By Michele Smith
The Times
Blue Mountain Station Experiencing 'Entrepreneurial Churn'
Mary's Candies and Rey's Roast will move into new homes as their businesses expand
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Regina Weldert (right), owner of Rey's Roast, visits with a customer at her Blue Mountain Station roasting facility. Weldert will open a new coffee shop this weekend on Dayton's Main Street, in the former Jacci's Yarn Shop location.
DAYTON-In his report to the Port of Columbia commissioners at their meeting last week, Economic Development Coordinator Brad McMasters talked about several changes at the Blue Mountain Station – changes Port manager Jennie Dickinson characterized as "entrepreneurial churn".
Mary's Candies is poised for growth, McMasters said.
Because Suzi Tasker is closing Aardvark Granola on May 31 to enjoy more time with her family, and attend to her health, Mary's Candies will be moving into the 1,100 ft. space formerly occupied by Tasker, leaving their former 550 sq. ft. space for another potential business, he said.
McMasters told the commissioners that Regina Weldert, owner of Rey's Roast, has decided to move her retail coffee business downtown in order to attract more foot traffic, but she will continue to roast coffee beans at Blue Mountain Station, and continue to sell her products from the onsite co-op owned by Artisan Food Market.
McMasters said the Port is working with a developer, Big Four Construction, on Phase II of the food park. Big Four plans to build a second 6,000 sq. ft. building on the Blue Mountain Station site. McMasters said that when finished, the building will have four tenant bays, with 12 to 14-foot overhead doors, and will be finished to suit.
"A building with larger spaces will help with our current demand, and with continued recruitment," he added.
There is an existing Columbia County business looking to expand their production into the new facility, he said.
The food park has a twenty-year development agreement in place with Columbia County in which permitted and accessory uses are varied, but which emphasize food and health.
Currently, processing and retail are the focus, but there is a place for any number of businesses which could fit the property, according to Port managers.
For further information about the Blue Mountain Station contact the Port of Columbia at (509) 382-2577 or by email at jennie@portofcolumbia.org., or email Brad McMasters at brad@portofcolumbia.org.
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