Biz Beat 2-5-2015

Tiny Tavern at 394 Blair Blvd. in the Whit has reopened under new management after being shut down by the Lane County Health Department Dec. 5. The self-described dive bar, restaurant and live music venue had a Superbowl party Sunday, and we’re hearing good things about the new, improved and more sanitary Tiny’s. It was missed while it was closed. See our Letters this week. 

Here’s one for the books, literally. The Eugene Veg Education Network (EVEN) is looking to hire a vegan accountant or CPA, though apparently it’s OK to be just a vegetarian. Don’t bother to apply if you have bacon breath. The nonprofit can be found at eugeneveg.org. Meaty breath is probably OK for another job coming up: executive director of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Dan Egan will step down from that position on June 5 and a search will begin soon. And for all you unemployed journalists out there: We hear the Portland Mercury is looking for a full-time news reporter. News Editor Denis Theriault has been nabbed by The Oregonian

Cascadia Wildlands is going through some changes as Executive Director Bob Ferris is stepping down to a consultant role and Josh Laughlin is taking over as interim ED. Ferris has been involved in nonprofit management for 25 years and says in an email this week that he wants to “spend more time on programs, campaigns and issues rather than day-to-day operations.” He will be consulting with organizations around the country and his “Green Dreams” blog can be found at wkly.ws/1xc. Cascadia Wildlands is a major voice in protecting threatened wild places and wildlife in the Cascadia bioregion from Oregon to Alaska. 

The closing of Hartwick’s Kitchen & Store was announced in late January and now we’re hearing some details. The store at 5th Street Public Market began its clearance sale Jan. 30 and the liquidation is expected to go on through February. Current Hartwick’s employees are being offered continued employment elsewhere in the market, according to market General Manager Casey Barrett. And “plans are in the works for an overhaul of the Market’s east side, with a mix of new tenants and existing businesses,” Barrett says.

Kore Kombucha opened its very own kombucha taphouse Nov. 28 at 543 Blair Ave. Curtis Shimmin of Kore says the taphouse also serves Brew Dr. Kombucha and Humm Kombucha, as well as other fermented drinks, including goat milk kefir, golden milk and carbonated coconut water. Shimmin says the menu is still in development, but will consist entirely of fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut and fermented veggies. A fermented foods breakfast is also in the works — stay tuned to Kore Kombucha’s Facebook page for more info.

Ready for another reason to embrace the Eugene-is-the-land-of-hippies stereotype? It even involves the Grateful Dead. Turns out that Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Delaware partners with a local company, Grizzlies Granola and Nuts, to produce American Beauty, an imperial pale ale brewed with organic Eugene granola, paying tribute to the timeless Grateful Dead. So if you happen to be in Delaware, drop by Dogfish Brewery for a taste of Eugene.

Chinese Dish is now occupying what once was Ring of Fire at the corner of Chambers and West 11th. The restaurant offers a “hot pot” menu, which means meats and veggies of your choice are brought to your table raw, and you cook them in a savory or spicy broth. You end up taking home a pot of soup for leftovers. Less adventuresome customers can also order prepared dishes off a menu. We hear the first few days after it opened were a bit rough, but the place has potential. Apparently, hot pot fans have previously had to go to Portland to get their fix. 

Kirk Design and Construction of Corvallis has launched KirkBath, a line of pre-designed, fast, affordable and stylish bathroom remodels. Thousands of design configurations are possible, featuring products from Kohler, Toto, Grohe, Caesarstone, DalTile, Marmoleum and other brands.  The KirkBath service area covers Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, Salem and surrounding areas.  Showroom hours are noon to 6 pm Thursdays and Fridays at 728 NW 4th St., Corvallis. Call Ashley Marcus at 728-0776.

More free workshops for small business owners and managers are coming at the Eugene Public Library. Next is “Successful Internet Searching” from 10 am to noon Saturday, Feb. 7. Basic internet skills required. Call 682-5450 or visit Eugene-or.gov/library. “One-On-One Job Hunting Help” will be Feb. 12 and Feb. 26. Call 682-5450 to make an appointment. “The Pitfalls of Owning a Food Business” will be at 6 pm Thursday, Feb. 12, also at the library