Economy & Business

Both the Lane County Farmers Market and the Eugene Holiday Market are remaining outdoors to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The idea is to create a safe, festive atmosphere where people can buy local.

Oregon’s unemployment rate fell once again in October. But the shutdown of some businesses due to the coronavirus could put the brakes on the rebound.

Restaurants are once again having to make a pivot away from in-person dining as they prepare for the two-week freeze ordered by Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group released their annual Trouble in Toyland report, week. Findings warn holiday shoppers of potential safety hazards for children.  

Whether it’s changes to travel plans or the size of gatherings, this year’s holiday season will be atypical for many people. Area farms and butchers have made a few changes in 2020, but there should be plenty of turkey and other locally-raised meat to gobble up this Thanksgiving.  

With the pandemic and natural disasters taking an economic toll, it’d be an understatement to say 2020 wasn’t a boom time for most business owners.  As the holiday retail season gets underway, hopes still run high in Lane County for the rest of the year.

Oregon-based Brew Dr. Tea Company, formerly known as Townshends, will be closing all their tea houses by the end of October. 

According to The National Human Activity Pattern, people spend nearly 90% of their lives inside buildings. Long before the novel coronavirus reached our shores, scientists have been studying how pathogens behave in the built environment. Places like homes, workplaces and schools. Now 8 months into a global pandemic, much of that research is being put to use- testing for the presence of viruses in occupied spaces-- in the hopes of stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Restaurants have been some of the hardest-hit businesses in the pandemic. In Lane County, the industry lost more than 1,600 jobs since March, according to a regional economist. We checked in with three restaurant owners in Eugene. 

The state is urging Oregonians who are rebuilding after this month’s wildfires to make sure any contractors they hire are properly licensed.

Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)--  who have also lost food because of the wildfires—may be eligible for replacement benefits.

The Broadway location of Cafe Yumm! in Eugene will be closing its doors for the final time on Friday, September 25. 

Eugene-area wine lovers worried about smoke tainting their local vineyards can rest easy. Experts say recent wildfires aren’t likely to affect the grapes.

Pre-pandemic, electric bikes, or E-bikes, were already one of the fastest growing sectors in the transportation industry. Now, with more people taking an interest in outdoor recreation, sales have skyrocketed globally. A new Eugene e-bike store is hoping to be a part of the trend, and the shift experts predict will be the future of commuting.

Gardening supply is one business that’s done well, and even blossomed, during the pandemic. Vegetable growers and landscapers both are spending more money this year. 

Businesses across Oregon are finding ways to cope with COVID-19 safety guidelines, which require masks indoors. Eugene Family YMCA adapted their group exercise classes by taking them outside.

Resilience after a disaster can mean re-building bridges or restoring power. But resilience can also mean restoring an economy. As part of our year-long series on resilience, KLCC’s Chris Lehman spoke with Gail Krumenauer, the state employment economist at the Oregon Employment Department.