Milagro’s Fresh Mexican Opens

It's been a long and winding road for Susan and Steve Means the last few years. The two entrepreneurs met on a short airline flight back in the 1990s, and after getting married spent time in various locales around the country before deciding to return to Ashland.

Sue had moved to Ashland in 1982, was a midwife for seven years, and opened the Gourmet Coffee Cellar in 1989 before selling it to a friend in 1992. When she and Steve, who were both raised and educated with an entrepreneurial mindset, decided to open their own business in Ashland, they thought a "fast casual, Baja-type Mexican restaurant serving fresh, locally sourced and grown, natural and organic ingredients, with natural meats by Painted Hills and Draper Valley" was just the thing.

And thus Milagro's Fresh Mexican, located at 1465 Siskiyou (just down from Market of Choice), was born on August 6, 2012.

"The concept was originally mine," Sue said. "I met with some old friends here and together we developed the idea. The concept evolved through an objective market analysis. It was also derived because I love really good tacos. I wanted a place people could easily come to more than once a week and enjoy variations of great Mexican flavors."

At Milagro's, everything is made and served fresh for each customer, from burrito bowls and salads to tacos and burritos. All come with a multitude of variations to create fresh, unique and delicious southwest meals.

"The first word is fresh," Sue said. "We don't even have a microwave or freezer. We receive 3-5 cases of fresh tomatoes a day, and we make 40-50 pounds of fresh guacamole, oftentimes all organic. We have created soups and are now serving delicious, fresh breakfasts. We have as many organic items as possible, sourced locally. And we now have organic rice and beans. We also have local beer and wine on tap."

Sue is also a big fan of salsas, and they make five different ones fresh every day.

"Each one has a unique flavor, composition and temperature," she said. "We also make chips and taco shells homemade every morning. Our natural meats are marinated overnight and grilled daily. You can expect a reasonable price, especially if you're a young family, and you will be given servings that are more than enough."

Milagro's is open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch and dinner starting at 7am. For more information, call 541-708-0190 or go to milagrosashland.com

Some Amazing Finds at Tree House Oriental Antiques

When Angela Blackwell's two children went to college, it became clear to her that she would have to earn more money to keep up with the financial strain posed by the costs of higher education.

About that time, Blackwell's husband, Bruce, ran into John Hauschild, and the pair struck up a conversation. They knew each other from when Hauschild owned the Silk Road, a shop in Ashland that had specialized in Oriental carpets.

Their conversation led to the opening of the Tree House Oriental Antiques at 111 Talent Avenue in Talent next to Inti. The shop, for which Hauschild is consulting manager, features Chinese antiques, including armoires, cabinets, chairs, screen panels, hat boxes and even a 19th century carriage. It opened in late June 2012.

Angela—her Chinese name is Liu Ying—owns the shop which houses a plethora of antiques she has collected over the past 20 years. Born in Beijing, she immigrated to the United States in 1990.

Soon after, she went back to China and found a wedding bed she wanted to bring back. But while there, she thought that because she was already bringing back the bed, it would make sense to go ahead and fill up an entire container with Chinese antiques to ship to the U.S. And thus, she started a personal collection.

"I've always loved Chinese antiques," she said. "Even when (I lived) back in China."

About 1993 or 1994, Blackwell decided to try selling some of her collection. She traveled to Santa Fe, N.M., for a flea market and said she had "big success."

From there, she traveled back to China numerous times to buy more, and her collection grew. At that time, collectors from around the world had not yet begun to come to the country in its early stages of opening up to outsiders. She was able to collect pieces that were government-certified antiques.

"Demand for Chinese antiques has risen in recent years and the ability to find certified antiques has diminished," Angela said. "Reproductions have flourished, and we try to avoid reproductions at the Talent Tree House."

According to Hauschild, back when Angela and Bruce started importing to the U.S., the Chinese government allowed any piece less than 400 years old to leave the country. The government gives a certification stamp to pieces more than 100 years old that is on the bulk of the antiques at the store. Hauschild said most date back to the late 1800s and some to the early 1900s.

Both Hauschild and Blackwell say a large load of antiques is coming to the store in the next month or so. For that reason, they are attempting to make room in the Talent store, and to do this, they are going to cut prices.

"We're pretty much going to try to give people great deals so we can find new homes for as much of the Talent inventory as possible," Hauschild said.

Angela agreed. "We try to (give) a fair and affordable price," she said.

The store's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is (541) 535-3020.

Great Selection at Talent Liquor, Beer & Wine

Southern Oregonians familiar with Talent Hardware and Liquor knew that for the last 35 years, you could buy screwdrivers for your tool belt, and vodka for your screwdrivers all under one roof.

That all changed in March of 2012, when owners Ron, Laura and their son Ron Todd decided to discontinue hardware sales to focus on creating the Rogue Valley's premier liquor store, Talent Liquor, Beer and Wine (located at 101 N. Pacific Highway), featuring the largest selection of liquor in the entire state of Oregon.

Ron moved to Talent in 1977 from southern California after his father decided to retire as an electrician and relocate the family to Oregon to open a hardware store.

"I have been in the hardware and liquor business for 35 years," Ron said. "Closing the hardware part of the business let me focus on and expand the liquor to add more products to serve our customers better."

The Todds are putting the final touches on the remodel. They have made the aisles wider and opened up an entire wall of windows for more natural light, adding an amazing view of the mountains to the north. They've also added a walk-in Duck-decorated "Beer Cave."

Talent Liquor, Beer & Wine is now a complete liquor store, as mentioned before. They have the largest selection of liquor in the state, including ice-cold beer, wine, soda, drink mixes, tobacco products and convenience items. Soon they will also be carrying homebrew kits and supplies.

"We pride ourselves on a well-stocked, clean and organized store with a knowledgeable staff," Ron said. "Stop in and say 'hi' to my son Ron, Brandon, Ashley and Tom.

"I would also like to thank the customers who supported the hardware business," Ron continued. "There has been a hardware store in Talent for over 100 years. Hopefully, someone will open another one."

In addition to the great selection of liquor, beer and wine, the Todds offer free restaurant and bar delivery, and are happy to make special orders for that hard to find bottle.

Call 541-535-2522 for more information.

Holiday Open House at Scott's Rock & Gem

Scott's Rock & Gem, located at 1009 Talent Avenue in Talent, will host a Holiday Open House December 10-11 and 17-18 from 10am to 5pm all four days. Featured will be quality, unique gifts, crystals, minerals, and fossils at very fair prices. For more info, call 541-621-2558.

Jake Womack Joins Allen G. Drescher, PC

Kristopher "Jake" Womack has become an associate of the Ashland law firm of Allen G. Drescher, PC.

Allen has practiced law in Ashland since 1973. Before joining Allen in the practice of law, Jake worked as an attorney in Medford.

Allen's firm practices in the areas of business and real estate law, estate planning and elder law and general civil practice. For more information, call 541-482-4935

Rogue Frameworks Opens in the Shopping Center

Zach Ehlert, former owner of the Bohemia Gallery on A Street, has moved his business to the Ashland Shopping Center (1644 Ashland Street, #3) and has renamed it Rogue Frameworks.

The store provides quality custom picture framing and original arwork for sale. For more information, call 541-488-5227 or go to www.rogueframes.com.

Lithia Artisans' Holiday Market Now Open

The Lithia Artisans Guild is hosting its annual Holiday Market at the Briscoe Art Wing (265 N. Main) December 1-2, 7-8-9, 15-16 and 22-23. Hours are Saturday 10am-6pm and Sundays 11am-5pm.

Regional artists will be selling their wares, and local musicians will provide entertainment.

Farmers Insurance Helping ACCESS Food Share.

Farmers Insurance Group (450 Siskiyou, next to the Ashland Library), continues with its fundraising efforts for ACCESS Food Share.

Between now and December 14, you can bring three cans of food to the office and enter to win $100. For every three cans donated, your name will be entered into a drawing, and the winner will be announced on December 17.

The office consists of Paul Volz, Scott Spires and Susan Dallas. for more info, call 541-482-8463.