The Downtown Bend Business Association announced 11 new businesses opening and the rate of occupancy for the end of the second quarter. Occupancy has climbed to 95 percent up from the end of the first quarter. The rate is based upon the number of leased retail/restaurant spaces in the downtown district.
“We are excited by the diverse group of new businesses and offerings that will really improve the mix downtown,” says DBBA Executive Director Chuck Arnold.
New businesses are open or opening soon on most every street downtown including Bond, Brooks, Minnesota, Oregon and Wall.
On the corner of Oregon and Bond will be OnPoint Credit Union (956 Bond). The community credit union is well established in the Portland area and will be opening the Downtown Bend office in August.
New offerings of coffee and spirits have replaced previous businesses on Brooks Street. In the charming house next to The Pine Tavern, Looney Bean Coffee (961 Brooks) has opened. Owner Brent Kennedy is a coffee expert and is anxiously waiting to serve you the perfect cup. The company based here in Bend also has outlets in Mexico and Mammoth Lakes, California. In the Breezeway, Mad Happy Lounge (850 Brooks) has opened replacing Bend Distillery.
Minnesota Avenue adds three new businesses. Bourbon Street Bar & Grill (5 Minnesota) will open in two weeks in the former Staccato space. The new venture created by Gavin McMichael of The Blacksmith will feature true Cajun seafood in a family friendly setting. Also on Minnesota will be Feather’s Edge (113 Minnesota). The unique gift store is relocating to Bend from Truckee, California. The store operates with a mantra of sustainability and offers handmade artisan items of metal, glass, wood and gifts for kids. Rounding out Minnesota is Tart (28 Minnesota) in the space formerly occupied by 28. The new French bistro offers lunch, dinner, dessert and fine cocktails.
Oregon Avenue welcomes two nonprofit organizations. Nature of Words (224 Oregon) producer of the annual literary event in Bend each fall and Common Table (150 Oregon) a farm to table restaurant focusing on quality affordable food accessible to all.
Wall Street adds three new businesses. The Blvd. (1000 Wall) is a new clothing boutique at the corner of Oregon and Wall. Volt (903 Wall) will focus on contemporary designs including lots of cutting edge technology products like L.E.D. lamps. Cherie Myrick Interiors (916 Wall-2nd Floor) is an interior design consulting firm.
