Page 62 - Portrait 2011.qxd

— (503-380-4487 / healnw.com), Rubi Sullivan.

“When my dog Bob had arthritis, I wanted the best,” Rubi Sullivan said. Now the certified and insured mobile animal massage practitioner helps pets throughout the area. While most visits are post surgical or for animals with arthritis, she sees dogs on their birthday or on Valentine’s Day. And she offers individual home setting pet massage classes.

Most clients are dogs, but she has treated cats and even rats. “Cats are trickier,” she said to the surprise of no one. “Most people know if their cat will enjoy it. Sometimes it’s more an educa-tional session where I show the owner what they can do when the cat comes out from under the sofa.”

According to Sullivan, massage reduces inflammation, aids relaxation and relieves chronic pain. “Zane, a Newfoundland mix, had a knee sur-gery,” she said. “My work was getting the range of motion back and making sure he wasn’t overcompensating on his back leg. One older collie had arthritis and was in considerable pain. His mom e-mailed to say she saw a big difference after I left. Later, she sent a card and thanked me.”

ike N Hike owner Kevin Chudy looked for two years before locating his bicycle shop on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. At the time he was a young, successful Bike N’ Hike manager in Corvallis. He was sent on a mission to find a suitable site to expand the business into Portland’s larger market. He and co-owner Al French landed retail space beside their competitor. They moved next door to Kissler’s Cyclery.

Kissler’s was long established, and Chudy understood that by nestling in next to the attractive cycle shop, he would get walk-in business. It took them less than an hour to lease the space.

When business owners invest in a dream, often they must find the right loca-tion for their business.

In April 1984 the cycle shop’s north-ward expansion began. It’s now a part of the local riding and racing communities. The plan to neighbor a competitor fur-thered Bike N Hikes’ advancement. “The formula works,” says Chudy, now 56. “The biking community is strong here. Bike paths are close by, and curb cuts make this location accessible and conven-ient. Test rides are safe and easy in the nice-sized parking lot.”

With six stores in Oregon, the Beaverton location is the smallest. Outlasting Kissler’s, whose doors closed about two years ago after being in busi-ness since 1938, the Beaverton Bike N’ Hike continues to be a good location. “It’s easy to get around this communi-ty. There are plenty of adjacent trails. It’s a good neighborhood. There are lots of fam-ilies — suburban and kid cyclists,” says Chudy who bought out French in 2004. Growing along with the area’s popula-tion, Chudy opened other shops around the area including one in Vancouver. The motivated cyclist learned he was compet-ing with himself. Customers from Washington would stop in for informa-tion, test rides and professional advice, then head to Portland’s Grand Avenue location to make their purchase and save on taxes. The northernmost shop closed after three years. The visible Grand store, near outdoor businesses Next Experience and Andy and Bax Sporting Goods, remains successful.

“Our goal is long-term. It’s difficult to find suitable, affordable buildings,” says Chudy. “Growing with the community, we’ve added to our women-specific prod-ucts and offer free service clinics.”

Having a visible presence is valuable. Getting noticed by passersby is a good investment.

Raccoon Lodge and Brew Pub owner Art Larrance has a few theories about good business locations. His personal decision was based on a popular business-man’s real estate savvy. He noted where Fred Meyer was placing his supermarkets and bought his own property near one. “Fred Meyer was a shrewd real estate man,” Larrance quips. “Buying up proper-ty in the heart of neighborhoods was a wise move.”

About a block away from the Raleigh Hills Fred Meyer, he owns a big, deep lot where raccoons once foraged.

Larrance, who has been involved in

Oregon’s craft beer industry since its inception, resides on Sylvan Hill and knows Southwest Portland and under-stands its markets. Eager to open his own family restaurant and brew pub, he chose a piece of property near his competition. His restaurant is in Portland on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. Competitors Dublin Pub, McMenamins’ Raleigh Hills Pub and McCormick’s Fish House and Bar are neighbors, but this brew maker offers an atmosphere suitable for children, diverse dishes and a variety of premium housecrafted beers and ales. The microbrewery, Cascade Brewing, established by Larrance, is on the first floor, just below his restaurant.

“I paid more for the property so I could build closer to the sidewalk,” says the co-founder of the Oregon Brewers Festival. “I wanted to make the best use of the plot.”