Longview businessman and Deep River resident Walter Deege is opening a branch of his Deege Insurance and Financial Services business in Cathlamet.

Deege and a work crew have been remodeling a house at 100 Main Street and will hold a grand opening next Monday.

In an interview this week, Deege said the new office is part of an expansion that will also include an office in Lewis County. The moves are intended to improve customer service.

"We have a large customer base in Wahkiakum County," Deege said. "I thought, instead of them coming to Longview, why don't I come to them?"

The office will have three personnel. They'll offer a variety of insurance products, and they'll soon be licensed as financial advisors.

Insurance products will include property and casualty insurance, commercial and personal policies, life insurance, employee benefit plans, and medical and health insurance.

"We are an independent agency," he said. "There are lots of companies we can work with to give the customer the best product for the dollar."

Deege said the office would be open till 7 p.m. on week nights to accommodate working customers, and people will be able to make appointments for weekends and also for home visits.

Deege and his wife, Jean, moved to Deep River in 1986. He has been in the insurance and financial service business in Longview and Kelso for 21 years.

The new Cathlamet office will have off-street parking and access for handicapped persons.