An eclectic mix: New businesses bring new foods, products, services to town

By Dixon Bledsoe

If you haven’t taken a shopping trip in historic downtown Silverton lately, you don’t know what you are missing.

A couple of old favorites have relocated. The Chocolate Box has moved across the street to 115 N. Water, and Whimsy and Whimsy for Kids have combined in the larger space at 301 E. Main St. In the last few months, several new businesses have opened downtown, too.

First Friday , July 5 – is a great time to visit shops and restaurants as well as visit with friends. Here are some new businesses to discover:


Outlaw Steel and Designs

A new custom metal fabrication and high definition plasma cutting business opened at the corner of First and Main streets. Although at first glance the specials of the house might seem industrial or medically related, they are in fact beautiful works of custom art made from metal and wood. A plasma machine cuts metal into designs, and the store offers more than 4,000 of them. The art includes but is not limited to tables, lamps, sculptures, furniture and yard art.

Bill and Jackie Youngers, owners of the new specialty store, thrive on originality.

“Everything people want in their homes should be as unique as they are, like tattoos – custom, custom, custom,” Jackie says with a smile. They can do 2D and 3D imaging with wood, and several dimensions of depth and layers in metal. The Youngers have been vendors all over Oregon, but now call Silverton home. They are happy to have people bring in their own wood or metal, but they have plenty at home, too.

The Youngers enjoy working on designs from their client’s ideas and their own.


Birdie’s on Oak Street 

Judy Rae Parrish’s  “fine resale store”  opened in October at 210 Oak St. and the colorful shop is going strong.

It features second hand items, antiques, Judy’s art, which includes shadow boxes, painted furniture and hand-sewn pillows. It is tastefully decorated and filled with bright, colorful items.


Petcetera

If “Pooch” needs a poncho or “Kitty” needs a cardigan, this is the place to find it. The specialty store for the pet palette is packed with Oregon-made, one-of-a-kind toys, clothes and treats for dogs, cats, and perhaps a few other critters. Jennifer Chamberlain opened the store in June at 106 S. First St., and according to Elizabeth Hall who was filling in at the counter for Chamberlain, “Things are going very well and I know Jennifer is happy with the new store.”

The store comes complete with its own canine supermodel, Pekoe, a white toy poodle who is receptive to trying on the latest styles for demanding customers. They have “unique items for pets and their people!”


Twisted Mane

Linda Loyd is the owner/stylist of Twisted Mane, a hair and beauty salon next to Water Mountains Restaurant at 1397 B South Water St. Loyd opened the salon April 1, which she says with good chuckle, “Pretty funny day to open, wasn’t it?” She came from Woodburn and worked at Perfect Look in Silverton earlier, but wanted to start her own shop. She says she loves to color, perm, do facials, and does manicures and pedicures the natural way, using shellac instead of acrylics. She also can do foot detoxification.

“I want it to be a nice, quiet, and comfortable place and be like a family friend – peaceful, relaxing and a nice place to be for everyone,” she said.


Irina’s Global Cuisine

If you have a craving for authentic Russian and Argentinean food, Irina’s is the place to satisfy it.

Irina Ayhan started June 11 at 215 N. Water St. with a custom trailer in the parking lot next to Le Pooch.

Featuring fresh, hand-made Russian piroshkies, perogees and Argentinean empanadas, Irina’s follows a trend in Silverton where great food comes in a mobile package. The chicken, beef,and cabbage piroshkies are delectable, and the beef-filled empanadas are hot and flavorful.  The best part? The menu is always fresh and changes daily.  Ayhan is both owner and chef. She serves 11 a.m – 7 p.m.  Monday thru Saturday.


Apples to Oranges

When a knitting shop closed its doors this spring, the yarn crowd lost a warm and friendly place to gather to practice their craft and learn new skills.

Laurie Carter saw the void and wanted to fill the gap. Apples to Oranges opened its doors June 14, and has its official opening planned for July 5 – First Friday. The place is packed with color, from yarn to puzzles, and quilts to hats. Lynn William’s quilts are featured on the walls, and the wall displays yarn of every color imaginable.

Carter, a Silverton city councilor, came up with the name in a simple yet clever way.

“Laurie likes the idea of taking something, like a colorful piece of string, and turning it into something new and totally different,” explains Kelly Forster, who operates the store. The new shop will also feature classes and workshops. Even if you don’t knit, stop by and take a look. Its vibrant yarn in every hue is sure to inspire you to pick up some needles and learn how.

There is a beginning knitting and a crochet class from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights as well as classes for more experienced knitters and crocheters.

Every Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Carter invites people to come and knit a few rows to “unwind” from a busy day.


Postal Connections of America

Consider this new store like a business assistant, eager to help with office tasks.

Silverton will soon have a new shipping, packaging, mail receiving, fax sending/receiving store.

Postal Connections of America will open its doors in late July in the Silverton Shopping Center complex between Rite Aid and American Family Video.

Don and Sue Harteloo, who are celebrating 10 years in their Stayton store, are happy to have the new Silverton location.

“We just felt like Silverton could use the services we have to offer,” Sue Harteloo said. “We believe we can invest in small communities like Silverton and Stayton and make them a better place.”

The franchise will offer duplicating, notary, online access, office supplies, as well as other services. The Stayton operation won the 2005 and 2008 Postal Connections Store of the Year and 2011 Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce Business of the year.

“We look forward to bringing the same high level of customer service to the Silverton community,” Harteloo said.


Karmel Country

When Carol Goodwin and her son, Rob Goulart decided to open a caramel corn shop after Carol moved from Goldendale, Wash., in March, it was supposed to be Carol’s business.

But sometimes things don’t go according to plan.

On March 2, Carol moved to Silverton and began working with Rob to get the shop in the Ace Hardware/Hi-School Pharmacy complex remodeled and ready for business.

Then came the setback. Carol had a stroke three weeks into the project with the opening for their first First Friday was coming up fast.

Rob took over, and the 47 year-old father raising four kids alone took over and has decided to make the sweet shop a family business that he could pass down to his children – Danielle, 17, Lynnsey, 16, Justin, 12 and Isaiah, 9.

His goal? Sounds like he already reached it  – “We make the best caramel corn in the West,” he said with a serious smile.

The specialty of the house is, of course, caramel corn, but they also have vanilla and huckleberry flavors, as well as Seattle Chocolates, gift packs, mail order and a few antiques.

“We should have a delicious Wisconsin cheese popcorn in next month, and it is going to be big,” Goulart said.  The new owner wants to thank his community, too.

“We appreciate so much the support and patience we have received since Mom became ill. This is a warm and generous community and we love it here.”

The shops first First Friday was a smash, and it seems clear that Karmel Country, with its made-fresh-right-here treats, will become a Silverton mainstay.