees he would award the camping package to whoever sold the most scratch off tickets during the Lottery contest period. Since they triumphed in both categories, waitresses Darlene Wallace and Melissa Crawford will each receive the camping gear. Included are a tent, sleeping bags, two-way radios, a lantern, heater, cook stove, cook set, cooler and first aid kit. No word yet on where Wallace and Crawford plan to test their newly acquired camping equipment.
It has been just over a year since the Venture Inn opened its doors. Since that time, there has been some remodeling done, more beers have been added and regular entertainment events are scheduled. Kunberger calls his place a nice neighborhood tavern where people come to meet friends. He caters to a diverse crowd and says, “everyone knows everyone”. To serve this diversity, he offers a varied menu from soups and chili to burgers and other hearty fare.
Activities include eight-ball tournaments every Saturday night and dart leagues during the week. By far their most popular night, however, is Karaoke Thursdays. To reward all this local talent, a special Karaoke Grammy Night is scheduled for Saturday, April 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Awards will be presented in categories ranging from Best Male and Female Vocalists, Best Country Performer, Best Elvis Impersonator and Best Sinatra Impersonator, and more.
To learn more about scheduled events call the tavern at 503-255-7880.
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