la pine rocks! - La Pine Chamber of Commerce

YOUR
“LA PINE ROCKS! ” CHAMBER CONNECTION
“We are the hub of the business community, promoting commerce and tourism making La Pine a vibrant community to work, live and play!”
LAKERIDGE MARKETING
Owner: Ron Church • Manager: Riley Church
When did you found your Lakeridge Marketing Pine Cone business? “It started in 1993 in the Portland area. We
moved over here because this is where the pine cones are. (They package Ponderosa pine cones and specialty Sugar
pine cones in separate boxes.) By 1995, we were located in Bend. In 1996-1997, we found the big warehouse that
Neal Russell owned and I built this building in 2003.”
Who are the main players in your company, Ron Church? “My son, Riley manages the purchasing, crews and payroll
and I do all of the other aspects: sales and marketing.”
Why do you live and work here in South County? “Besides the fact that we have the sources for our products here, Riley
loves the out-of-doors, especially rock climbing and snow sports. I love to golf and there are lots of courses to choose
from. We operate the business from May to November so that leaves us plenty of time to enjoy our surroundings.”
What is the potential for growth in your particular business, Ron? “We can only get bigger! We are in over 20 large
grocery chains right now and 2500 plus floral shops, too. When we get a new customer, they usually order more the
next year. We were the first pine cone supplier and we have a credible business that can be counted on to deliver
products to our customers. No one sold these pine cones for Christmas and holidays before we sold them to a major
grocery chain in 1993. Even though there are other pine cone suppliers in the business now, we are still one of the
largest producers of this type of holiday product. (And customers can think about using the pine cones because
Lakeridge Marketing sprays the scented cones right before they are shipped and the scent lasts three months!).
Riley and Ron Church
What do you two do to relax? “When we are not busy with the ‘season that goes into a crunch from September until we close in November’, I play golf and Riley loves snowboarding. Recently, Riley hurt
himself climbing rocks. He is sporting a pair of crutches! But, he will be all healed up and ready to hit the slopes when the snow flies."
Tell us something about yourself that no one knows about: “We have a special scent that we use for the pine cones. We bought the rights to the formula and it belongs to us and we have a constant supply
for the ingredients and we make sure that it is unique.” (I asked if they always smell like cinnamon when they leave at the end of the day. Both men said they don’t even really notice the aroma anymore.
They are used to it.). “The scent is designed to last for months.” (And it does!).
How are you involved in the community? “During the high season, we employ about 60 people. We are new Chamber members and we support the La Pine Rodeo.”
Any advice for community leaders? “Bring in more business! LIGI needs to bring more in. And buy local!”
Do you have any plans for the future? “Hang on baby!” (Referring to the recession).
Do you have any goals? “We want to be the best in the industry.”
With that, I took my sample bags of wonderful holiday cones out to the Teri-Mobile and sped off to write this story! Thanks for the gift of smell-o-vision for the season, Ron and Riley!
Pine Cone Plant on Russell Road in La Pine • e-mail: [email protected]
Sponsored by: KITC FM 106.5, WISE BUYS ADS & MORE
and the LA PINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
541.536.9771 • www.lapine.org
To learn more about radio sponsorship,
e-mail the sales department at [email protected]
or call the Chamber at 541.536.9771