Business icon

Mr. Runyan is a business icon in this community, and a strong anchor for the downtown business district. He's operated his friendly jewelry store at its location at 137 E. Jewett Blvd. since 1976. Prior to that, he operated out of a storefront in Bingen. His store there opened way back in 1954.

Now, at age 70, Mr. Runyan is selling the business and heading off to enjoy his free time. Yet even as he prepares to close his store, he has placed what he considers the interests of the citizens of White Salmon ahead of his own interests: He might have retired a lot sooner, he explained, but he held out until he could find a buyer who would maintain the storefront as a jewelry store.

"The community needs a jewelry store," he explained simply.

Mr. Runyan appears to be the kind of boss we'd all appreciate having. He's obviously loyal and supportive of his community and his employees. There doesn't seem to be quite enough of that kind of business leadership in this world any more, and it's refreshing to witness.

White Salmon has been fortunate to have a man like Paul Runyan working in the heart of downtown. For five decades, he's been here in the Bingen-White Salmon community. He has sold us our wedding rings, repaired our watches, and offered us advice on jewelry. And always with a proficient, friendly demeanor.

He's been a rock of stability here, weathering economic storms in different eras and holding on even as empty storefronts came and went around him.

It'll be a sad day when he locks his front door for the last time on Sept. 30, but he has sure earned a happy retirement.

Here's hoping Paul and his wife Barbara enjoy a wonderful time in their golden years.

JB