In 1981, after the Bunker Hill Mine announced the shut down of the mine, smelter and zinc plant, many people were forced to leave the Silver Valley because of the lack of jobs. Bunker Hill employed over 2700 employees and was the largest industry in the Silver Valley. The repercussions were felt through Coeur d’ Alene, Spokane and Seattle. The valley was a sad, sad place to be with the loss of friends and families that had lived here for generations.
Brenda and Larry Stinson both worked at the smelter. Brenda for 11 years and Larry for 12. Brenda had sewn the high heat coats and coveralls that were used at the company by the workers that faced the hot furnaces used to melt down the lead, silver and zinc at the smelter. Larry worked all over the plant as a labor pool supervisor, underground in the mine, fill in at the garage and had a good basic knowledge of how the plant operated. This background was invaluable for the future business they both eventually created. Brenda and a friend, Jean Miles, actually started the business in 1979 in hopes that they could stay at home and make bags for the local mines. They were going to be housewives and raise their children.
The EPA changed all of that with their decision to shut down the complex because of the pollution emitted by the smelter and zinc plant operations. After the closure of the plant, Jean left with her husband Glen and they moved to a job in Nevada. Brenda and Larry decided to stay in the valley and try to make a go of the new business.
An interesting note: The employment office when Brenda went in to tell them what she was doing, said that if she was trying to start a business she could not collect unemployment. She was extremely upset as they had not made any money at all and there were no jobs to be had. She then told them that Larry was helping her start the business and they took his unemployment away as well! Brenda is well known for her big mouth and impetuous nature. (I know her very well)
Life was extremely difficult for the first six years of the business. Learning to run and manage a business was all new to them.
To help make ends meet they lived off the farm by selling vegetables, hay and raising their own animals. It would have been fun if it hadn’t all been so stressful. They worked out of the house for three full years, pretending they were a factory. When the telephone rang, the oldest daughter would take the youngest upstairs and read to her while Brenda answered the phone as the secretary and then passed it on to Larry. (Brenda had found that the companies they dealt with would communicate with Larry. They did not want to talk to a woman. Things have changed since that time and she has earned a reputation for knowing exactly what clothing is needed for their particular applications.
The only problems that arose with their system was that they shared a party line with a crusty old woman with a very foul mouth. And once in a while the rooster would crow while they were talking. Explain that to someone in New York!
When they got an order they worked from 7:00 am to midnight just to get it out and to keep the customer happy.
The first building they rented was in Pinehurst and the first employee was Ellavon Burcham. She was a neighbor up the road and a very good seamstress.
Today Silver Needle employs 45 people. They have been in business for over 30 years. In October, 2006, we purchased a large steel building on three acres, remodeled the building completely into a factory that makes protective clothing of all kinds. We have focused our goals towards protection of electrical workers and natural gas flash suits and of course molten metals. We make vests, coveralls, pants, shirts, hoods, gloves, boot covers, coats, and much much more. We make our own patterns, our own designs, market, cut and sew all of here in Kellogg. We are famous for our quality, honesty and spectacular service. You now know the reason why……. We know what it’s like to be hungry. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to read this.
Safest Regards,
Brenda
President/Co-owner Silver Needle, Inc.
