Shop Small in Springfield
Small Business Saturday is an event that reminds us to Shop Small® during this time of year, the holiday season! Our Member Relations & Events Coordinator, Phil Morton, interviewed some of our Chamber Member retail businesses to tell us why they got into the business, what unique items and shopping experiences they offer, and to help us understand the importance of supporting local business. We interviewed Christopher Randall of Chuck and Alice, Richie Powell of All American Pet Supplies & Grooming, Stacy DeHart of FRINGe Boutique, Andrea Wolf of Remember the Moon, LLC, and Kelly Warren of Board & Brush Creative Studio. Check out their interviews below!
What does your business do best?
CHUCK AND ALICE: We are a unique, interesting and fun store to shop. It’s almost impossible to come in and shop our store without smiling, laughing and making a new friend. It’s a great place to just come hang out for a little bit or buy some unique gift for a friend.
FRINGE: FRINGe makes everyone who enters feel welcome and included. We make shopping fun and put people at ease.
ALL AMERICAN PET: The best service –I know a lot about pets- pet food, pet health, pet care- and, it’s a knowledge that directly helps my customers. Our store has 3 decades of experience – 30 years of business and we’ve seen a lot over time. This allows us to help customers and their pets, whatever the circumstances might be. For us, it comes down to great service and creating relationships with our customers and their pets.
BOARD & BRUSH: We are an instructor lead class where you don’t need to be crafty to have a great time and create a piece worthy of wall space.
REMEMBER THE MOON: Provide comfort, care and products for women undergoing cancer treatment – chemo clothes, radiation wear, headwear (wigs in the near future), inspirational cards, gifts & clothing; specializing in post mastectomy products including mastectomy bras and prosthesis. We bill insurance for mastectomy products. We also have a quaint event space for wellness, education and celebrations.
How did your business get its name?
CHUCK AND ALICE: Chuck and Alice were my grandparents and long time Springfield residents that loved their community. I chose the name to not only pay tribute to my family but also when I think of Springfield and what it means to me I think of people like Chuck and Alice that were the heart of Springfield, raised a family here and and their kids have raised their family here as well. To my grandparents there wasn’t a better community in the world than Springfield and they passed that love for Springfield down to all of us decedents.
FRINGE: While building the business model, we were discussing what benefits we would/could offer our clients. That is when the word ‘benefit’ linked with the word FRINGe. Hence the name FRINGe – The benefits are yours!
ALL AMERICAN PET: It’s funny, my mom actually used to show dogs as a hobby, and All American Pet started as business to get lower costs on pet supplies for her own hobby, and it evolved into what it is now, 30 years later. When my mom started the business, she wanted a name that would show up first in the phone book alphabetically. Placement in the phonebook used to be a big deal in the late 80’s!
BOARD & BRUSH: Our founder Julie Shelby started our company in her basement five years ago and it has taken off nationally. I assume our name is because we put brushes to board and make magic!
REMEMBER THE MOON: I fell in love with the moon and stars early on in life – who wouldn’t – they are magical, mysterious and I’m certain more meaningful than we know. At a time in my youth, going through “something difficult” I found myself standing in an Arctic Circle parking lot, face to the moon, breathing in and out, repeating to myself, “Remember the moon, remember the moon…” I realized no matter what is happening in my life, in the world, I’m tiny, brave and bold – and looking at the moon grounds me – I think most everyone experiences the same wonderment, phenomenon when he/she looks at the moon. The moon connects us all, we are all the same at our core.
What got you into your industry?
CHUCK AND ALICE: Born and raised a retailer I would say. I’ve worked at a lot of big box stores and for other companies and wanted to do it my way. I’ve tried to create a fun, interesting shopping experience loaded with all of my favorite things.
FRINGE: Tami and Stacy had a boutique once before name Little Black Dress. It was voted 3rd best boutique in Lane County before the ladies decided to close the shop to pursue other areas of interest. The ladies remained great friends and this last winter, while on a trip to Mexico, they decided to bring back the shop! So, with a click of margarita glasses it was decided!
ALL AMERICAN PET: An accident, actually. I started working part time at the store when I was around 15 and around when I was 19, my mom hurt her back and had to step away from the business for a bit. I had to rapidly learn about the pet industry and how to run a business.
BOARD & BRUSH: I used to have a little garage side gig making wooden state signs. I love the creative process and Bnb seemed like the perfect way to share this art form. Life threw me some crazy lemons a couple of years ago and Board and Brush Springfield became the sweetest lemonade out of that. Now where’s that vodka?!
REMEMBER THE MOON: Oh…so, so many things. When I graduated college, I got a job at a boutique on NW 23rd Street in Portland to “learn the ropes – how to run a business.” It was short lived – I wasn’t making any money, didn’t have health insurance and could hardly survive even with two roommates. But I always kept the boutique world in my back pocket knowing that at some point in my life if I didn’t make it as a writer, a singer, a fashion designer or movie star – I could open my own boutique and do ANYTHING I wanted inside. Passionless positions at many different companies followed for 18 years and on January 8th, 2013, 17 days after my 40th birthday I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. And I said, “What in the hell are you waiting for????” After treatment I got involved in a startup non-profit (Positive Community Kitchen) providing healthy meals to cancer patients and families, then worked as a Patient Navigator at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute (where I received my cancer treatment) and then, as the stars aligned, through my work ant WVCI, I met Cynthia Crawford, owner of Cynthia’s Fine Lingerie; specializing in post mastectomy products for 33 years in Eugene, Springfield, Florence and Southern Oregon. All my everything, for my 45 years living, lead me here. Cynthia and I connected over an enchanted meeting and she was looking to retire and find “the” one to carry on her business/service to our community and I was looking for my passionate purpose and creative contribution to our community and maybe beyond.
Why do you love Springfield? What made you want to have a business here?
CHUCK AND ALICE: Born and raised right here in Springfield and raised by people that were born and raised here as well. My dad has three brothers and my mom had three sisters, all Springfield residents. It’s where my family is, it’s where my heart is. Downtown Springfield is becoming something very special in the state of Oregon and I want to help support that and be apart of it. I would like to think that my Grandparents would be so proud of what’s happening and how i’ve decided to help with that.
FRINGE: Stacy and her husband own a home and an Airbnb in Springfield. They chose to live in Springfield because of the charming downtown area and central location. When shopping for a retail location, it was not a hard decision. With Stacy’s love of Springfield and the fact they had started Little Black Dress in Springfield with such great results so many years ago, it seemed a natural fit.
ALL AMERICAN PET: The store was in Eugene from 88 to 2007. We then received a letter from the property developer that they were redeveloping our property, and that we would need to find a new business home. We were looking for a new location and noticed a gap in the neighborhood in the area of pet-care- and decided to move to Springfield. It was a wonderful transition; the community, the support from the city (getting inspections and permits) – it was all so welcoming and we’ve grown to really love Springfield and we’re proud to call it home.
BOARD & BRUSH: We had been looking in Eugene for months and couldn’t find the right home for our studio. We were referred to the Booth Kelly Mill by another business owner. When I got out of the car under the giant crane shed with it’s amazing architecture and funky vibe, I knew this was it. Springfield and their staff have been phenomenal hosts and partners in our business’ success.
REMEMBER THE MOON: I grew up in the country in West Eugene. After college, I moved to Portland and lived there for 9 years. I loved Portland. Restaurants open after 8pm and always bustling with people. Music and art and shopping and – people. A charmed city. I moved back to Eugene for a year – was my plan – I enjoyed so much exploring Eugene as an adult. And when I had my first opportunity to look into buying a house, I looked in Springfield because I could get more for what I could afford than I could in Eugene. I began exploring the quaint neighborhoods and spent a lot of time on Main Street dreaming of filling one of the empty store fronts with me and my business – whatever it was going to be. Jump ahead about 13 years and me and my husband were married in 2010. We found the most darling house in Springfield in 2012 and were the first to put in an offer and we got it!! Then, I continued to drive Main Street looking at all of the empty storefronts thinking, “Springfield has so much charm. I want a business here. It’s going to boom.” Not even a year went by, I got my “magic cancer” and after treatment I knew I had to have a spot on Main Street.
What sort of celebrations/promotions/events do you have going on for the holiday season?
CHUCK AND ALICE: Right now we are open late for Art Walk but plan on having more events coming up in the future.
FRINGE: We like to make a party a BIG party! So when the other Paramount Stores invited us to join in the Holiday Fair this November we jumped on it! It will be the entire Paramount Center filled with super fun shops all decked out for the Holidays! Plus! We have our Super Surprise Saturday sale EVERY SINGLE Saturday! When ringing up retail items, a good majority of those items will ring up LESS THAN THE TICKETED PRICE! SURPIRSE!
ALL AMERICAN PET: We’ve had great growth this year, so much so that we haven’t had a lot of time to plan specific events for Small Business Saturday yet. But we’re working on getting good stocking stuffers for pets for the holiday season! Our store is a great option to make a stop for that.
BOARD & BRUSH: We are booking staff parties and private holiday events like crazy! Our open public options will be expanded and we promise to have something for everyone. There will also be an amazing gift card sale during small business week. Follow us on social media for details.
REMEMBER THE MOON: I plan/hope to be on the map for the 2nd Friday Springfield Artwalk on December 13th. I’m changing my hours to 11am to 7pm Monday – Thursday beginning October 28th to accommodate people working 8 – 5 and dinner patrons roaming Main Street. I will be posting “pop-up” events as well throughout the holiday season on social media and on the sidewalk in front of my shop.
What element of your small business do you brag about?
CHUCK AND ALICE: We have some fun, interesting gift giving merchandise that the big box stores don’t carry. My family is in the store a lot. Cousins, aunt and uncles, my brother and even my dad are frequent visitors. As i tell my customers, if you are from anywhere near the Thurston area it will take me less than five minutes to connect you to my family. If i have family visiting me expect to be in the shop for a long time reminiscing about school or the town. If you aren’t from Springfield you will feel welcome and generally leave the shop learning new things about the town and making new friends. We truly want everyone that comes in to feel like family, hang out and leave happier than when you walked in.
FRINGE: We love that we can just be our silly selves! Stacy is the areas Favorite Pink Haired Realtor and has the sweetest giggle. Tami is a local blogging comedian @tuesdayswithtami. This means at anytime the ladies may be doing a live video in the store, or dancing in the store with customers to some booty shaking music! All this while giving excellent customer service and a super fun shopping experience!
ALL AMERICAN PET: Two elements we brag about: first is our award-winning pet grooming service. And that carries into our second area of pride – our extensive knowledge of pet food and supplies. I know pet food, and I know it well.
BOARD & BRUSH: We were just voted the “best group activity” through the Eugene Weekly’s 2019 Best Of voting. It’s really about people coming together in one space to celebrate, bond have a blast and come away feeling pretty darn crafty!
REMEMBER THE MOON: That I provide an essential service in a warm, welcoming, bright space and I offer a unique retail shopping experience for foot traffic customers.
What does it mean when people decide to “shop small” at your business?
CHUCK AND ALICE: A lot of our customers that have supported us so far have been fellow Springfield residents rooting for our downtown to succeed. They’ve also been people that are looking for something different and unique that they can’t find other places. We never thought that we would ever have this much support from the community but it’s been overwhelming how many people are rooting for, and supporting us to help us succeed. I honestly feel blessed that I get to interact with such good people everyday. I can’t wait to see who I meet tomorrow.
FRINGE: It means so many positive things! Because the sheer nature of our business is recycling, you are reducing landfill waste and thusly making a smaller footprint on our environment. People are able to keep themselves looking fashionable at such easy to handle prices! Also, you are engaging with two seriously funny women in a dream to help clean out closets and dress people in cool clothing in Springfield!
ALL AMERICAN PET: One, It allows us to stay open to keep serving people and their pets. But I also see it as an important investment in the local community. To me, it’s a no-brainer to shop locally – you support business within the community and create more jobs. You build personal relationships and experiences that you’re unable to with large, online retailers. Many times the prices are so comparable, that why wouldn’t you want your dollars to help stimulate the local economy? Additionally, if you’re a small business owner, it’s important to remember that you should do your part in keeping another small business going – especially if you hope for them to become a customer to you in the future. If you’re a small business, shop small. Anyone who cares about their community should shop small.
BOARD & BRUSH: Shopping small with us means that you are supporting a female owned business and our staff of college students and moms. You are supporting a strong local economy. Best of all, shopping small with us means you’re sure to have a great time! It’s a win win!
REMEMBER THE MOON: Shop Small means supporting your community and making a big difference in individuals’ lives. Shopping small connects our community. It’s a big deal to provide comfort, confidence and community. Most of all, it’s reciprocal. It means you can touch and feel the products, gain real life insight into the product/service and add a tangible delight to your day. Remember the Moon offers a pampered and meaningful experience to anyone, and specifically those who are beyond tired of clinical spaces. Remember the Moon is a happy space. We can all use more happy.
Don’t forget to check out these other Chamber Member Businesses on Small Business Saturday!
5th Street Public Market
Archer Floor Coverings
Celeste Watch Company
Chase Flowers & Gifts
Crema & Bloom
Curtis Restaurant Equipment, Inc.
The Duck Store
Emerald Art Center
Euphoria Chocolate Company
The Flower Market, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties
Hearts for Hospice
Hometown Pets
Jean Marie’s Fabric’s & Sewing Machines
Jerry’s Home Improvement
Kalediscope Clothing
Our Sisters’ Closet
Parr Lumber
The Rusty Porch
The Shoppes at Gateway
Time Travelers of Oregon
Springfield Vaccum and Sewing
Urban Lumber Company
Worldwide Granite & Tile
