Local businesses face ownership shifts

The people of Wahkiakum rely on the small businesses in the area for everyday needs unless they’d like to make the drive to Longview or Astoria. However, businesses in rural towns like Cathlamet face unique challenges compared to big cities. A recent PR Newswire article for rural businesses in “underserved populations” states that the most significant hurdles impacting startup and growth lie in three primary areas: access to labor, connectivity (internet service, updated technology), and capital. The article also states, “Rural entrepreneurs are more likely than non-rural entrepreneurs to say they're impacted by higher costs of doing business (rent, utilities, gas), as well as higher financing expenses (higher interest rates, costs to borrow).”

According to a SBA Office of Advocacy report, 84 percent of establishments in a rural county are small businesses. The restaurant industry is no exception and faces these same barriers. Several Cathlamet restaurants have been going through changes recently. Businesses such as JJ’s Pizza & Mohr, The Spar, and Julie’s Java have changed hands in the last several months.

Previously known as Pizza Mill, JJ’s Pizza & Mohr (140 3rd St.) was bought by co-owner Michael Mohr, his daughter, Jordyn Mohr, and her fiance, Micah Jordan. The previous owners were commuting from Longview/Kelso each day, and the time and expense of the drive didn’t make sense for them anymore. Mohr spent several years in California and longed to be closer to his children in Cathlamet. After selling his home and seeing that the Pizza Mill was for sale, he saw the perfect opportunity to be closer to his kids, “I asked my daughter if she wanted to come into business with me,” said Mohr. “None of us ever owned a business, but I thought, how hard could it be to keep it going… and now we’re all working together.” With the three of them sharing the workload, everyone plays an essential role in keeping the business running. “I’m my own boss now, and hopefully, someday, my kids can take it over, and I can retire,” said Mohr, who couldn’t be happier about seeing his daughter every day. JJ’s Pizza & Mohr has some changes in the works, with a few items taken off the menu and others simply renamed. The trio plans to incorporate some desserts soon and implement online ordering.

Backroadz, a small burger joint in Cathlamet run by sisters Tarryn Blouin and Ashlee Houghlind, is currently up for sale. “We are going on 7 years,” said Houghlind. “We wanted to work close to home.” Houghlind and Blouin saw that the building, located at 245 WA-4 in Cathlamet, had been empty for nearly six months. The sisters called the landowner, and from there, they got their restaurant up and running. Houghlind has enjoyed working with her sister, “It’s great,” she said. “We’ve become very close over the last few years. We wanted to spend more family time, so here we are.” When asked why they’ve decided to sell, Houghlind said, “We’re ready for the next chapters in our lives, but we will be here until the sale happens.” The sisters have families, and Blouin’s youngest will graduate soon and plans to move. Until then, the business is “running as usual until the sale happens.” At the moment, there are no prospective buyers.

This is the first installment in what The Wahkiakum County Eagle hopes will be an ongoing series regarding businesses in the community. Stay tuned.