Hazel's Tavern
Astoria Business of the Month, February 2012
"My family owned stock in a local bank for years, and instilled that sense of community in me," said Bob Knutsen, owner of Hazel's Tavern in Astoria, and Knutsen Insurance in Astoria and Gearhart. "When that bank eventually sold to an organization outside the local community, I was excited to learn that Steve Ferber and Joe Schulte had plans to organize a new community bank right here in Clatsop County. I was one of the initial investors in Clatsop Community Bank," he added.
Bob's investment in the local community extends to his own businesses as well. With partners Jeff Canessa and Scott Seppa, Bob owns Knutsen Insurance, and represents the third generation of Knutsen ownership. While the insurance business keeps him busy, Bob admits, "I always wanted to own a bar." Read more
Hazel's Tavern has a long history in Astoria – decades, in fact – though it went through several changes of name and ownership over the years. When its most recent incarnation shuttered after just a few months of operation, Bob stepped in and reopened it under the name of the original establishment, Hazel's Tavern. He operates the business with his son, John. "We wanted a place where people could come and have a nice time," he said. "And they do."
Valhalla Cross Fitness School of Combat
Seaside Business of the Month, February 2012
"Everyone has been really good to me at Clatsop Community Bank," said Ira Evansen, owner of Valhalla Cross Fitness School of Combat in Seaside. "I'm always going in with questions, and they just walk me through it," he explained.
Evansen opened the fitness school in the summer of 2011. "I know several of the owners of Clatsop Community Bank – one being the grandfather of the business partner who helped me open the school," Ira said. "He told us that Clatsop Community Bank is where we needed to be doing business, and I've been really happy there," he added.
When asked about the importance of doing business locally, Ira said, "Absolutely it is important – especially in a small community." Read more
Valhalla offers cross-fit training (including gymnastics, Olympic lifting, cardio and strongman workouts), kickboxing, Jujitsu and martial arts, and features the only custom boxing ring in the area. "We prepare people for any situation," Ira said, "and we build competitive athletes." The school offers programs for adults from 18 to 60, with morning, daytime and evening classes.
Caffeination Corporation
Astoria Business of the Month, January 2012
"Our customers make it a priority to do business locally, and so do we," said Nancy Montgomery, co-owner of Caffeination Corporation (aka Columbia River Coffee Roaster) in Astoria.
Tim Hurd, founder of the company, initiated the switch to Clatsop Community Bank. "Our previous bank grew bigger…and Tim believes in small businesses working with other small businesses," Nancy explained. "The staff at Clatsop Community Bank is always ready and always amenable to us. They keep an eye on our large transactions and have been consistently willing to do whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly," she added. "We're really grateful." Read more
Columbia River Coffee Roaster distributes freshly roasted coffee beans along the northern Oregon coast and Long Beach peninsula. The company also distributes to accounts in Longview and Portland, and provides mail order delivery to retail and wholesale customers across the United States. It was founded in 1992 and is the largest roaster by volume on the northern Oregon coast. Nancy and Tim work with Jon Reimer (operations manager), David, Bob and Bobbi to serve about 90 wholesale accounts.
In 2008, after 16 years in business, the company bought and renovated the historic Finnish Meat Market in Uniontown. A cozy retail coffee shop was opened in the front of the building in order to showcase the Roaster's product. In 2009, this was spun off as a separate company, Three Cups Coffee House, owned and operated by former employees of Columbia River Coffee Roaster, and remains a steadily growing account of its parent company.
Seaside Aquarium
Seaside Business of the Month, January 2012
"We moved our banking relationship to Clatsop Community Bank shortly after it opened," said Keith Chandler, general manager of the Seaside Aquarium. "We came for the people," he said. "I know several of the Clatsop Community Bank board members, and knew several of the bank's employees when they worked at other institutions," he added.
Keith noted that the aquarium does not hold any loans at the bank, but when he needed a mortgage for his own home, he chose to work with Bob Woodford at Clatsop Community Bank. "They are just great – helpful and friendly," he said. "And I love the fresh baked cookies on Fridays. That's the day everyone wants to go with me to the bank," he laughed. Read more
The Seaside Aquarium was opened in 1937, and is one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast. The attraction is open year 'round and features seals, octopus, and various other sea creatures, along with a touch basin. The aquarium participates in several public awareness programs and works with the Marine Mammal Stranding network to aid stranded marine mammals. The aquarium will celebrate its 75th anniversary on May 25, 2012.
FFA Alumni Astoria Chapter
Astoria Business of the Month, December 2011
Tim Clark, the first president of Astoria's FFA (Future Farmers of America) Alumni Chapter, had been banking personally with Clatsop Community Bank and was happy with his experience there. "When the alumni chapter was ready to open a bank account here in Astoria, Tim recommended that we go with Clatsop Community Bank," said Jeanette Sampson, vice-president of the chapter.
"We've been really happy with the bank and how they've treated us," added Matt Carlson, the chapter's current president.
"It's never a big deal to get things done," added Susan Murren, the chapter treasurer. "If the FFA kids need to come in and conduct business, a phone call from me to the bank staff is all that it takes," she said. Read more
Many FFA organizations have a local alumni chapter to help support it. Astoria's alumni chapter has been up and running for almost four years. Alumni members mentor FFA students and raise funds to help send students to conferences and competitions. "We do this for the kids – it is so important for them to have activities like this, Susan said. "And it's not all about farming," she added. FFA students are learning in a variety of agricultural and industrial settings, and pick up other life skills that are not necessarily taught in the classroom.
Jeanette added that the youth who participate in various competitions throughout the year, including public speaking, parliamentary procedures, judging and oral reasons, to name just a few, will benefit from these experiences throughout their lives, no matter what field of employment they pursue in the future.
Coastal Eye Care
Seaside Business of the Month, December 2011
"We had been unhappy with our previous bank, and decided to move to Clatsop Community Bank," said Andrea Thorsen of Coastal Eye Care in Seaside. "We have known Bob Woodford (Clatsop Community Bank's mortgage banker) for years," she added.
One of Andrea's banking challenges was the fact that she and her husband, Dr. Darren Thorsen, own practices in two states, Oregon and Washington, and there was no bank with branches in all three communities where the practices are located.
"Clatsop Community Bank solved that problem with their Remote Capture service (for deposits from your desktop)," Andrea said. "We've been with Clatsop Community Bank for several months now, and the staff has bent over backwards to serve us. Mindy and Derith have been particularly helpful," she added. "Plus, they don't charge us for small services like other banks do. I love Clatsop Community Bank!" she exclaimed. Read more
Dr. Darren and Andrea Thorsen bought their first optometry practice about 16 years ago in Long Beach, Washington. In 2003, they bought another practice in Seaside, Oregon, and later, a practice in Astoria, Oregon. Coastal Eye Care serves clients in Pacific County, Washington, Clatsop County, Oregon, and beyond. The staff and doctors at Coastal Eye Care are focused on customer service and product differentiation. They also offer state-of-the-art testing for glaucoma, cataracts, and other diseases affecting the eye, and partner with local doctors for referral surgeries.
