Greenlight COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS THE BEE's want ads are named Greenlight "Community Classifieds", to highlight additional reader and advertiser benefits. An important innovation is that classified ads placed in THE BEE may also be available at the new Greenlight Classified Internet website at the HotLink below! In addition, Greenlight Community Classifieds now offer the additional service of in-column photographs of vehicles and homes for sale. The photos can not only appear in THE BEE, but on the website as well. Greenlight Community Classifieds appear each month in THE BEE, and can also reach up to a half million additional readers by being published in other newspapers in the "Community Newspapers" group, including the weekly Clackamas Review, Oregon City News, Lake Oswego Review, and West Linn Tidings; the monthly Sherwood Gazette, and Southwest Community Connection; the twice-weekly Gresham Outlook and Portland Tribune; and up to seven other newspapers in the group. To get information or place your classified ad by phone, here's the number to call: 503/620-7355! Now, click on the button below, and read the Greenlight "Community Classifieds"!     INNER SOUTHEAST PORTLAND'S BUSINESS NEWS! Pat Mahoney, owner of Mike’s Auto Parts (his middle name is Mike), started the business in Woodstock, where he still lives. These days he works mostly in his Cedar Mill store, but recently THE BEE found him filling in for a vacationing employee at his Woodstock location. (Photo by Elizabeth Ussher Groff) At the start of Mike’s Auto Parts – there was a goat By ELIZABETH USSHER GROFF for THE BEE Anyone who has ever bought windshield wipers at Mike’s Auto Parts, at S.E. 52nd and Woodstock Boulevard, knows the value of employees who know what size is needed – and who cheerfully install them for free, sometimes in a minute or less. In friendly competition with his employees, Patrick Michael Mahoney, the owner of the store, prides himself on the record for the shortest time taken to change wipers for customers. More than forty years ago, when he was fifteen, Mahoney began learning the auto parts business when he worked for Tom Kreuder, whose automotive shop and gas station were located on the property now occupied by KeyBank (and the Woodstock Farmers Market, in season) on Woodstock Boulevard between S.E. 46th and 47th Avenues. Mahoney’s father called Kreuder a “master” in the automotive and parts business, which is how Mahoney learned the trade early and well. “I had a dream of buying the repair shop when the owner became elderly, but that didn’t work out,” he reflects today. When the property was sold, though, Mahoney managed to buy the auto parts inventory and started his own shop in the basement of his parents’ house. His father was ill, and his little store became a major source of financial support for his parents, two brothers and sister. At that time Mahoney was only twenty, but he was used to working for what he needed or wanted. “Our family was poor, and I always provided for myself.” In fact, he started working when he was ten, managing a paper route while attending Our Lady of Sorrows grade school. After a while, he managed to save enough money to move his small auto parts business out of his parents’ basement into a storefront at S.E. 53rd and Harold Street. He quickly gained a reputation for creative advertising. “My cousin had animals,” he explains, “and when we joked about ‘bucking high prices’, I had the idea to get one of his goats. I painted ‘Bucking High Prices’ on an old bed sheet, and draped it over the goat’s back, kind of like a saddle.” Mahoney then walked the goat every day for a month from the family house at S.E. 46th and Martins to the shop at S.E. 53rd and Harold. He says that walking a goat up and down Woodstock Boulevard and along 52nd Avenue was probably good publicity, and it certainly made people notice him. Forty years later and after a stint of ten years operating Mike’s Auto Parts at S.E. 44th and Woodstock (currently the Mickey Finns location), Mahoney today has two stores – the Woodstock one now located at 6004 S.E. 52nd Avenue, and another one in Cedar Mill, in Washington County. He says his dream of expanding his business beyond two stores was put to rest when he helped care for his autistic son, in a time when little was known about autism. His business uses his middle name, because when he registered in 1973 there was already someone with the registered business name of Pat’s Auto Parts. Mahoney defines his business success as being based on inventory that meets customer needs, prices that are competitive even with online and “big box” stores, and customer care that makes people want to come back. This year marks Mike’s Auto Parts’ 40th year in business – still “bucking high prices”, but without the goat. He continues to live in the Woodstock neighborhood, and recently celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary, by renewing his vows with wife Daniela. After a lifetime in the recorded music business, John Gregos sells off this stash of both popular and rare music. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Woodstock record mogul winds down his decades-old business By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE Although his “For What It’s Worth Records & Tapes” store was open in the Woodstock neighborhood for only six years, many long-time Portlanders have purchased recorded entertainment from the store’s proprietor, John Gregos, for longer the four decades. “It started in 1972, when a friend and I, working at a waterbed store in Milwaukie, asked the owner if we could bring in a rack of 8-Track tapes, cassettes, and albums to sell,” Gregos recalled, while tending shop at his temporary retail store in Happy Valley. “The owner said he wanted to keep his focus on being a waterbed store. But, records and tapes started selling so well, we eventually ended up buying a waterbed place and turned it into a music retail store.” Their business model grew until they had eleven stores, from Beaverton east to Gresham. A series of unfavorable retail leases and demanding property owners caused the chain to shrink down to the one store he opened in Woodstock in 2000, now the location of Pizza Roma on S.E. Woodstock Boulevard. “In 2005, I got my eviction notice and I was tired of doing retail,” Gregos told THE BEE. “I moved into a warehouse on S.E. Harney Road, and did a good international mail-order business.  That is, until the U.S. Postal Service doubled all the rates outside the United States. So a CD that cost six dollars to ship now cost 13.75 – pretty much ending those sales.” So, Gregos started his “liquidation sale” of about 30,000 albums – which was down to about 10,000 by the first of April. “We haven’t sold hardly any CDs – and we’ve got a lot of rare CDs. But the people [coming here] aren’t buying CDs – our customers seem to have an affection for vinyl.” Many customers came back, only to find that Gregos had uncovered a stash of “real rare vinyl – most of the rare stuff was in boxes below the racks.” The biggest demand has been for mainstream artists and groups. “They've been buying Elton John, Billy Joel, The Who, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Frank Zappa. Almost all the punk rock sold out the very first day we opened.  All of Bob Marley sold the next day. Jimi Hendrix sold out the third day.” He couldn’t help but think back, and reminisce about the musicians who came to visit his stores, including Jimmy Buffett. “We booked him at the old Euphoria [night club] before anyone had heard of him.” After he sells off his inventory, Gregos said he’ll not retire. “I’ll help friends with their businesses, doing sales.” INFO BOX: For What It's Worth Compact Discs Records & Tapes 11211 S.E. 82nd Avenue Happy Valley, OR 97086 503/653-3342 Baker, chef – and waitress – Mehri Gaspeed serves lunch to Jennifer, Syrah, and Dan Garbely at Mehri's Bakery & Café. (Photo by David F. Ashton) Mehri’s Bakery & Café celebrates 10 years on S.E. 52nd By DAVID F. ASHTON for THE BEE When Mehri Gaspeed saw the empty retail space on S.E. 52nd Avenue a decade ago, she decided it would make a good place to open a retail bakery. “At the time, I was acting as a wholesale bakery to restaurants, making wedding cakes, and catering at a commercial kitchen,” Mehri told THE BEE on eve of her 10th anniversary in the location. “Then, I saw the ‘For Lease’ sign on this building, and thought that this might be a good spot for me,” she added. “We started out as a bakery. Then people kept coming in wanting breakfast and lunch, until we finally changed the name, making it a bakery and a café!” Her shop is well known to cops, Mehri admitted – but not because it is a trouble spot. “They like it here; we make them feel welcome. They come in and have their coffee, and maybe a pastry. We like to have them; it helps us feel safe.” In addition to traditional breakfast and lunch fare, she’s also known for Persian cuisine. Even though making food and serving customers in the café keeps her busy, Mehri said, she still serves wholesale accounts. “And, I still do a lot of event catering, and wedding cakes.” Countless neighborhood events and charities have benefitted from Mehri’s generously; she provides snacks, pastries, and cookies for numerous events. “My community supports me, it’s only natural for me to help them,” she commented. But the best part for her in the past ten years has been,“We have wonderful customers!” INFO BOX Mehri's Bakery & Café 6923 S.E. 52nd Avenue 503/788-9600 www.mehris.com/ Katie Melton, Store Manager at Camp Hollyhock, a handmade women’s clothing store which just moved to a new location at 7007 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue, from quarters on S.E. 13th. (Photo by Rita A. Leonard) “Camp Hollyhock” moves to Milwaukie Avenue By RITA A. LEONARD for THE BEE “Camp Hollyhock”, a “handmade women’s clothing” store originally located in Sellwood, reopened in a new space in Westmoreland in March. “Our new site at 7007 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue is triple the size of our former store on S.E. 13th,” says Store Manager Katie Melton. “We have the same prices, but triple the inventory. It’s brighter here, too, and we’ve added a dressing room.” Melton and her mother, co-owner Marcee Melton, feature handmade clothing made from vintage fabrics for “baby girls, little girls, and women.” Marcee designs and sews all the items they sell, which feature pastel “girly” colors, lace, and Victorian accoutrements. “The former tenant here was ‘Coco Gets Dressed’, which moved next door to the south,” says Katie. “We have lots of new styles, such as bloomers and tops for women, and tops and skirts for little girls,” she adds. “Every item here is one-of-a-kind. We have jewelry made by new local designers, as well as our signature handmade shopping bags. Our small Home Section features vintage aprons made by Shelley Henkle from ‘Why Not?’” “Join us on Facebook, where you can find out about our special sales,” urges Katie. “We’re working hard to get ‘likes’ on Facebook so that more people can enjoy our unique styles. Camp Hollyhock is now open seven days a week – Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.” Travis Mason and Maureen Kennedy opened their new food cart Graffiti Sandwich in The Joinery's parking lot at 4804 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard. The couple, who live in Eastmoreland, serve traditional sandwiches with an unconventional twist. (Photo by Merry MacKinnon) Third food cart joins Woodstock’s Joinery cluster By MERRY MacKINNON for THE BEE So far, so good, for the latest food cart parked in The Joinery’s parking lot, at 4804 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard. Chef and Owner Travis Mason speaks enthusiastically about the public response to the recent opening of his “Graffiti Sandwich” food cart: “We have a lot of regulars. I see the same faces two to three times a week.” On a recent Saturday at lunchtime, a steady stream of customers kept Mason and his wife, Maureen Kennedy, busy preparing the popular Da Nang Pork Sandwich – along with other selections, such as the meat loaf sandwich, or that day’s special, chicken salad with caramelized onions, candied cashews, pickled celery relish, and curried mayo. “I like to take traditional sandwiches and put my own take on them,” Mason smiled. So, The Joinery Fine Furniture showroom now has three food carts in its parking lot. And one group of regulars for all three is composed of The Joinery’s employees, who get to decide early-on whether a potential on-site food cart suits them. In the case of Graffiti Sandwich, Mason recounted that when he applied for a food cart parking lease after driving by with his son enroute to swimming lessons at Mt. Scott Community Center, The Joinery’s owner, Marc Gaudin, told him the menu would have to first pass muster with his workers. Having gained the approval of The Joinery’s employees, Graffiti Sandwich opened on March 8, and serves customers from Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. “I think it’s the perfect location,” said Mason, who lives with his family in Eastmoreland. A food cart is a new venture for Mason, but he’s been cooking for twenty years, and once owned a restaurant that served sandwiches in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, called the Tartan Cafe. Later, he worked for Stumptown Coffee here in Portland. “Graffiti Sandwich is me getting back into cooking,” he remarked. Initially, Mason considered opening a restaurant – preferably one in the Woodstock neighborhood. But, after having trouble finding a restaurant site to lease, he settled on a food cart instead. “I wanted to do something close to Eastmoreland,” he said, adding that his son goes to school at nearby Lewis Elementary. “I think Woodstock has been overlooked, and we’re excited to be here.” But, what does graffiti have to do with sandwiches? Nothing, really. The couple just likes how the word graffiti sounds. And, since Kennedy lived in New York City, where she probably saw plenty of it, they also enjoy photographing graffiti art, too. BUSINESS BRIEFS   Kathy Stromvig, left, congratulates Kris Heiberg, upon her recent induction into the Southeast Portland Rotary Club. Sellwood businesswoman joins Southeast Portland Rotary. Kris Heiberg of Heiberg Garbage and Recycling is the latest new member to be inducted into the Southeast Portland Rotary Club; her sponsor was former Club President Kathy Stromvig. With the induction, the club has rebuilt its membership to 26, increasing the size of the club by over one third since last July. The club, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, meets on Monday noons (except national holidays) at the Eastmoreland Golf Course clubhouse – although the third Monday of each month currently is a “Happy Hour” meeting at 5:30 pm specifically to introduce Rotary to businesspeople and individuals in the community. Visitors are welcome at any meeting, however. For more information, go online to: www.SoutheastPortlandRotary.com “Meet and Greet” in Sellwood by SWBA on May 23. The Sellwood Westmoreland Business Alliance business association presents its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 23, 6-8 pm, at SMILE Station, S.E. 13th at Tenino (a block south of Tacoma Street), in Sellwood. It’s not only for members – all businesspeople in Sellwood and Westmoreland are invited to stop in for food, fun, prizes, and a chance to meet other businesspeople. Bring business cards (for a drawing) and brochures about your business to share. For more, visit SWBA online: www.SellwoodWestmoreland.com Two artists showcased at Sellwood gallery. Israel Hughes and Dr. Bob Pliny will be showing at the 12x16 Gallery all May. Hughes' exhibit will include painting, collage and assemblage. Most of Dr. Bob Pliny’s works will involve the use of recycled book pages under paint. The exhibition runs through June 2 at the 12x16 gallery, 8235 S.E. 13th Avenue. Number 5. Details online at: www.12x16gallery.com – or call 503/432-3513. Former Chantiques store now offering Estate Sales. Keith Miller, former proprietor of Brooklyn’s Chantiques furniture store and still owner of the building, writes, “Recently I signed a lease with Julie Evans and Jerry Leffel who will be running their Estate Sale store in the old Chantiques building at 3384 S.E. Milwaukie. Because I also had new inventory in Java, Indonesia, I decided to go ahead and ship these goods and allow Julie and Jerry to sell them in their new store. In addition to the Chantique furniture, Julie and Jerry also carry a great variety interesting inventory that is worth a look. They have been doing Estate Sales for a while now, and they always have some unusual and nice-quality items for sale at reasonable prices. The shop will be open Tuesdays – Sundays.” Two new agents at John L. Scott Woodstock office. John L. Scott Real Estate in Woodstock announces two new agents on its staff: Jordan McAllister and Josh Devine. McAllister’s real estate practice focuses on Portland’s suburbs with an emphasis on excellent schools, including Happy Valley and Southeast Portland, as well as clients relocating to Portland from out of state and first-time homebuyers. As for Devine, this is a career change from his previous decade teaching History and Social Studies in Portland. Josh has considerable knowledge of the Portland neighborhoods, especially Southeast and Northeast Portland having lived in Creston-Kenilworth, Sabin, and now the Woodstock neighborhood. Josh also has experience with Green construction, co-housing developments, and he believes in supporting new, sustainable models of real estate development, according to John L. Scott in Woodstock. Ms. Shell Tain helps us manage money by adjusting our attitudes about it. She’s the speaker on May 16 at the Sellwood monthly meeting of the Association of Home Businesses. “The GOSH Model” of easily budgeting your business. Ms. Shell Tain returns by popular request to the May meeting of the Association of Home Businesses. Almost everyone gets tangled in the budget/spending mess: How to make sense of it? How to actually do it? How to make it easy? All of that seems to just make our heads hurt. She’ll share what she calls “The G.O.S.H. Model”. She says, “Budgeting can be, and should be, about spending your money in ways that support your goals and dreams. No number crunching required. Really!” It’s all part of the May AHB meeting, Thursday evening, May 16, at SMILE Station, S.E. 13th at Tenino in Sellwood. Everyone welcome. $10 for members and first-time visitors – includes a buffet supper and a lot of networking. RSVP needed for meal preparation – call Eric at 503/232-2326, or go online: www.AHBoregon.org “Food Network” judge visits Sellwood business on May 7. Ms. Maneet Chauhan of TV’s Food Network will be at the Savory Spice Shop in Sellwood on Tueseday, May 7th, 10-:30-12:30 midday for a book-signing (and her book, “Flavors of My World”, will be available for sale; her co-author, Doug Singer, will also be there). The Savory Spice Shop is situated at 7857 S.E. 13th Avenue in Sellwood. Its telephone number is 503/928-3099. Woodstock artist releases 5th CD. Woodstock resident and jazz vocalist Anandi announces that she will release her fifth CD, “True To Love”, on May 25, 2013 at Ivories Jazz Lounge. Daughter of former RCA recording artist Rachel Faro and Portland Latin jazz drummer Nick Gefroh, Anandi began singing backing vocals for her mother in clubs and concert halls at the age of 12. She worked as a singer-songwriter for many years in Boston and NYC and received wide critical acclaim for her CD's of original work. In 2001 Anandi headed home to Oregon, focusing her talents on singing jazz. For her CD release at Ivories Jazz Lounge, Anandi will be joined by Randy Porter on piano, Bill Athens on bass (another Woodstock resident), Todd Strait on drums, and Tim Wilcox on sax. Ivories Jazz Lounge is located at 1435 N.W. Flanders in Portland’s Pearl District. Admission is $8, and the show begins at 8 pm. Sellwood author publishes book on Alaska. C.B. Bernard, today a resident of Sellwood but in the past a newspaper editor, magazine journalist, and ad copywriter, has just published “Chasing Alaska: A Portrait of the Last Frontier, Then and Now”, via Globe Pequot Press. His neighbor, noted local math instructor, and SMILE Board member, Bradley Heintz tells THE BEE: “My boys and I have listened to his riveting stories for years. Great stuff.  I think BEE readers would get a kick out of this fine book.” It has been named one of the Top 10 Travel Books for 2013 by Publishers Weekly. Woodstock consignment boutique celebrates first year. “Remedies”, a resale consignment boutique for women’s and men’s clothing and accessories at 5627 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard, opened in April of last year, and is celebrating its first anniversary with an Arts and Crafts Outdoor Market on Sunday, May 26th, 10 am-3 pm. The market will be held in front of the building and in the east parking lot, accompanied by live music and door prizes. The outdoor crafts market will then continue during the spring and summer each last Sunday of the month, 10-3 pm, according to owner Cristy Landers. Anyone interested in signing up to have a table or booth at the market can call Cristy at 503/804-9844. She adds that new summer hours for Remedies are Tuesday-Friday 11 am-7 pm, weekends noon to 5 pm. New staff addition at Cypress in Westmoreland. Cypress Beauty & Wellness, at 1616 S.E. Bybee Boulevard, announces that Monica Psomas, LMT, has joined its team of wellness practitioners. She remarks, “The style of my massage consists of an overall relaxing experience, integrating a variety of massage modalities, such as Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, and deep tissue.” Monica graduated from the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage in 2009. She also specializes in body wraps and scrubs. For more, go online to: www.cypresswellbeing.com Rose City Veterinary Hospital offers free classes. Rose City Veterinary, on S.E. Powell Boulevard, is offering classes on pet care open to the public – each taught by a Portland veterinary community professional with a special focus in their respective class topic. Dog-oriented courses are offered at 7 pm starting on May 2, on consecutive Thursdays. Kitten Kindergarten classes are also offered, providing kittens and owners the fundamentals and skills necessary to live a long, healthy, and happy life together; this course is a series of two classes held on consecutive Tuesdays at 7 pm (either May 14th and 21st, or June 4th and 11th). Classes are free and open to the public, and RSVPs are encouraged, as seating is limited. To reserve your space, please complete Rose City Vet’s online submission form: www.rosecityvet.com/forms/spring-class-registration Jade Teahouse in Sellwood showcases photographers. April Eklund at the Jade Bistro, Teahouse, and Patisserie at 7912 S.E. 13th Avenue reports that she will be presenting an exhibition of work by John Eklund, an Oregon-based time-lapse photographer, and Kiana Rose, an emerging young nature photographer, all May. The Jade Teahouse is open Mondays through Saturdays 11 am till 9 pm. “Landlord Study Hall” spotlights “inspections and turnovers”. In the monthly “Landlord Study Hall” this month, on May 8, the subject is “inspections and turnovers”. These seminars are a project of Woodstock realtor Kathryn King and colleagues, 6:30 to 8 pm at the Parish Hall of Our Lady of Sorrows, S.E. 52nd at Woodstock Boulevard, and are free to “unlicensed individuals”, but an RSVP is required: Call 503/772-8825. Principal Broker Ann Gibbons New broker in Windermere’s Westmoreland office. Brian and Joan Allen, owners of Windermere/Cronin & Caplan Realty Group, Inc., have announced the addition of Principal Broker Ann Gibbons to its Westmoreland office on S.E. Bybee Boulevard, across from the Sellwood-Moreland Post Office. Sellwood resident publishes astrology book. Sellwood resident and astrologer Rhea Wolf reports that she has just published a new book, “The Light That Changes: The Moon in Astrology, Stories and Time”. The book will be available starting May 15 from Amazon.com and local retailers. A book release party will be held June 14, 7:30-9:30 pm, at “Be Space”, 211 S.E. 11th Avenue. “Urban Waxx” celebrates first year on Division Street. “Urban Waxx” is a local chain, and currently has three locations – in Northwest Portland, Tanasbourne, and at S.E. 31st and S.E. Division Street. It calls itself “Portland’s favorite spot to get smooth”. In May, the company tells THE BEE, it is celebrating its first anniversary at the Division location. For more information on the local, sociable, committed, low-pressure leads and referrals group, and its members, click on the ad above!  Thanks for visiting THE BEE online! Check back for the latest from the neighborhoods in Southeast Portland, and don't miss the helpful HotLinks on the bottom of the "Community" page! CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO PAGE ONE