Family Owned

Farmers markets beginning to open

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Farmers market season kicks off this month with Pasco welcoming vendors and patrons alike to its downtown mercado.

Aid available for Benton County businesses impacted by drought

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Small Business Administration is making low-interest loans available to Benton County businesses in response to the ongoing drought, but not all are eligible.

Soaring diesel prices hit WA family farms' bottom line

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The conflict in Iran has caused fuel prices to soar and Washington State farmers said it hits them hard when they are putting crops in the ground.

From White House gift shop to astronaut souvenirs – plus so many pickles – this Pasco business serves up the goodies

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Tri-Citians can get their fill of treats from JoJo’s Freeze Dried Goodies closer to home with the recent opening of its new storefront in Pasco, where they can choose from the wide variety of freeze-dried candies, gummies, cookie dough, ice cream sandwiches and bars, pickle chips, jalapeños, corn, as well as fun dips and gourmet peanut butter with cookie chunks intended to be eaten by the spoonful.

Longtime Richland furniture store calls it quits

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:54:28 -0400

A Richland furniture store is closing its doors this month after a final sale of all its current inventory. Once the store is cleared out, La-Z-Boy Inc. may open a showroom there as the company bought the 21,651-square-foot building for $3.5 million.

Inflation, rising costs force 100-year-old store’s closure

sara@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:14:59 -0400

A longtime downtown Kennewick business has shut its doors after 100 years, citing economic challenges.

Triplets expand Richland lash salon to include boutique

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 14:44:32 -0500

In addition to eyelash extensions, waxing and microblading, sisters offer training, online salesThree sisters believe owning and operating a business together is triple the fun.Meet Laura Geertsma, Leslie Miller-Stidham and Lisa Olson — identical triplets who have always worked together.From their first teen job at Subway to working nights at...

Family-owned bakery boasts loyal following in Pasco

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 13:00:40 -0500

Nine family members work between Viera’s two bakeriesEulogio Zarate considers himself a fan of weather reports.The manager of Viera’s Bakery said he can tell when business is good based on the weather.“We always get excited as a business when it’s raining or cold,” he said while standing behind the counter at...

Father, son run their separate insurance agencies as one business

kristina@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:56:28 -0500

Jerad Groth owns Pasco Allstate agency, his dad owns one in RichlandJerad Groth didn’t plan to follow his father’s footsteps into the insurance business.But he’s glad he did.The young entrepreneur bought an established Allstate agency in Pasco in 2011 at age 25.“Since 2011, we’ve nearly doubled our clientele and grown...

Business succession strategy: a gift followed by redemption

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:43:19 -0500

By Beau RuffLet’s assume that the patriarch of a local manufacturing business is ready to determine the best way to transition ownership of the business to his daughter. Beau Ruff,Cornerstone Wealth StrategiesThe patriarch, John, and his wife, Jane, are ready to hand over the reins and move into retirement. Still,...

Family-owned businesses find it’s relatively easy to work together

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:59:12 -0500

For many people, co-workers are an extension of family.They share stories around the water cooler, celebrate birthdays with office cupcakes or luncheons, step up to help when times get rough and exchange gifts around the holidays.But for some employees, like those working at Brutzman’s Office Solutions in Richland and Tippett...

Family-owned Kennewick construction company stays focused on service

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:53:10 -0500

Zak O’Brien knows how important it is to take care of customers.If you don’t do that, you’re not in business very long.O’Brien Construction Company Inc. has always understood this fact.It’s a reason the Kennewick company has been in business for close to 44 years.“My dad started this business in 1973,”...

Richland Bell Furniture spans three generations at same location

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:45:49 -0500

Three generations of the Carroll family have made Richland Bell Furniture the go-to Tri-City store for quality home furnishings and good old-fashioned customer service.[blockquote quote="Good customer service never goes out of style.." source="Pete Carroll, owner of Richland Bell Furniture" align="right" max_width="300px"]When Joe Carroll first opened his store 68 years ago,...

Strong leadership contributes to Richland company’s 41 years of success

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:34:35 -0500

Continuity can be a key to long-term success.It seems to be the case for Abadan Tri-Cities, a Richland company going strong since 1975.“It’s cross-generational. I’m the fourth owner,” said Tyler Best, president and general manager. “Each leader, from John Wells, the original owner, to Lee Pinnell, to my dad, has...