BBQ outlet to open Monday in Mac
The Texas-style Stampede Barbecue Company will be opening for business Monday, April 23, in the former location of the Dragon Gate Chinese restaurant at 1310 N.E. Baker St., next to the liquor store.
Owner Wes Ferguson II said it will be a family operation, with all four of his adult sons lending a hand. He said the menu will feature spareribs, barbecued ribs, pulled pork and brisket, served with traditional side dishes like coleslaw, potato salad and corn bread.
Working with him will be sons Wes III, Sean, Cameron and Ryan, along with Ryan's fiancee, Misty Easterwood. They range in age from 19 to 35, and most have prior restaurant experience.
Ferguson has spent the past 14 years in the auto industry, working at the Chuck Colvin Auto Center, the Jim Doran dealerships, Larsen Motors and Loren Berg Chevrolet.
"I learned a lot from all those businesses," he said. "They're family operations. When the family stays strong and works together, the business is a success."
In getting the venture going, Ferguson's chief challenges have been securing an experienced staff and getting all the supplies he needs from vendors carrying reduced inventories. But he's worked through those and is ready to go.
Ferguson plans to offer billiard and Oregon Lottery play, serve wine and beer, maintain a lounge area and feature karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. He said the building encompasses 3,500 square feet and plenty of parking is available.
The phone number is 503-435-2078.
:FLEA MARKET
The Granary District's McMinnville Public Market, located at 755 N.E. Alpine St., is launching a new element today in partnership with the McMinnville Antique n - the monthly Alpine Street Flea Market.
Previously, the weekly Saturday market has focused on locally grown foodstuffs, locally prepared hot food and locally produced arts and crafts items. So this represents an expansion.
The flea market will be staged every third Saturday. It will run the same hours as the main market - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"We've always loved the idea of people reusing, recycling and re-purposing," said Manager Shannon Thorson. "We feel like this is an opportunity to support that need and help the market - a win-win."
For the initial run, about a dozen vendors have signed up.
"We're starting out small, but we're excited about the opportunity," she said. "We hope to build a cool vibe."
Like the public market, Thorson plans to feature music. She hopes to lure some additional vendors with "really cool stuff" to sell.
In the future, she would also like to schedule an appraiser occasionally. For more information, contact her at 503-550-3812 or themarketinfo@aol.com.
:NEWBERG EXPO
The Christian Chamber of Commerce of the Northwest will hold a Beat the Recession Business Expo from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the Villa Academic Center at George Fox University.
The center is located at 501 Villa Road in Newberg. Dozens of exhibitors will offer displays in a tabletop format.
"Here, you will find businesses and organizations that may have a product, service or job opportunity you may be looking for," said Dundee businesswoman Vida Ice, who is coordinating the event. "We urge everyone to come to this free event to network and explore the possibilities for their future."
For more information, contact her at vida@vidaice.com or 503-750-9062.
:WOODLANDS MEET
Mark Havel of Future Forestry Products Inc. in Willamina will be the featured speaker in a session being co-sponsored by the Yamhill County Small Woodlands Association and Oregon State University Extension Service. It is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, in the auditorium at the Yamhill County Extension Office at 2050 N.E. Lafayette Ave.
A social period will precede the session at 6:30. Both are open to the public.
Havel will discuss small-scale, low-impact, low cost equipment options for thinning, selective harvesting and firewood processing. He has developed a line of log arches, pruning tools and a kinetic firewood processor for such chores.
Free refreshments and door prizes will be offered. For more information, call Leonard Rydell at 503-538-5700.
:NEW ASSISTANT
Industry veteran Michelle Gregor has joined the escrow staff at the McMinnville branch of First American Title, 775 N.E. Evans St.
Gregor has more than 11 years of experience in the title and escrow business. During her off-work hours, she is raising two daughters, ages 3 and 5, in Carlton.
She can be contacted at 503-472-4627 or mgregor@firstam.com.
:INVESTING SEMINAR
Kevin Gebhart, a local financial advisor for Edward Jones, will host a seminar on tax-free investing at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at the McMinnville Senior Center, 2250 N.E. McDaniel Lane. There is no charge.
The session, titled "Tax-free Investing: It's Not What You Make, It's What You Keep," is designed to help participants determine if tax-free investing may be an answer for them. To register, call Gebhart or Teresa Jones at 503-472-0234.
Molly Walker, the News-Register's business editor, can be reached at mwalker@newsregister.com or 503-687-1272.
