(Joining Bend, Redmond and Madras, Prineville now has its own Abby’s Pizza Parlor | Photo courtesy of Abby’s)
Abby’s Pizza Parlor Represents $1Million Investment in the Community
Founded in Roseburg, Oregon in 1964, and now employing more than 800 people, family-owned Abby’s Pizza Parlor responded to a petition by “the people of Prineville” asking the company to establish a local presence. CEO Toby Luther has been quoted as saying. “This will be a wonderful spot for the community to gather and enjoy some great food.”
Located at 1485 NE Third Street, with other Central Oregon parlors in Bend, Redmond, and Madras, the local Abby’s has a total of 40 employees (both full- and part-time), and represents an investment of $1 million, according to EDCO’s Kelsey Lucas.
“We love Prineville, and the success of this location has exceeded our expectations,” added Chris Burnett, real estate manager.
Expanded Wilco Farm Store Five Times Larger Than Previous Location
Employing more than two dozen people, the Wilco Farm Store that opened in April 2023 is five times larger than the previous location, “a symbol of the growth being seen in Prineville and Crook County in recent years,” according to Wilco Vice President for Marketing and Ecommerce Jake Wilson.
“Our original Prineville store could actually fit in the clothing department at the new 22,500-square-foot store,” he said. “So definitely a lot more selection that we’re able to offer in the community, and we’re pretty excited about it.”
The farmer-owned cooperative focuses on a wide array of products for rural life. Located at 154 NE Saint Charles, the new location offers clothing, dog grooming stations, a nursery, a greenhouse, large storage, a covered drive-thru load-out, and bulk propane.
Top Gun Resources Builds New Facility in Tom McCall Business Park
“We formed Top Gun Resources in 2015 with the goal of making wildland fire camps more comfortable and safer for the brave men and women who fight wildfires,” according to CEO April Garus.
Although a new traded-sector business to Crook County, Top Gun has long been recognized in Central Oregon as an Emergency Management Resource company that supports government agencies in disaster resiliency efforts such as hurricanes, natural disasters, and wildland firefighting needs.
Its new facility in Prineville’s Tom McCall Industrial Park will serve as a central location for many of Top Gun’s operations nationwide.
Prineville Arby’s is Newest in Central Oregon
The second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world, with more than 3,500 locations in nine countries (Subway ranks first with more than 37,000 restaurants), Arby’s drew a line of customers that stretched around the corner of the building when it opened in April 2023. (The first 25 people received free Arby’s sandwiches for one year.)
Festivities also included a ribbon cutting by the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce, which posted on Facebook that “We know you’re all very excited about the Arby’s — we are too.”
Arby’s is part of the Flynn Restaurant Group, a restaurant company that owns franchises with six major brands, including Arby’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Applebee’s, Panera and Pizza Hut. Flynn is the largest franchise operator in the world.
“We are super excited to be part of the community,” said Kerry Aughenbaugh, Northwest Director of Operations for the Flynn Restaurant Group.
Projected to add 35 new jobs to the local economy, Arby’s began in 1964 with a hot roast beef sandwich, subsequently adding other signature items to the menu. Its roast beef is cooked, roasted, and sliced to order in-house. The company “aims every day to provide guests with the quality food and service they deserve, while also investing in communities through maintaining and creating jobs.”
The Patio Taphouse Promises ‘a New Dining Experience’
Occupying the former location of Crooked Roots Brewing, The Patio Taphouse is moving forward on its plans to open on 420 Main Street in downtown Prineville, according to EDCO’s Kelsey Lucas.
Billing itself as a “family-friendly gathering space in an open-air, garden-like setting offering a new dining experience,” The Patio will serve “high quality, great tasting, popular food and drink options at affordable prices with a commitment to speedy service” for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A distinctive feature is The Patio’s “giant” self-serve toppings bar that allows guests to customize their frozen yogurt, popcorn, waffles, hot chocolate, and coffee.
