Biz Beat 6-11-2015

The Eugene Mini Maker Faire is happening from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday, June 13, at the Science Factory at 2300 Leo Harris Parkway on the edge of Alton Baker Park. Featured will be dozens of booths and exhibits focusing on the art, technique and technology of making things, from 3D printing to rocketry to weaving. The event is geared to kids and adults and costs $3 for Science Factory members, $6 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at eugenemakerfaire.com. 

Last week we wrote about Tiny Tavern closing but named the wrong individual as the outgoing business owner. Josh Connelly tells us he’s the guy who was posting updates on Facebook (search for “The Tiny Tavern”) and Jevon Peck was the previous owner. “Yes, I am looking for either a new place, or to open a small neighborhood bar like Tinys,” Connelly tells us. “My services are also available to help ‘rescue’ or resurrect bars and taverns that need help.” Connelly says the building and property have not been sold, just the tavern part. As we go to press, there are rumors that someone associated with Agate Alley Bistro might be the tavern’s next owner.

The historic Eugene Hotel at 222 E. Broadway is celebrating its 90th year with a series of events Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14. The hotel lobby will come alive at noon Saturday with live music, followed by high tea in the dining room and music and dancing upstairs. Tours and exhibits are planned. Sunday events begin at 2 pm. The old hotel with its Spanish-flavored design catered to many dignitaries and special events for 60 years and is now independent living apartments for those 58 and older. 

Wild Birds Unlimited at 25th and Willamette is doing something different as a promotion and a public service. Owners Barbara and Tom Gleason are offering free morning bird walks in June and July at locations to be announced, led by local bird experts. The walks, limited to 15 people, will go from 7 to 9 am and the dates are June 17 and 21, and July 1 and 12. Call 844-1788 or email eugenewbu@gmail.com.  

We wrote about an open house at IEQ Technology in this column last week, but the information provided to us by the Springfield Chamber had the wrong month. The open house will be at 3 pm Friday, July 10, at 220 N. Fifth St. in Springfield. See ieqtechnology.com.

Cornbread Café at 7th and Polk is trying to raise money to build a year-round patio, say owners Sheree Walters and Kristy Hammond. The café serving “vegan comfort food” started off as a food cart in 2010 and found a storefront the next year in the building that once housed Deb’s Diner. Find a link to the fundraising campaign at cornbreadcafe.com.

The Eugene Jewish Film Festival has a new home. At 3 pm Sunday, June 14, the monthly film festival will be showing The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground at the David Minor Theater, 180 E. 5th Ave. Tickets are $5 and a discussion will follow. “This change allows for more variety of films as well as a larger theater,” says festival organizer Shmuel Shalom Cohen of Jewish Events Willamette-valley. “Hopefully we will not have to turn people away as we have in the past.” More information at JewishEventsWillamette-valley.org.

We see the historic Wolf Creek Inn off I-5 north of Grants Pass will be closed for renovations this season and the Oregon Parks System is looking for a new concessionaire to run the place next year. Margaret and Mark Quist are leaving after five years. Email wolfcreek.inn@oregon.gov.