Longtime jewelry business expands.

Byline: RETAIL NOTEBOOK By Joe Mosley The Register-Guard

Beaudet Jewelry - a husband-and-wife operation in Eugene since 1976 - has remodeled and expanded its store in Eugene's Southtowne Shoppes, more than doubling its overall square footage and nearly tripling its display space.

"Our jewelry business has rapidly been growing and it was time for us to substantially increase our showroom space," owner Charles Beaudet said in announcing the renovation.

Charles and Georgiann Beaudet got their start in downtown Eugene, but have had their store at the Southtowne Shoppes at 28th Avenue and Oak Street since 1978. The business has grown steadily since 1986, and had its biggest spurt ever last year, Charles Beaudet said.

"We are always cautious when it comes to our business, but we offer quality in our jewelry and repair, and value in our diamonds, and this serves us well during even trying times," he said.

The recent building project was valued at about $116,000, according to building permit records filed with the Eugene Department of Planning & Development. The architect was Harriet Cherry of Eugene's PIVOT Architects, and the contractor was Essex General Construction of Eugene.

The remodeled store features a long, curved wall, along with free-standing showcases that allow employees to interact with customers, and energy-efficient LED lighting, according to Beaudet.

Branching out

The Lending Outlet - a division of SELCO Community Credit Union that was created two years ago as an alternative to high-cost finance companies - has opened a new branch at Eugene's Marketplace West shopping center, at West 11th Avenue and Seneca Street.

The original Lending Outlet opened in 2006 in the Olympic Building, on Olympic Street just east of Mohawk Boulevard in Springfield.

Manager Kristi Lahtinen said in announcing the new location that The Lending Outlet concept has appealed to a wider range of customers than expected - from "platinum/A credit" to "lower scores."

"Consumers tell us they want speed and ease and convenience," Lahtinen said. "What we now know is they really want someone to take the time to listen and answer their questions."

The Lending Outlet offers a variety of personal, vehicle and home equity loans at a wide range of rates that are determined by collateral, loan-to-value percentage, repayment period, credit score, past credit performance, loan amount, and relationship with SELCO, according to the firm's Web site (www.lendingoutlet.org).

For example, its interest rates for used-vehicle loans range from 5.29 percent to 17.93 percent, according to the Web site. Those are the same rates that are quoted for similar loans at SELCO's Web site (www.selco.org).

Stitching place

Our Sewing Room, a work space for people who lack equipment for their sewing projects or who want to improve their sewing skills, has opened at 448 Main St., in downtown Springfield.

The business, owned and managed by Mary Jo and Don Moloney, offers the use of sewing machines, sergers, cutting tables and pressing areas. Individuals or groups may pay to sew by the hour or by the day.

Classroom space also is available, and classes on sewing, needlework and crafts will eventually be offered, the Moloneys said.

The Sewing Room is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.