On Biz: Drain's Christmas Treasures & Gifts offers cheer

Rather than be disappointed the empty building, a former diner, wasn't selling, Dave Akins decided to fill it full of Christmas cheer.

A contractor, Akins had previously renovated the building. He then spent several more weeks on developing his new idea and last Wednesday opened Christmas Treasures & Gifts at 438 West B St. in Drain. The storefront faces Highway 38.

Akins and his wife Patti own the new business that features a larger selection of vintage Christmas ornaments, most of them of the Hallmark brand. They are “treasures” that Dave Akins been collecting for about 40 years, but now he's ready to pass them on.

“I think we'll do OK,” Akins said of the new business. “It's unique. I guess I could be shocked and it could go over really well.”

In addition to ornaments, the 1,100 square foot building also has a selection of stockings, Florence ceramics and Christmas candies, including Tammy's Fabulous Fudge that is made by Tammy Wolfer of Drain.

The store's hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Akins plans to keep the store open until mid-January, but said if business is good enough to warrant it, he could keep Christmas Treasures & Gifts open longer.

The store can be called at (541) 836-7030.

NEW LOOK AT EYE CENTER

The Weston Eye Center is featuring a sight for sore eyes — a new 3,000 square foot expansion.

After stepping inside, you'll see a new face as Dr. Ronald Slocum, an ophthalmologist, recently joined the center.

The three-month construction project was completed this week, just in time for the center to host the Roseburg Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event on Tuesday. Half of the expansion space will be used by the eye center and the other half is available for rent.

“The new building will enable us to expand our clinical research program and add hearing services to our offerings,” said Dr. Jon-Marc Weston who founded the center in 1991. “Adding hearing care to our offerings is important because hearing and sight are so closely aligned.”

Slocum joined the center after completing his residency at the University of Michigan earlier this year. He earned his medical degree at the University of Washington.

Slocum is starting a second career, having earlier in his life worked as an engineer.

“He's a wonderful addition to our care team,” Weston said of Slocum. “Our community's physicians are of course aging right along with the rest of our population. That means we are going to need to bring in a lot of new doctors to replace those who retire. So we are fortunate to be able to add a physician to our staff who will be able to serve patients for many years to come.”

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

A market analysis showed a need for the Canyonville area and Edsen Donato and Jeff Wood filled it.

The partners decided to expand Riverside Physical Therapy that is headquartered in Grants Pass and open an office in Canyonville. They leased a 2,500 square foot building and recently opened a new office at 415 S. Main St. For now the business is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, but Donato explained that when a fitness area including an indoor above ground exercise pool was completed, hopefully by mid-December, the business will be open through the week.

Riverside Physical Therapy was first opened in 1998 in Grants Pass and now has branches in Cave Junction, Glendale and Canyonville.

The business number is (541) 476-2502.

A SPECIAL FOR SOLDIERS

U.S. veterans and active duty military personnel will be treated special on Wednesday, Veteran's Day, at all Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in Oregon.

From lunchtime through the dinner hours for dining in, the special guests will receive a complimentary entree from a list of seven. The guests will also be served “on the house” the traditional sides that come with each entrée.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar has more than 1,900 locations nationwide. The Roseburg Applebee's restaurant is located at 2755 N.W. Edenbower Blvd.

A DRAWING FOR SEATS, FOOD AND PARADE

Brix 527 restaurant in downtown Roseburg is giving veterans a chance to win some prime seats for their own parade, and breakfast.

The business is holding a drawing for local veterans, and the winner will receive breakfast for four on Wednesday, Veterans Day, at a window table, offering an up close view of the Roseburg Veterans Day Parade.

Brix 527 is located at 527 S.E. Jackson St.

“I think it could mean a lot to the right person,” said Brix 527 owner Misty Russell, who already reserves the restaurant's other window table for a group of veterans' widows.

The drawing, which is only open to veterans or those submitting an entry for a veteran, will take place Tuesday. Veterans can enter the drawing at the restaurant during business hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Information: 440-4901.

BIZZ BUZZ

“I feel fortunate to be in an industry that is somewhat recession proof. Lucky for me people are still eating. I'm not going to lie about this, I haven't sold a lobster for a while and I am processing more confiscated game animals than ever before. These being signs of the times, I would say we have a long, long, long ways to go.”

Dan McNeary, owner

Nickabobs Meat, Fish and Wine Deli

Roseburg

• On Biz is not an endorsement, only an introduction to businesses in the community. Reporter Craig Reed can be reached at 957-4210 or creed@nrtoday.com.