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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 June issue are due by Tuesday, May 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. You may also mail editorial 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.
Sitting down on the job, for a while anyway
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| Paulette and Brian Kelley relax for a moment during the final days of their furniture store’s operations. After 24 years in Menlo Park Plaza, they’re closing this store but will continue to operate their Clackamas Kelley’s Furniture Showcase at 10822 S.E. 82nd Ave. |
| MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN |
Oh no, the furniture store that was started 71 years ago by Harold Kelley, originally in the Hollywood District, is not closing; the Kelley’s Furniture Showcase store in Clackamas will remain. Kelley’s closed its Hollywood store and kept the Menlo Park Plaza store over two decades ago, similar to what it’s doing now. The store just keeps moving further east.
Running two large furniture stores is a lot — even for those as capable and organized as the Kelleys. “Easter weekend [brought] my first full days off since Christmas Day,” said Brian Kelley, Harold’s son. “I don’t like that. We’re working until nine or 10 o’clock every night — it’s too much,” he continued.
“We want a day off,” said Paulette Kelley, Brian’s wife. “We just work too hard. We’re ready to not work so hard. We’re getting old,” she said with a chuckle. “I think I might learn how to play golf; sounds good but probably not going to happen.”
“Besides,” Brian went on, “the shopping center is nowhere near what it used to be.”
After the Kienow’s grocery store closed more than five years ago and was replaced by office supply mega-store Staples, Menlo Park Plaza has ceased being a heavily trafficked shopping center. “Traffic is way down. We’re a destination. We don’t get any walk-in traffic like we used too,” Brian said. “Clackamas is a very viable and growing area.”
The landlord at Menlo Park Plaza made the Kelleys’ decision easy. “They’ve been unresponsive to keeping us here,” said Brian of his negotiations with the landlord to keep the furniture store at the plaza.
“They’ve offered us no incentives to keep us here,” Paulette agreed.
You can still shop at Kelley’s Furniture Showcase — you’ll just have to drive an extra 15 minutes to see Brian and Paulette.
“If you want to shop at Kelley’s, [the Clackamas store] is going to be very similar to what [Menlo Park] was,” said Paulette.
DeWhitt opens appliance liquidation center on Airport Way
DeWhitt Appliance, located on Northeast 122nd Avenue and Airport Way has announced the grand opening of its warehouse liquidation center, located behind the main showroom.
The warehouse is full of new, brand name major home appliances that are blemished, yet still with full factory warranty. Because of a few dings or dents, they can be offered to DeWhitt customers at deeply discounted prices.
Merchandise varies week to week, but includes new washers and dryers, freezers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, stoves and range tops, from major manufacturers such as Frigidaire, Amana, Whirlpool, Maytag, Jenn-Air and DSC.
“This is a unique opportunity for our customers to save money on great products for their homes or investment properties,” said Brian Newsom, owner of DeWhitt Appliance. “Because of DeWhitt’s sales volume and special arrangements with major manufacturers, we can offer items that other retailers can’t match.”
The DeWhitt Liquidation Center hours are the same as the main showroom: Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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