Newberg Notices | June 17, 2025

Saints’ Hill Church Announces Plans for Former Le Okay Space

NEWBERG, Ore. — The former Le Okay storefront at 510 E. First St. is being transformed into office space for Saints’ Hill Church, with plans underway to create a dedicated public prayer room in the back of the building.

Saints’ Hill Church administration, which holds the lease on the building, confirmed that remodeling is set to begin this month and will include updates to both the front and rear portions of the property.

The storefront was previously home to Le Okay Juice Shop, which closed in December 2024 after just over a year in business. Members of the church’s staff owned Le Okay Juice Shop.

The rear half of the space—formerly used as the church’s office—will become the Newberg Prayer Room, a public gathering space for individual and communal Christian prayer according to the Newberg Prayer Room website. Saints’ Hill is spearheading the effort and hopes to raise $30,000 for construction, including sound equipment, custom furnishings, and building modifications to open up the room for greater use.

The prayer room is expected to open late summer 2025 and will host both individual quiet prayer and scheduled worship-led sessions throughout the week. The space will be open to all Christian faith communities in Newberg, according to the website.

Basic information is available at newbergprayerroom.com, with a more interactive site planned once the remodel is complete.

Benjamin Rd. Closure to OR 99W Now Permanent

NEWBERG, Ore. — The connection between Benjamin Road and Highway 99W is now permanently closed, Yamhill County officials confirmed this week.

Originally slated to reopen briefly after underground stormwater work was completed in late May, the closure has now been made final due to construction delays and updated coordination with the contractor. 

According to County Engineering Manager Greg Haffner, unforeseen conditions—such as buried concrete from a previous highway alignment—delayed the temporary closure phase. With only one week scheduled between that work and the planned permanent shutdown, the county agreed to advance the timeline and proceed directly to full closure.

The closure is part of infrastructure work tied to the Crestview Greens housing development, a 110-unit project by Westwood Homes LLC located just east of Highway 99W near Providence Newberg Medical Center. In addition to the removal of Benjamin Road access, the project includes a new stormwater system and an extended East Jory Street connection, which will serve as one of two new access points to the development.

Plans to close Benjamin Road have been in the works for several years, stemming from safety concerns related to the spacing and design of nearby intersections. Engineering studies and Oregon Department of Transportation guidelines both supported removing highway access as traffic in the area increases.

Concrete at the old highway entrance will be removed to eliminate confusion. Drivers accessing the area should use East Jory Street or Springbrook Road instead.

Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of July. 

Stoller Wine Group Acquires Elouan, Expanding National Reach and Oregon Roots

DAYTON, Ore. — Stoller Wine Group, based in Dayton, has acquired Elouan, a nationally popular Oregon Pinot Noir brand, from California-based Copper Cane Wine & Provisions.

The move marks a significant expansion for Stoller, growing its production to 300,000 cases annually and strengthening its national distribution footprint. Company leaders say the addition of Elouan positions Stoller as a major player in the Oregon wine scene with increased visibility across the country.

“Elouan is the No. 3 selling Pinot Noir from Oregon across the country, and we are excited about how it will enhance our overall portfolio,” said Stoller Wine Group President Gary Mortensen. “We are excited to welcome this wonderful brand and its loyal fans into our ecosystem and, rightfully, make it an Oregon icon by producing it here in the state.”

Elouan was created by fifth-generation Napa Valley winemaker Joseph Wagner, whose company, Copper Cane, launched the brand as a fruit-forward take on Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Wagner sourced grapes from multiple Oregon regions to create bold, approachable wines aimed at broad appeal, according to the brand’s website.

With the acquisition, Elouan’s production will shift to Oregon from California under Stoller’s stewardship. The brand joins a growing family of labels that includes Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem Winery, Chemistry, History, and Stoller Swing.

Stoller Wine Group says Elouan’s transition under their leadership reflects their ongoing commitment to crafting wines that express Oregon’s diverse landscapes, with a focus on quality, sustainability, and national reach.