Thirty-five Years at Gateway Real Estate on the Plaza

When Bruce and Pokii Roberts opened Gateway Real Estate (5 N. Main on the Plaza) in 1981, the timing couldn’t have been worse.

“Within six months, interest rates spiked to 17%,” Bruce said. “We had obtained a start-up loan from a local bank, and when the bank failed, the FDIC came to us and said, ‘We want our money.’ We didn’t have it. After years of negotiating and some excellent advice from now retired attorney Sam Davis, we worked our way through and survived … and eventually flourished.”

Bruce and Pokii met in tenth grade in Oakland, California. After high school, Bruce went to UC-Berkeley while Pokii worked the switchboard for AT&T and then a San Francisco law firm. They moved to Ashland in 1971, and Bruce was sports editor at the Daily Tidings for seven years while Pokii worked part time at Rogue Valley Hospital and cared for their two young daughters.

In 1978 they both decided to go into real estate. Bruce worked for Leo Zupan at Van Vleet and Pokii for Bill Hampton at Hampton Real Estate. Then came the fateful decision in 1981 to start their own firm, and almost 35 years later, Gateway Real Estate still serves the Ashland community, enlisting the support of 21 different agents.

“We’re fortunate to have experienced agents, some of whom have been with us for upwards of 30 years,” Pokii said. “When you contact us, you’ll be dealing with professionals who are knowledgeable about the market and have the resources to turn to when questions or unfamiliar situations arise. Clients can expect to work with an agent who will listen and care about their individual situation. After all, we are all building lasting relationships.”

While any real estate company helps people buy and sell houses, it’s more involved than that, according to Bruce.

“Any of the following terms would apply: Educator, counselor, advocate, mediator, voice of reason, bearer of good and, sometimes, bad news, a shoulder to lean on, just to name a few of our roles,” he said. “Perhaps most importantly, we try our best to take as much negative emotion out of a real estate transaction as possible. That is often our biggest challenge.”

Through good and times and bad, including the 1997 New Year’s Flood in which three feet of mud inundated their office across from Lithia Park, Bruce and Pokii have loved their job.

“With our office location, we’ve seen a lot over the years,” Bruce said. “We never know who is going to walk through our door. We try to be respectful and welcoming to everyone. Years ago a gentleman walked in looking like he might have been down on his luck,” Bruce said. “The first thing he said was, ‘Where’s the can?’ He said he was looking to buy real estate and we just kind of glanced at each other. Well, after using the facilities, he sat down and talked with an agent and later that same day bought a 17-unit apartment complex.”

For more info or to talk with an agent, call 541-482-1040. You can also visit gateway-realestate.com.

Children’s Shopping at Small Change

Need the perfect holiday gift for a precious little one in your life? A last minute birthday gift for a child’s classmate? A few surprises to take home for your grandkids?

Find what you’re looking for at Small Change, a charming children’s store on the Plaza at 5 N. Main. Small Change has one-of-a-kind clothing, shoes, toys, and accessories for children, from newborns to age 12.

The staff at Small Change prides itself on helping you find just the right item for the little ones in your life, and enjoys enhancing your shopping experience with special touches.

“We are especially proud of our friendly customer service,” says store manager Connie Hartman, who has been with the store for nearly 30 years. “And we offer free gift wrap, so customers can stop by on their way to a birthday party or baby shower and be ready to go.”

The idea of owning a specialty children’s store was Edie Mattson’s. Edie was the mother of Peter Mattson, who moved here from California with his wife, Lin, in 1989. Peter and Lin wanted to raise their three children here and be closer to Peter’s parents.

Lin was reluctant to enter into the business, with no experience and three young children to care for. But her mother-in-law persisted, and Lin and Edie purchased Small Change in January 1990.

“Lin had no retail experience whatsoever,” Peter says, “but Edie really wanted to do it and she could be very persuasive.”

The store had been a second-hand shop since 1977. Lin and Edie transformed it over time into a children’s specialty store, specializing in unique items that can’t be found elsewhere. The shop offers clothing, shoes, toys and other accessories for all ages.

Lin and Edie ran the store together until Edie passed away in 1995; Lin continued the business with the help of Connie, until Lin died suddenly in 2010. Connie is now store manager and buyer, assisted by Jennifer Keck. Peter maintains a small construction business, but still has a hand in the shop.

“I serve as glorified bookkeeper, with Connie calling the shots,” he laughs. “I still maintain my low-key construction business, Peter Mattson Construction, as my main vocation.”

Connie is delighted to see the children of her original customers coming into the store. “Jennifer and I are now helping second generation shoppers,” she says.

For more info, the phone number is 541-488-1000. You can also like them on Facebook.

Hearsay Is Ashland’s Newest Restaurant

With a warm, inviting space that recreates the atmosphere and music of the 1930s, Hearsay is unlike any other restaurant in Southern Oregon. It is also one of Ashland’s newest restaurants, having opened in September 2015, and by all reviews, is fast becoming one of its finest dining experiences.
Owner Julie Gurwell and building owner/designer Craig Hudson collaborated closely on Hearsay’s look and feel.

“Partnering with my friend Craig on this venture was the opportunity of a lifetime,” says Julie. “As the architect of Hearsay’s interior, lighting and sound design, Craig has put his many talents to use to create a space that is sure to resonate with Ashland’s theatre-centric community.”

Craig is also resident set designer for the Oregon Cabaret Theater, and used his skill to create a unique dining space. Hearsay features warm, burnished colors and murals by Mexican artist Hortensia Bueno. Innovative lighting and sound help create a special experience. During the warmer months, diners can enjoy a lovely multi-level garden area.

The restaurant is at the corner of 1st and Hargadine, just below the Oregon Cabaret Theatre and a short walk from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

In this first business-owning venture, Julie is putting to use more than thirty years of managing customer experience in the arts and entertainment field. After Southern Oregon University, she held management positions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Britt Festival. She was general manager of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre from 2009 to 2015, during which time she transformed its restaurant into one of Ashland’s best dining experiences. In early 2015, she opened Hearsay, her first venture as a business owner.

Hearsay’s kitchen is led by Executive Chef William Shine II. Born and raised in Southern Oregon, William received his culinary training at The Art Institute of Seattle. He has worked at the Ashland Springs Hotel, the Jacksonville Inn, Omar’s, Chateaulin, and Macaroni’s/Martino’s, where he cooked for six years. In addition to a wide selection of small and large plates, Hearsay’s full bar features innovative and expertly mixed craft cocktails, and a robust wine selection.

“Customers will be treated to an experience they won’t soon forget,” Julie said. “We have a friendly, respectful staff, a warm and inviting space, great music, and fantastic food and cocktails.”

Hearsay is open every day except Tuesdays for lunch from 11 to 2 pm; dinner from 5 to 9 pm, with Happy Hour specials each day. Brunch is available on Sundays starting at 9am.

For more info, call 541-625-0505 or go to hearsayashland.com. You can also like them on Facebook.