Small business needs in western oregon? (Portland, Eugene: wood floors, for sale, transporting)

[esya]

Well if tourism is it, or low wages, then what services are missing? I noted that even though the coast depends on tourism, you have darned few coastal airports--and Portland is quite a ways away.

Someone noted they wanted restaurants. Are there few restaurants because no one has the money to eat out? Because there is no locally grown food?

Where do locals shop? Are there bookstores, clothings stores, hardware stores?

I noted that a lot of homes for sale on the low end seemed to have a limited range of finish styles: carpet, wood paneling, plastic shower stalls, and wood stoves that burn "pellets". Is this due to the cost of transporting a bigger variety of goods? Or is it just that I was looking at lower cost houses to start? Because other areas of the country seem to have a greater variety of choice in home finish goods.....even at the "low" end.

Maybe my impression is wrong: if so, what am I not "seeing" in your towns? Do you do everything over the internet?

[Waterlily]

The resturants-Here in Coos Bay/North we are the most populated area on the coast and there are hardly any chain resturants. There's plenty of home cooking type of resturants.

Homes-Lots of wood was used in homes as it was a big timber area. Lots of wood floors too. There are limited styles as there are limited things to buy. That'll be changing as time goes on and once they put in the Home Depot.

Internet buying or where- Sometimes people go to Eugene a couple of times a year to buy things. Probably some folks buy online. The smaller towns on the coast would be more limited.

Airports-We have one here. I don't know if there is much demand for them in some of the small towns.

Shops- I can only say there's enough of them here for most uses.

[nocoldiron]

Oregon is sparsley populated,small towns with driving distance between them.Carpenters,electricians,plumbers are highly sought after-lots of building and remodeling.An ornate,wrought iron worker told me he bills at 170.00 per hour (Eugene).I live in the land of retiree's who wear sweats and walk the beaches,if I see a woman in a skirt,I think realtor!! Resturants and small shops fail here all the time.People here spend money on their homes,inside and out.I know a tree trimmer who is swamped with work.If you do quality work in any trade,you can be booked ahead for a year.I know a couple who spent 7000 for a wood floor for their living room,9000 for their entertainment center,ripped out their countertops because only granite will do, and they buy their furniture at flea markets and their clothes at WalMart.Antique's are big here.I sold a 1930 bedroom set I brought from MO to a dealer who thanked me like I had allowed her to adopt a child.Some businesses just live for the tourist trade in summer.It is an invasion.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by esya

...what services are missing? ...

I noted that a lot of homes for sale on the low end seemed to have a limited range of finish styles: carpet, wood paneling, plastic shower stalls, and wood stoves that burn "pellets". Is this due to the cost of transporting a bigger variety of goods? Or is it just that I was looking at lower cost houses to start? Because other areas of the country seem to have a greater variety of choice in home finish goods.....even at the "low" end....

the 'trades' are alive and well, and if you are good... you will be busy

regarding businesses.. adequate shops (they struggle in small towns) fixed costs are really hard on Brick and mortar; High Energy prices should help, (keep shoppers local) but... they also add to 'fixed costs' of operaters. Generally there is a pretty strong 'buy-it-local' ideal, but... as in the 'Pacific west coast social structure', few customers will 'die-on-the-sword' to keep you in business. (unlike 'union type' loyalty)

as far as eateries, big choice, and chains are not highly regarded outside of Megolopolis (pdx metro). Again, you need to be good, not just THINK you are good, which is tough for the 90%+ restaurant owners who fail. So sad they have to jam their 'ideas' down your throat, good home cooking is not the norm of the 'new breed'. They will 'customize' to their death. But, it is a very tough business, and discretionary income is going away in rural towns (more gas $$ spent to get to "walmart ")

Not sure where you get info on home construction, it can be pretty high quality, but due to current ease of selling (high growth) there are still plenty of 'corp' builders slapping up shanty towns. (temporarily) There are also some very nice custom homes and plenty of available materials. We built our last place for $40/ft with materials from Habitat for Humanity store, and the "rebuilding center". It was really nice, and custom too! (very unique... )

There is a more 'Craftsman' focus on other parts of the country, but PNW is transitioning. This was due to previous 'Cheap and plentiful land' available in PNW, (as well as readily available materials) quite unlike NE where there is a 200+ yr old town every 5 miles. In 20 more yrs, there will be much higher concentrations of smaller more quality homes that will be expected to last longer than a mobile home. Land is getting pricy.

IMHO the 'McMansions' and suburbia joints will be tough to get rid of (high energy costs and taxes, and smaller families)