One could say Scott Lukens took a flying leap when he launched his one-of-a-kind retail chain in 1991. But the idea was firmly grounded on market research, said Lukens, 54, a Clark County businessman who started Backyard Bird Shop in a tiny cottage in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Pacific Northwest bird lovers quickly embraced the store’s focus on feeding backyard wildlife. Lukens said he was confident the idea would catch on.

“The support was amazing,” he said.

Lukens now operates seven stores throughout the Vancouver-Portland metro area, most recently opening a shop in the Columbia Crossing retail complex in east Vancouver. Selling bird seed and food for other wildlife, along with birdhouses, feeders and garden accessories, the retail chain’s combined sales totaled $3.5 million in 2005. Lukens expected to end 2006 with an 8 percent increase.

Not bad for a business that grew from his bird-watching hobby and desire to leave a career that involved mandatory travel.

thecolumbianb2b.com