Hard Work for HardWoods
Vernonia planning commissioner puts his business where the plans are

Built to suit: Not only will Hardwood Originals (Daniel Brown shown above right) build something to suit you, they have re-built this building on Bridge Street to suite themselves. Participating in the project are Alan Hein Construction, Willamette Electric, Dan Fife, & Timothy Teele, among others.

On Friday, March 31, a groundbreaking was held in Vernonia, Oregon, that was significant on a number of levels. First, those involved in the business being built are originally from Vernonia and they have returned home to settle, and second, the move is a gesture on their part to demonstrate their optimism in the revitalization efforts for the town. Owners of the business are Daniel and Heidi Brown.
Dan Brown, a child of missionary parents, was actually born in Canada and grew up in Peru and South America, but he and his parents always considered Vernonia to be home, since it is the town where his mother was born. Dan returned to Vernonia to finish high school, and came back again after attending collate at Prairie Bible Institute.
Heidi Brown was born in Vernonia, and basically only left the area for work on her RN degree which she obtained from the Good Sam Program, now part of Linfield College.
The business, called Hardwood Originals, began in 1987. Dan started the business with a partner, "But he basically only stayed long enough to secure workroom space and print business cards," said Dan. The workroom space was located in Manning, Oregon, just off Highway 26. Dan thought that would be a temporary location, but he stayed there 12 years. After the 1996 flood in Vernonia, Dan began to consider moving his workroom to his home, but didn't do that, either. What did happen was that he began serving on the flood needs committee, instead. Then mayor Tony Hyde appointed him to the planning commission and one of his first experiences was to attend a Livable Oregon presentation in Seaside. The focus of the meeting was revitalization of downtown areas, and that planted the idea to move his business to downtown Vernonia, rather than into his home. That plan has come to fruition just four years later.
Hardwood Originals does high-end woodworking. They make custom cabinetry, desks, bedroom sets, office furniture and more. A large sale has been and entertainment center for $5,000, and coffee tables can range from $400 to $3,000. They will work with all kinds of wood and will build to order. Prior to opening in Vernonia, Dan would come to your home or office to measure and show you samples of his work. Now you may also stop by his new showroom and gallery in Vernonia. The back of the building will be workspace, the front Grey Dawn gallery, where you may see finished pieces as well as pottery, landscape photography and more from local artists.
Partial funding for the rebuilt 3,000 square foot project was obtained from the COL-PAC EDD, in the form of a rural re-lending program, 20 year, 7.5% fixed rate loan of $88,750. LCB

Hardwood Originals
Owners: Daniel and Heidi Brown
Address: 879 Bridge Street
Telephone: 503/429-2540
Cellular: 503/704-6991
Hours: 8a - 4:30p M - F
Gallery 10a - 4p Saturday as well

Back to LCB ONline Home Page

Back to LCB ONline May Cover Page

Your Monthly Coastal Business-to-Business News Magazine