Biz Beat 4-10-2014

What’s happening with the LUCiA development on Friendly Street? Construction on the second row of townhouses is expected to wrap up by June 1 and one of the units has already been sold, says Mel Bankoff, who is in partnership with architect Jan Fillinger of studio-e architecture and  project manager Teri Reifer (see our 2013 story at wkly.ws/1q3). Bankoff says he plans to have open houses in mid-April. The third phase of residential development will begin in June with a completion target of March 2015. “We are actively looking for an anchor tenant for the commercial half of this mixed-use development,” Bankoff says. The commercial buildings could include a healthy foods restaurant, brew pub, small shops and offices that “will add needed vitality to the Friendly Street neighborhood,” he says. Once an anchor tenant is found, the commercial development could begin in late summer or early fall of this year. See studio-e-architecture.com or call 359-5513.

Saturday Market kicked off its 2014 season last weekend with big, enthusiastic crowds, despite the occasional drizzle. The market runs from 10 am to 5 pm every Saturday on the Park Blocks at 8th and Oak. In the Food Court this year, Toby’s Tofu Palace is taking a season off and Betty Rocker’s Street Kitchen will be taking its place. It has been several years since there has been a Food Court change. Betty Rocker’s offers “old-fashioned comfort food with a modern twist, using local, organic and natural food sources for their ingredients as much as possible.”

Lane County Farmers Market downtown has been going since February, but now gets a boost from the Saturday Market foot traffic across the street. More than 50 vendors are participating this year. Friends of the Farmers Market will be there this season, signing up and coordinating volunteers to help expand the market and protect local agriculture. Farmers Market runs from 9 am to 3 pm Saturdays. The Tuesday Farmers Market begins in May at the same location; the Thursday Farmers Market begins in June at 5th Street Public Market.

Greater Goods at 515 High St. is open for only limited days in April and is planning a community celebration from 4 to 6 pm Friday, April 11, and from noon to 6 pm Saturday, April 12. Live music, raffles, prizes and bargains on remaining inventory and fixtures. Find the event on Facebook.

We see Kombucha Mama is planning to change its name, but according to the company’s April newsletter, the new name and label will not be revealed for a couple more weeks. The Bend-based company was founded in 2009 and is now distributing in Eugene and beyond. “For us, it’s all about the vibe and energy,” reads the newsletter. “We want our look and feel to clearly represent who we are and what our product means to us.” See kombuchamama.com.

Leaders in Oregon’s beer and wine industry will be meeting at the UO Law School’s annual “Law of Beer and Wine” event from 6 to 9 pm Thursday, April 10, at the Law School, 1515 Agate St. Speakers will be from Stoel Rives, LLP, Sylvan Ridge Winery, Oregon Wine Lab, Ninkasi Brewing and Oakshire Brewing. Cost is $20 and includes dinner and samples of beer and wine. Register at law.uoregon.edu.

The nonprofit McKenzie River Trust held its second “McKenzie Memories” program  at Cozmic April 4 and raised more than $13,500 from ticket sales, donations, book sales and a live auction. A drift boat trip with Dave Helfrich went for $900. The evening included live music, stories from the Helfrich family’s 100 years on the river and recorded interviews by UO Environmental Leadership students. MRT has an April fundraising challenge of $30,000, “so we still have a ways to go,” says Liz Lawrence, MRT director of resources. “Critical operating dollars are hard to find, but this community is incredible for coming out to support the causes that they care about. And now we have a way for people to become members.” See mckenzieriver.org for information on upcoming bird and plant tours, including the annual Green Island Celebration June 28.

The nonprofit Arts & Business Alliance of Eugene will hold its annual Arts After Hours celebration at 5 pm Thursday, April 17, at Kendall Toyota, 373 Goodpasture Island Road. The event format is an informal trade show featuring local arts and cultural organizations. Admission is $8 for Chamber of Commerce members, $10 for non-members. Call 242-2364 for more information.