After years of waiting for the right opportunity to come along, Johnson Bixby & Associates is finally headed to Main Street. The financial planning firm is moving from its current location at 1610 C Street in Vancouver, to a newly remodeled building at 1201 Main Street, across from Charlie’s Bistro.
Picking a new location was far from easy, according to owner Heidi Johnson Bixby, but not because the company didn’t know where it ultimately wanted to be.
“I’ve actually looked for something in downtown Vancouver for over a decade,” she said. “Given the size of our business, there are not many 5,000 square foot (or less) buildings that exist along with parking in that area.”
Having finally secured one of the few available spaces that fit her company’s needs, Johnson Bixby said the move is actually less about acquiring a larger space (the firm will gain about 1,300 square feet at its new location) than it is about continuing and contributing to the revitalization that’s happening along Main Street.
“We’re big on wanting to support the community,” said Johnson Bixby. “Knowing that I’m going to be in business as long as possible and having something permanent and participatory – not just in body, but in brick and mortar – is appealing to me.”
Of course, having a more highly visible location from which to do business doesn’t hurt either.
“The activity on Main Street is just ideal to be happening because we’re all interested in having it be a place people really want to come, shop and have a sense of community,” she said, adding that a lot of credit should be given to the work of Vancouver’s Downtown Association.
In addition to a new sign that signals the firm’s presence to those passing by the Main Street location, the company invested in a thorough remodel (the building was originally constructed for Washington Mutual).
Contracting local was also top of mind, according to Johnson Bixby, as financial planning firm utilized several Vancouver-based businesses to work on facility improvements – companies like Cobalt Designworks.
In conjunction with the new location, Johnson Bixby & Associates has also redesigned its website (www.johnsonbixby.com). Launching next month with the help of Gravitate Design Studio, Johnson Bixby said the new site is “much more current and enthusiastic.”
