By Dixon Bledsoe
Long-time local businesses have seen economic dips before. Their owners and managers are using past experience to deal with this recession. For some, tried and true business methods and a sturdy reputation keep them going. Others have taken a hard look at their operations and are adjusting to meet new challenges.
The Towne House Restaurant and Lounge Inc., has been in the same location at 203 East Main St. in Silverton since Loren Rolie started the gathering and eating place in 1963. Kelly Miller is part-owner of her late father’s restaurant, along with brother, Rick.
Times have changed, said Miller.
“When dad started the Towne House in 1963, he was also a meat cutter but things were entirely different.
Liquor licenses were not so easy to obtain as they are today and were worth something. It seems like almost anyone can get them today. Also, there were just not that many places to eat in town and certainly no fast food places. Those things have really hurt the restaurant business.
“We are hanging in there, trying hard like everyone else,” Miller said. “The new laws on smoking have hurt somewhat, but we’ve put in a game area in the back where the big dining room used to be. In this business, there is little money to be made in food, so the idea dad had about volume and keeping prices low was true then. Now, we find that there isn’t a lot to be made on food and it requires more labor. The profit margin comes from the sale of liquor and the Lottery.”
Miller added “We’ve been doing alright, too, because we cut our own steaks, make our chicken-fried steak right here, have reduced overhead, and along with our brother, Rod, and sister, Kim, we own the building. The service and food are good, and we have it reasonably priced, but the bar and video poker machines are helping us along during the tough times.”
After more than 100 years in business, the “old way” seems to be working just fine, even in a down economy, for Eastman Heating and Sheet Metal Inc.
“We just do things the old way, providing great service. That is why we’re here, because of the wonderful customers we have in the Silverton-Mt. Angel area,” said manager Barry Zauner. The heating company is located at 6175 Aviation Way N.E. by the Silverton airport and has eight employees.
The business was started by Corey Eastman and then run by his son, Norman. While the ownership has changed hands four times in the past century, the idea that great service keeps customers hasn’t.
“At Eastman’s, we keep them happy. Not too hot, not too cold,” said Jill Brueckner, office manager.
Brueckner, who has been with the company for 13 years, is the daughter of Stan Olson, who along with his partner George Smith, bought Eastman’s in 1963 and sold it to Roth’s Heating in 1998.
Cory McGregor owns three Roth’s heating businesses, including locations in Canby and Sisters.
“Even in this economic downturn, we are doing just fine. We had to downsize a bit because in 2006, the heart of our business was new construction,” Brueckner said. “But now our focus is remodeling and service work and we have actually added specialists to help with weekend and after-hours work.”
She believes the key to their success is, “Keeping the customer happy and warm, or cool, through great service and knowledge about all of the newer high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners. That knowledge helps customers get maximum tax credits and lower bills.”
