(Dandelion Ranch owner Lisa Vandenbrink | by Jeff Spry)
Dandelion Ranch is a cozy new gift boutique blossoming in the heart of downtown Sisters. Owner Lisa VandenBrink owned a similar store in Salida, Colorado and relocated to the Bend area to be closer to family just six weeks ago.
“Our first priority was to get this store up and running again,” she said.“We chose Sisters because it was so close to that same type of quaint small town in Colorado where we lived. These places are special. You begin to have an intimate relationship with your customers with this sort of location.”
Her comfortable new shop is filled with a little bit of everything, from wearable handbags, hand-crafted aprons and heirloom pillows, to birdhouses and whimsical melamine tableware made to imitate paper plates, embellished with honey bees.
“I never wanted to put all my eggs in one basket so I carry a large variety of distinctive items you might not see anywhere else.“
VandenBrink’s country-style emporium displays an impressive selection of charming windchimes, garden planters, outdoor mirrors and patio statuettes to adorn your yard with.
“We have unique French Country home decor items from small, cottage industry companies like Rewined, who supply soy candles made to smell like the taste properties that go into different wines,” explains VandenBrink. “We also carry kitchenware decorated with the art of Mary Lake-Thompson. And I love birds, bird’s nests, eggs, feathers. Anything with a bird on it, I love it! Our items reflect the essence of a bygone era that harkens back to simpler times.”
VandenBrink makes all the aprons right here so sometimes when it’s slow you’ll see her sitting at the sewing machine. “They’re made with real vintage linens I collect from all over. People bring them to me from second-hand stores and even an occasional yard sale. I also carry Grandmother’s Buttons jewelry line, made with antique buttons. They’re made in St. Francisville, Louisiana by an artist who actually has a button museum there as well.”
Other eye-catching items are the throwback art cards by Hilda Glasgow, a famous New York fashion designer from the ‘50s-‘70s. When she died, her daughter discovered her original drawings in her Manhattan apartment attic and developed an exclusive line of cards based on her mother’s fashion designs.
“Outside on our porch we have “man chairs” for the men to sit and relax while the ladies browse through the store,” she said.“The goal of the business is for it to be a pleasant place to come and spend time, even if you’re not in the immediate market to buy something. I encourage friends and visitors to stop by often to say hello to Ellie Mae, my English Springer Spaniel, our shop dog. There’s always something new to discover here.”
Dandelion Ranch
202 South Elm across from U.S. Bank
Open six days a week 10am-5pm and closed Wednesday.
541-549-1975
