Inventor Melissa Ortega's The Sphinx Personal Lounger

By Author: Brain Dillon
Total Articles: 22
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Peshastin inventor Melissa Ortega has a new innovation that’ll take your breath away — about 12 breaths, actually.

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Her snazzy inflatable “personal lounger,” The Sphinx, lends support for lazy bums like us to relax comfortably (face up or face down) at the beach or in the backyard. It’s basically the key element of a lounge chair — the elevated back — that you blow up like a kid’s pool toy (using 12 breaths) to support the neck and upper body. It comes with a second inflatable piece — the media holder — on which you can prop your book (or newspaper or iPad) or tuck under your knees for additional support.

Other features include a strap to keep book pages from flapping, storage within the media holder for gear or chilled drinks, a drink holder and a vinyl coating that, Ortega says, feels like micro-suede. And — remember it’s inflatable? — The Sphinx floats, so it’ll support you while you paddle ’round the pool.

Inspiration for The Sphinx came ...
... from Ortega’s practice of relaxing and reading on the beach. “I always made two mounds of sand to prop up myself and my book,” she said. “That way I could read in comfort on my stomach.”

Ortega will be in Pittsburgh this week at INPEX, a huge invention trade exhibition, in hopes of finding a manufacturer, a distributor and maybe even financial backing for taking The Sphinx global. Until then, you can buy one of these babies online ($49.95) at Castle and Bay, Ortega’s company for “ergonomic products.” Go to castlebandbay.com.

Cashmere comes to Wenatchee

Two weeks ago, we featured here what might be called a retail renaissance on Cashmere’s Cottage Avenue. Four new stores on the main thoroughfare. This week, we realized that Cashmere’s growth isn’t stopping there — it’s coming to Wenatchee.

A trio of Cashmere businesses have open new locations in Wenatchee in recent months. Here’s the lowdown:

Weeds Beans — This drive-up espresso stand is a welcome offshoot of Weeds Cafe, the busy coffee shop in downtown Cashmere. The new brew spot is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily at 1854 N. Wenatchee Ave. and features the same good coffee, teas, Italian sodas and many of the goodies offered at the original site. 888-7050.

Doane’s Medical Equipment — Doane’s Valley Pharmacy, the venerable downtown Cashmere drugstore, has been in business for over 50 years and just couldn’t hold it in any longer. They had to expand, particularly their medical supply division to meet the growing needs of an aging population. Their new store at 1215 N. Wenatchee Ave. is chock-full of home medical equipment — wheelchairs, walkers, orthotics, hospital beds and accessories, bathroom safety equipment and tons more. Plus there’s home delivery of many items and an online catalog at doanesmedicalequipment.com. 888-0444.

Country Boy’s Southern Style BBQ — You’ll find the full story on Country Boy’s expansion into Wenatchee in today’s Business/Ag section. But here’s a tidbit to wet your whistle: The Wenatchee Valley’s top barbecue restaurant, serving in Cashmere for nearly 9 years, opened here just a few months ago at 1 Orondo St. in partnership with the new Badger Mountain Brewery. Beer and barbecue — great combo. 667-7427.

This weekly column is compiled from “Everyday Business,” a blog by World reporter Mike Irwin. You can reach him at 665-1179 or irwin@wenatcheeworld.com.

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