It’s been a year of considerable transition for the Lozier family. Change is one of a very few certainties in in life. When Kent and Sandra Lozier’s son Chris first began contemplating moving back to Enterprise to take up the family business, he was ambivalent about what to do. Change can have that effect.

After all, Chris Lozier, was enjoying his life in Spokane, Washington, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in English from Whitworth University. He was enjoying his post-college work in landscape and was also enjoying freelance writing and editing on the side.

Ultimately, some health developments along with over-exhaustion led Lozier to revisit the idea of picking up the mantle of his parent’s storefront legacy and rightful place in the community. But that very human instinct to resist change hadn’t yet faded away.

“I had so many inroads into writing so I decided that if there was ever a time to write full time it would be now and so that’s what I did.” For about a year and a half Lozier lived the life of a budding writer.

“I was the assistant editor at ‘Artisan Spirit Magazine,’” Lozier said. He was enjoying the gig and it was germane to his English degree. But also, Lozier points out, “I learned a ton about business there that I now use every day at Napa.”

“I was learning a ton, having great experiences,” he said. “I wrote almost exclusively about drinks.” The process of brewing craft beers, ciders and distilled liquors became his specialty.

Ultimately, as it’s known to do, the resistance to change began to fade and last summer, 2018, Lozier married his wife Christine. We decided it was time to move back to Enterprise and “take over the family business.”

The couple will begin the process of purchasing his parents Enterprise Napa Auto Parts — Thompson Auto Supply franchise store from Lozier’s parents this year.

Lozier admits that it took his wife a little longer to get over her own resistance to this substantial life change than it did for Chris. Whereas Lozier grew up in Enterprise, Christine Lozier was moving to a new and unknown rural Oregon town from the larger and Spokane.

And not all of Lozier’s concerns over his changing life were immediately put to rest. For instance, even though he had experience working at a Napa Auto Parts while living in Spokane, the store his parents own is run very differently. The business is “more community focused here in a smaller local community.”

The nature of his work is entirely different as well. “In Spokane I was just a count man.” Now, not unlike his role editing “Artisan Spirit Magazine,” Lozier is learning more about the behind the scenes operations of the family business.

Fortunately for Lozier his prior experience in a management role eased the transition and to he and his wife’s satisfaction, Christine Lozier has plugged right into this new rural lifestyle. “She has a good job at Grain Growers and she’s fit in really well,” according to Lozier.

The couple has “found places to get plugged in where they didn’t even expect.” And perhaps most appealing to the Loziers is the substantial community involvement and the quality people they’ve been able to connect with.

“We’re really happy that we made the choice to move here,” Lozier admitted. “Spokane was a great community… there was a lot going on but we are really happy to be here.” And after years of lobbying for their son’s return, it should go without saying that Lozier’s folks are equally pleased.

So maybe change isn’t always as scary as we make it out to be. With an open mind and the right attitude, positive change can be a wonderful thing. And one day, Lozier’s anxieties from regarding change and a new life may truly evolve into tomorrow’s nostalgic memories.