stores combine

Two long-time Cathlamet businesses have moved in together to share expenses and support each other.

Kari Claussen has vacated her former quarters in the Hotel Cathlamet building to move across the street into Holly Longtain's Golden Ladder building.

A newly added wall separates the two businesses. Claussen's floral business has the front quarters, and Longtain's flooring and home decorating business is in the back rooms.

"It's exciting for Holly and me to be back together," Claussen said this week. "Holly invited me to move over four months ago. At first, I didn't want to, especially because I had a walk-cooler for my flowers, but after thinking about it, I realized we could help each other out."

The pair worked together several years ago, with Claussen working for Longtain.

Both said the move will help them re-focus their businesses in face of the down economy.

"When the economy exploded a few years ago, we added many new lines," Longtain said. Now that the economy has slowed, she'll reduce the number of product lines she offers but she'll continue to offer all the decorating services she has traditionally offered. She'll also have tanning equipment, which had been sold to Claussen in the past.

Claussen said she won't carry the gifts and furnishings she had in her old store.

"I'll focus on bouquets, fresh flowers, arrangements and plants," she said.

The pair hope the combination will attract more retail customers for each.

One other benefit for the pair, who have often watched each other's stores while one went on errands, they won't have to run back and forth across Main Street.

"We won't need the crosswalk!" Longtain said.