Business roundup: County businesses report some changes
Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 16, 2010
- left: Mae McGinnis double-checks the flyer advertising her new address at 106 W. Main.<BR><BR>right: Ruby Lathrop is a new Wallowa County resident and the manager of Sterling Savings Bank
Two businesses in Wallowa County have changed hands, another got a new address and a remodel and one more got a new manager.
Brad Snook officially stepped into dad Larry’s big shoes at the Sports Corral in Joseph and the Snook family and employees are celebrating the event Saturday, June 19.
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Brad is cooking up his special “roundup beans” and hot dogs and there’ll be drawings for $100 certificates and other prizes. The Wallowa County Marine Patrol will also be around from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. doing free boat inspections “so people can get to the water and get right on it,” Brad said. Another fisher-friendly announcement Snook made is the return of the “Frisky Fly.” The popular lure is back in production and available at the Sports Corral.
Brad has been learning the retail trade with his dad ever since he graduated from high school. “I had enough schooling in 12 grades and wasn’t interested in college,” he said. “This (working at Sports Corral) has been my schooling and I’ve learned a lot from a Dad who has been in retail for more than 50 years.”
He’s “gotten some air” a few times by going out on building jobs with his friend Charlie Kissinger, but he’s not trying to dodge the family business. He loves it. “This is a great place to live and this is a good life,” he said. “You’re not just a number here. Customer service and treating each other like friends is important to us.”
Larry and Shirley Snook will still put in an appearance to keep up with friends/customers, Brad said. “I’ll still be the lawnmower and Pearl Sturm is still the dishwasher,” he joked.
Another passage of the baton took place in the Jannuzzi family this month. Nick Jannuzzi took over the auto, truck and car repair business at his dad’s DJ’s Repair and U-Haul on Golf Course Road in Enterprise as of June 1. A new business name reflecting the change will be forthcoming.
Mechanic work is in the family, Nick’s dad, DJ, has been a mechanic professionally for 26 years and Nick has grown up tearing down racecars, trucks and passenger cars.
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“I have grease for breakfast,” joked Nick. “I grew up doing this and I love it.”
Nick is a graduate of the Lewis/Clark State College professional automotive program and has his NATEF certification in every classification. He’ll have his ASE certifications by September. The shop is still located on Golf Course Road and is still the place where you rent a U-Haul, but the car shop business is entirely Nick’s now. He’ll do anything from oil changes to complete engine teardowns, he says, and will call out for a mobile repair, too.
For information: 541-398-1402.
It’s official. The Chieftain revealed the planned move of the Enterprise Liquor Store to new digs at 106 W. Main Street in Enterprise some months ago – and longtime agent Mae McGinnis was not amused by the early disclosure.
But this time we have her blessing to announce that the new store location opens on June 21.
McGinnis has been agent for the Enterprise store (beginning as partner with her late husband, Pat) for 36 years and was in the old location for “nine years to the day,” she said.
The new location is being refurbished.
A new face with some old connections can be seen at Sterling Bank in Enterprise.
Ruby Lathrop, wife of Enterprise native Scott Lathrop, has taken over as branch manager as of June 7.
The Lathrops have been living in Milton-Freewater where Scott ranched and Ruby worked as a loan officer for American West Bank until the new job in Enterprise opened up.
“We have been wanting to move back and when the job opportunity came we took it,” Ruby said. “I’m happy to be here and excited to be in Wallowa County as a resident.”
Scott and Ruby have purchased property in the valley.