Business | The Daily Chronicle

Attorneys Peter Abbarno, Todd Rayan and Jakob McGhie talk to attendees of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event outside Althauser Rayan Abbarno LLC in Centralia on Thursday, June 15.

In Focus: Business After Hours Event at Althauser Rayan Abbarno LLC in Centralia

6/16/23

An MTT-154 autonomous vehicle pulls a wheelbarrow full of children past a sawmill, operated by Jake Dailey and Boone Bergsma, at Camp Singing Wind near Toledo on Sunday, June 11.

Toledo-Based Rake Force Receives $30,000 in Grants and Discounts for New Equipment

It’s been a busy year so far for the Rake Force, a veteran-owned regenerative agroforestry and conservation startup based in Toledo. What started as a small venture to provide … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/14/23

In Focus: Ribbon-Cutting Event Held at Saddle Bum in Centralia

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting event at downtown Centralia’s newest business, Saddle Bum Western Store, on Wednesday. The event came after the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/9/23

Chamber Business After Hours Event Set for Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Centralia

A Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event will be held at the downtown Centralia office of Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15 . The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/7/23

Shaved ice was served to Providence Swedish employees on Tuesday in these photos provided to The Chronicle. Volunteers gathered for a group photo with health care providers in this photo.

Providence, Community Members Take Time to Celebrate Caregivers

Hundreds of Providence Swedish caregivers in South Puget Sound enjoyed Kona Shaved Ice Tuesday in Centralia and Wednesday at St. Peter Hospital thanks to a continued sponsorship by I-5 Cars. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/7/23

FILE PHOTO — Pictured from left to right are Ashley Seely, Chehalis Outfitters footwear manager, Sue Barlow, from the Lewis County Food Bank Coalition, and Kelli Erb, Chehalis Outfitters store manager as the business made a donation to the food bank last year.

Public Invited to Help Chehalis Outfitters Celebrate Second Year of Business

Chehalis Outfitters is preparing to celebrate its second year of business since purchasing Sunbird Shopping Center in 2021. The celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17 in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/6/23

The Yard Birds structure and building are located at 2100 North National Avenue in Chehalis.

Applicant Eyes Demolishing Yard Birds Shopping Center for New 622,167-Square-Foot Warehouse

Death comes for us all, even if we’re perpetually guarded by giant wooden bird figurines. On Wednesday, the City of Chehalis’ Development Review Committee will hear a proposed … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 6/5/23

The Lewis County Mall at the former Sears location is seen Friday, June 2.

New Owners Working to Breathe New Life Into Lewis County Mall

Can you teach an old mall new tricks? Lee Ingrim and his son Spencer Ingrim think so. The local developers purchased the Lewis County Mall last fall with the aim to revamp the aging retail hub, … more

By Jesse Nance / For The Chronicle | 6/2/23

Awesome RV in Chehalis will host its Spring Into Summer RV Sales Event Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 4.

Spring Into Summer RV Sales Event Coming to Awesome RV in Chehalis

Spring Into Summer RV Sales Event Coming to Awesome RV in Chehalis By The Chronicle staff Awesome RV in Chehalis will host its Spring Into Summer RV Sales Event Friday, June 2, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/31/23

Grand Opening for Saddle Bum in Centralia Set for June 7

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for downtown Centralia’s newest business at noon on June 7, according to the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. Saddle … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/29/23

Michaela Voeller Takes Over State Farm Insurance Office in Chehalis

Michaela Voeller is taking over the State Farm Insurance office in Chehalis. The office will be located at 883 S. Market Blvd. where Gene Sanders was located. According to a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/29/23

Stout Coffee House is located at 517 Northwest Pacific Ave. in Chehalis.

Stout Coffee House Rises From Farm-Family Roots in Downtown Chehalis

A new coffeehouse in the heart of downtown Chehalis has sprung from one family’s deep-rooted farming tradition in Lewis County. Frank and Ann Stout needed office space for their … more

By Jesse Nance / For The Chronicle | 5/26/23

TwinStar, Northwest Community Credit Unions to Merge

Two Pacific Northwest-based credit unions say they’ve won final approval for their planned merger. TwinStar Credit Union, based in Lacey, will formally absorb Northwest Community Credit … more

By The Oregonian (TNS) | 5/19/23

Dr. Bill Conerly points to a presentation while giving an economic forecast for Lewis County during an event hosted by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County at The Juice Box in Centralia on Wednesday, May 17.

Economist Discusses Lewis County and National Trends During Forecast Event in Downtown Centralia

During a presentation at The Juice Box in Centralia hosted by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County on Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Bill Conerly gave a forecast of Lewis County’s economic outlook. … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 5/19/23

Jeannie Gluck, owner of Saddle Bum, smiles for a photo alongside Porter Fay, 2, and Natalie Gluck inside her Centralia business on Monday, May 8.

Saddle Bum Western Store Set to Open in Downtown Centralia

Looking for a new pair of Texas-made Fenoglio boots, to get your cowboy hat cleaned or maybe just a nice western shirt to wear out on weekends? The new Saddle Bum Western Store in downtown Centralia … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/17/23

Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Event Scheduled for May 18 at Centralia Point

Centralia Point Assisted Living & Memory Care is hosting the May Chamber Business After Hours event on Thursday, May 18, at 5 p.m. The event will take place at Centralia Point, located at 2010 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/15/23

Kelly Battersholl with Piece by Piece Farm, Rochester, provides guidance to a seasonal worker and aspiring young farmer.

Southwest Washington Co-Op to Offer Weekly Summer Produce Boxes Starting in June

The Southwest Washington Food Hub, a local cooperative with more than 20 farms, will be selling weekly boxes of fresh produce in the region starting on June 28, according to a co-op news release. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/15/23

Jim Wheeler dices up an heirloom tomato while he demonstrates how to prepare the watermelon and tomato salad on his new menu.

New Chef at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater Looks to Inspire Diners to Try Creative — and Delicious — Menu Options

Having just recently returned to Washington, moving to Oakville from Alaska — where he was a chef at several remote, exclusive lodges for eight years — chef Jim Wheeler is now at the helm … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/12/23

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com Volunteers with the Centralia Downtown Association pose for a photo Sunday during a cleanup event on Tower Avenue. Volunteers met Sunday morning at the Pine Street Plaza and then spent the day sweeping, cleaning cracks in the sidewalk and conducting other beautification in the downtown area.

Photo: Volunteers Spruce Up Downtown Centralia Sunday

5/8/23

Justin Ames, left, is seen together with his friend, Tim Filer, in this courtesy photo provided by Filer. The pair grew up and worked together, and now that Justin Ames has passed away, Filer is organizing a benefit dinner, auction and concert for Justin Ames' family.

Benefit Planned for Family of Beloved Local Chef Who Died at 38

Though he was known for having a gruff demeanor — as is standard for many chefs — those who were friends of Justin Ames loved him and were heartbroken to learn of the 38-year-old’s … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/8/23