CC McKenzie

Store Happy Hour! Mondays 11-1, treats and DEALS served!

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The Closet

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Patagonia

920 Bond

Gear up for the cold weather!

http://www.downtownbend.org/patagonia-base-layer-sale/

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SportsVision Bend

1000 NW Wall Street

Open during construction!

http://www.downtownbend.org/sportsvision-coupon/

Hello visitors from the Dutch state! Welcome to Central Oregon! We are happy that you’ve come to ride Bachelor and enjoy our wonderful community.

As part of our welcome in Downtown Bend, we have arranged for over a dozen businesses to offer you specials, deals and fun stuff. Come to Downtown Bend and look for the BVSA logo on blue signs at the following businesses:

Shopping! (eats below)

The Blvd.

1002 Wall Street (541) 389-9940

The Blvd is your locally owned one stop shop for Hot Affordable Fashion!!!  We carry the latest styles at a price you’ll love!!!  Featuring Juniors, Misses, Plus Size, and Men’s apparel, along with gorgeous handbags and great accessories!!!  With new arrivals every week, you are sure to find something fabulous.  So if you want to look like a million bucks and still have some cash in your pocket….. come to The Blvd!!!  Be sure to check us out on Facebook and at our website @ www.theblvdfashion.com

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Bend Bungalow

937 Wall Street (541) 383-2992

Opened in 2001, Bend Bungalow specializes in Arts & Crafts-inspired home furnishings and gifts. We cherish the aesthetics and philosophy of the Arts & Crafts era, striving to live up to its ideals and to find products that reflect its unique design sensibilities, while keeping affordability in mind.

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Cascade Cottons

909 Wall Street (541) 306-6071

Cascade Cottons is Bend and Central Oregon’s premier resort apparel store. We have the area’s largest selection of Bend, Mt. Bachelor, and Central Oregon logo wear for the entire family. Featuring an extensive variety of quality and fashionable T-shirts, hoodies, fleeces, kids apparel, hats, souvenirs and accessories we have the keepsake memories you are searching for. Visit them online at: www.cascadecottons.com

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The Closet

118 Minnesota Avenue

Located on Minnesota Ave, The Closet is your source to the newest styles from brands including Nick & Mo, Cecico, Ya, LA Idol, Cello Jeans, Verty, Double Zero, Buffalo Denim, Toi et Moi, Mur Mur, Enti, Laguna Beach jeans and many more!  With prices that won’t break the bank, come explore your individual style with unique jewelry, handbags, shoes and clothing!  With new product coming in constantly, there is something for everyone! Check us out on facebook for sales and featured items under The Closet, Bend, OR. Want more? We also have another location at 1805 NE Hwy 20 within the Cascade Design Center!

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Clutch

124 Minnesota Avenue (541) 306-3099

Clutch brings designer handbags to Bend! Designers include Kooba, Hobo Inernational, Hayden Harnett, Rebecca Minkoff, Ellington, Lauren Merkin, Elaine Turner, Mar Y Sol and more! Whether it’s a satchel, evening clutch, or travel bag you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Clutch.

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Cowgirl Cash

924  Brooks Street (541) 678-5162

Cowgirl Cash is a Western Vintage Boutique that specializes in Vintage boots, belt buckles and Turquoise.  We carry authentic, practical, items, most of which are pre-enjoyed.  We are second hand buyers and pay you cash for quality items you may not want or need anymore that fit our Western Vintage vibe. We also pay cash for scrap gold. You never know exactly what you will find at Cowgirl Cash, so it’s always worth a drop by.

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Dream Pebbles Bath

112 Minnesota Avenue (541) 350-7818

All of our organic soaps are handmade with the finest natural ingredients. Freshly made soap for healthier skin! Stop by our new location & pick up a free all natural soap sample!

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The Feather’s Edge Finery

113 Minnesota Avenue (541) 306-3162

The Feather’s Edge Finery is a fun place to discover handcrafted goods from all over the country. Many of our artisans specialize in sustainable, recycled, and all natural materials.   We have something great for adults & kids alike.

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Giddy Up!

126 Minnesota Avenue (541) 647-1214

Hot Box Betty

903 Wall Street (541) 383-0050

Hot Box Betty Bend, as featured in Lucky magazine, strives to make fashion fun for her shoppers and introduce new lines and new designers, while always keeping stock of the fashion essentials. Hot Box Betty (est. 2000) is an upscale women’s specialty boutique that caters to a fashion conscious consumer. Kirsten Heinz, owner and operator, has a true love for fashion which allows Hot Box Betty to be on the forefront of fashion.

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John Paul Designs

1006 Bond Street (541) 318-5645

John Paul has been designing jewelry in Bend, Oregon for over a decade. What started out as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing from the University of Wisconsin Stout, has led to a lava rock and mortar retail gallery in beautiful downtown Bend. With a full studio on premise, John Paul Designs can create nearly anything in his 800 square foot atelier.

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Leapin Lizards Toy Company

953 Wall Street (541) 382-8326

Leapin’ Lizards is an integral part of our local community serving as a resource for families and others interested in encouraging healthy growth through play. We encourage kids of all ages to come browse our toy store and play with our imaginative and fun toys

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Local Joe

929 Wall Street (541) 385-7137

Great place for jeans and other stylish clothing

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Eats!

Astro Lounge

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10 Below

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Dudley’s Bookshop Café

135 Minnesota Avenue (541) 749-2010

books, espresso, tea & treats

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Joolz

916 Wall Street (541) 388-5094

The Wine Shop & Beer Tasting Bar

Bend Yogurt Factory has added soup and hot drinks to warm your heart for the winter. Bring in the coupon for $1 off!

Click here for more info on the leasing climate in Downtown Bend

DOWNTOWN BEND STOREFRONT CHANGES

Occupancy at 92% with several new and relocating businesses

The Downtown Bend Business Association is pleased to announce three new businesses starting up and many more relocating within downtown and the current occupancy rate. Occupancy is at 92%, a slight dip from the end of the third quarter. The rate is based upon the number of leased retail/restaurant spaces in the downtown district.

“For the 2^nd year in a row, we have seen a small dip in our occupancy in the fourth quarter. Sales in the fourth quarter were up year over year so we move into the first quarter with solid optimism“, says DBBA Executive Director Chuck Arnold.

Bond Street gets more brews as Deschutes Brewery finishes up their expansion at 1030 Bond with plans to open next month. The corner of Greenwood and Bond will soon have The Ale House by Brother Jon’s at 1051 Bond. The popular Galveston pub is expanding into downtown with food, brews and entertainment and anticipates opening in February.

Brooks Street is ramping up for the opening of Bend Bungalow Warehouse at 930 Brooks. The outlet for the popular Wall Street shop will offer great deals on great Bend Bungalow merchandise and will be open only for special sale events.

Oregon Avenue sees Sunlight Solar move into 61 Oregon offering information and consultations for residential and commercial solar installations.

Wall Street gains Lotus Moon (within Tres Jolie at 933 Wall) offering an interesting array of sustainable gifts, clothes and jewelry. The shop was formerly located on Brooks Street. Game Domain, the game and card shop moves from Oregon to downstairs in the 1000 Wall building. The Savy Agency, an integrated marketing agency servicing consumer-facing and business-to-business brands expands upstairs at 916 Wall. Topolino also expands next door at 842 Wall. The children’s clothing store staple in downtown has grown into a full service toy and clothing shop for young ones. Also at 842 Wall, What Lola Wants now occupies Topolino’s former space. The gift shop offers unique brands not typically found in Bend.

The DBBA is a private nonprofit organization representing approximately 375 businesses and 85 property owners working to keep Downtown Bend vibrant. The organization is responsible for downtown beautification, cleaning and maintenance, marketing, events and keeping the business environment healthy. More information is available at www.DowntownBend.org.

Downtown Bend Economic Improvement District 2012 Q & A

What is an Economic Improvement District (EID)?

An EID is a funding mechanism that enables Downtown Bend to achieve its goal of staying successful. EID’s are utilized throughout the U.S. in cities of all sizes as an equitable way to fund improvements. With an EID, ALL property owners (and thus tenant business owners) contribute to the effort via an assessment of square footage. The EID may invest in improvements of beautification, maintenance, marketing and other projects or programs which ultimately increase property value and economic activity.

Don’t we already have one of these?

Downtown has benefitted from an EID since 2007. The current district will terminate as planned in April 2012. The EID has been responsible for such popular improvements as the flower baskets, banners, holiday decorations, sidewalk cleaning, snow removal as well as events and marketing.

Why do we need an EID?

If the EID is not reauthorized for 2012, many downtown projects will end. Funding will be lost for flower baskets, holiday lights and decorations, sidewalk cleaning, snow removal, banners and more. Downtown will lose its liaison and advocate, its marketing and maintenance teams as staff will be laid off. Events like Art Hop, Oktoberfest, the Sidewalk Sale, the Holiday tree lighting, visits with Santa and more will lose funding leading to their potential cancellation.

What changes with this proposed EID?

The 2012 EID will launch an aggressive annual marketing program to bring more locals downtown! This program will be more far reaching than any previous effort ever undertaken. We will hire a professional brand and marketing company to develop and execute a new campaign for downtown that will be present in our local media year around. We will keep downtown and downtown businesses top of mind!

In order to fund this effort, we are proposing an adjustment to the scope and scale of the district. The rate per square foot will increase 3 cents. The annual assessment will be $0.18 per square foot of commercial building space for a three year period. For the average 1,200 sq. ft retail shop this means we will have a fantastic marketing program that will benefit all businesses for only $3 more per month.

How were the EID assessments determined?

The nonprofit Downtown Bend Business Association Board of Directors and staff have been meeting with property and business owners to determine the scope of work, budget, project area and duration of District. We have been doing a lot of research to address what we need to do to continue to keep Downtown Bend vibrant.

What are the next steps?

There will be public hearings that will allow property owner comment. Property owners will receive an official letter from the City of Bend announcing the first public hearing scheduled March 7th. City Council, after hearing from property and business owners, will then determine the course of the EID. The final hearing to consider approval will occur May 2nd.

Who supports this?

This is the 3rd EID proposed for Downtown Bend and support has increased every year. Over 60 businesses and property owners have signed endorsements supporting the district (with more added every day)-twice as many as the previous EID proposed in 2009 during the height of the recession.

Each and every storm that leaves an accumulation of snow requires removal. Our goal is make an accessible path throughout downtown keeping it accessible and welcoming. The Downtown Association assists business owners with snow removal and sidewalk cleaning. We also shovel snow and clean curb ramps at crosswalks and the accessible parking stalls.

Our staff clears a path along the approximate 2.5 miles of sidewalk, but due to limited resources, we cannot shovel the entire sidewalk. Remember, city code requires each business owner to keep their adjacent sidewalk safe and clean.

Please call us (788-3628) if you have any questions or need any help.

2 Grants Available: OJT National Emergency Grant &  Back to Work OJT Grant

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)  has received funding to assist employers in training new hires that have been affected by the economic recession.

To summarize, this program is to assist employers in training and retaining employees. The funding will pay up to 50% of the trainee’s wages for a training period of up to 3+ months. The employer can choose the trainee (we would need to pre-screen for eligibility) or we could provide a list of eligible trainees.

COIC has designated myself and Leslie Mitts to facilitate this grant therefore we would be assisting the employer with all the paperwork and ensuring the process is as simple as possible.

Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.

Kathy Sharpe-McCord 541-322-32421,  Leslie Mitts 541-322-2434

We are growing our great Downtown $ Program.

At this time, not every business accepts them. Below is a partial list of business that do welcome them.

Eat/Drink

10 Below

900 Wall

Bellatazza

Bend Brewing Company

Bend D’Vine

El Jimador

Good Drop Wine Shop

Thump Coffee

Taj Palace

Typhoon!

The Wine Shop & Beer Tasting Bar

Clothing & Accessories

At the Beach

Bend Bungalow

The Blvd.

Cascade Cottons

Clutch

Faveur

Footzone

Honey Threads

Hot Box Betty

Kariella

Local Joe

Lulu’s Boutique

North Soles

Romantique

Urban Minx

Galleries

High Desert Frameworks!

High Desert Gallery

Mockingbird Gallery

Gifts & Books

Dream Pebbles

Leapin’ Lizards

Lulu’s Home & Gift

Powell’s Sweet Shoppe

Ranch Records

Tres Jolie

Trivia Antiques

Wabi Sabi

What Lola Wants

Home & Decor

Kitchen Compliments

Volt

Services

GETIT! Shuttle

High Desert Frameworks!

Spacious Downtown office space like this, retail spaces & much more available now in Downtown Bend.

More Info

11:30am

Alright. Staff is soaked and going home to dry off after 6 hours of shoveling. The sidewalks are in decent shape for the moment as the snow has turned to rain. We’ll be back at tomorrow!

9:30am

We are trying our best to keep up. A complete path thru’ downtown has been cleared. We will continue to clear it all day until it’s done. Many businesses are open. Definitely ski into downtown and grab lunch!

7am

We are a little behind schedule. Most paths to coffee shops and breakfast hangs are clear, but we still are working on one complete path downtown.

5:30 am

A beautiful day of snow in Downtown Bend.With school closed, we anticipate people coming to stroll downtown and enjoy their day!

We have wind blow areas of about 6 inches. Crews have been out since 5am clearing paths to coffee shops first (caffeine is the priority! )  , then breakfast places.

We should have one complete path through downtown done by 7am. We anticipate having all accessible parking stalls cleared by 8am.

Thanks for your patience as crews will be working all day today keeping the sidewalks clear. We will work to keep all 50 street crossings around downtown clear of snow so navigating the sidewalks remains as easy as possible for customers.

Remember, the DBBA assists with snow removal. We work to clear a path on @ 2 miles of sidewalk downtown. It is the business and property owners’ responsibility to ensure the sidewalk in front of their property is clear and safe.

Please call us (788-3628) if you have any questions or need any help.

Check them out on a cool winter day at the corner of Bond and Franklin!

The City has announced that they will be holding an open house to get feedback on the Special Events Code. Their announcement is below:

As a result of feedback from the community, City of Bend
staff began reviewing the Special Events Code as well as the
internal process for scheduling and managing these events.
A proposal was presented to the City Council on December 7,
2011 and with their support staff is initiating an open house
for interested parties to discuss these proposed changes.
Open House Date: Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Time: 2:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Council Chambers (1st Floor)

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January 11, 2012

Thank you to everyone who participated in our events survey. A summary is below. We have received great support from downtown businesses and the city on making changes to how events interact with downtown. Some changes will occur in the code and others will result in city staff policy. We are pleased with the process and our optimistic that the coming season will go smooth.

December 2011-Downtown Bend Events Survey Summary

We surveyed several dozen downtown businesses, some formally with a written survey and others through ongoing conversations.

The survey questions were:

SCALE OF CLOSURES
Wall & Bond Streets cannot be closed simultaneously on a weekday unless approved by City Council in a public forum where downtown can weigh in.

MORATORIUM
A moratorium on any new street closures from May to October unless voted on by City Council.

MEET W/ DOWNTOWN BEFORE PERMIT ISSUED
Require event producers to meet with the Downtown Bend Business Association 60 days prior to event. Event producers must complete the Downtown Bend Event Checklist prior to receiving their City permit.

IS A CLOSURE NEEDED?
Require City staff to ask event producers if a street closure is needed for their event and encourage the event to be held adjacent to downtown such as Troy Field, in an alley or Drake Park.

The feedback can be generally summarized:

• 90% of respondents wanted a requirement for event producers to meet with the DBBA prior to the permit being issued.
• 80% wanted limitations on Wall & Bond being closed simultaneously on weekdays.
• 65% would like to see a moratorium on any new street closures from May to October unless voted on by City Council.
• 60% of respondents would like City staff ask event producers to first consider adjacent spaces to downtown prior to considering closing a street.
• Other mentioned items included: Avoiding permitted closures on consecutive weekends and putting more controls on whether or not a single business can close a street for their benefit (ie-stricter measurement of the existing code of “public benefit” of the street closure)

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Here is the letter from the Downtown Bend Business Association Board President Tom Penn:

October 19, 2011

Dear Downtown Stakeholder,

The staff and Board of the Downtown Bend Business Association would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in the events discussion on Monday. Your thoughts and ideas were greatly appreciated and helped direct the path we would like to take for future events. It was great to have so many people wanting to be involved in Downtown Bend!

At the meeting, staff read through the current City code for events. It is the City code that determines how events are held downtown. The feedback we heard was that the code needs more specific to address how events interact with Downtown Bend.

Some of the main topics discussed and questions asked included:

-          How is “minimal impact” determined in regards to an event taking place downtown?

-          Is there a limit on the number of days an event can close the streets? Also, can we discourage back to back events/street closures and closures of both Wall and Bond simultaneously?

-          Is there a requirement for events coordinators to work with the DBBA? (Events checklist should be required)

-          What are the consequences if the events company does not follow the guidelines?

-          Can we change the time frame to a 60 day notice?

-          Can we have more events in Troy Field/ School District Parking Lot?

-          We need to address the issue of conflicting events happening around town on the same weekends.

-          Branding- need to work together to brand downtown, have control of our brand

In general property owners and business owners stated that they would like to be more involved in the process for events. That process will be moving quickly. It is our goal to have new events policies enacted by the City before the spring when events are more frequent.

This is an open process. We want more people involved and if you couldn’t make the meeting, your voice will still be heard. Our next steps will be to gather more feedback on code changes via a web survey and a door-to-door poll of downtown owners. Please give your feedback to a board member or your peers so that we can request the best policy changes that will work to keep Downtown Bend businesses vital.

Thank you for being a part of Downtown Bend!

Sincerely,

Tom Penn

DBBA Board President

Downtown Bend Flower Contract

Announced: Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA), a nonprofit business association is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to provide flower baskets.

The successful candidate will grow and maintain multi-colored petunias in 96 eighteen inch baskets. Baskets will be provided by the DBBA. The baskets will be picked up and installed by a 3^rd party. The baskets must be in bloom, appropriately developed and ready for pick-up by May 25^th, so growing must start in a heated greenhouse in February.

Proposals shall be on 8 ½ x 11 paper and should not exceed four pages including references and shall include a cost per basket.

Please submit proposals to:

Chuck Arnold

Executive Director

c/o Downtown Bend Business Association

Post Office Box 731

Bend, Oregon 97709

or via email to: Chuck@DowntownBend.org

Questions may be directed via email or by calling-(541) 788-3628. View more information about the Downtown Flower RFP, the DBBA and see previous beautification projects in downtown at: www.DowntownBend.org.

All proposals must be received by 5 pm, Friday, February 1^st.

All Capilene long underwear is 20% off!!

Come in soon for the best selection!

Patagonia

Bond Street, Downtown Bend

New in 2011, the 5 Fusion Collaborative Charity Dinner Series features a different guest chef from the Bend area each month, who takes center stage at 5 Fusion, creating a beautifully prepared and presented multi-course dinner, perfectly matched with wines and spirits from top producers.  All net proceeds are donated to essential local non-profits working to create a healthier, safer, more vibrant community in Central Oregon.

Instrumental in making this series a success are the many local chefs and restaurants who have partnered with 5 Fusion, including Skye Elder of the Pine Tavern, Joe Benevento of Tart Bistro, Dave Flier of Rockin’ Daves, OJ Robinson of Seasons at Seventh Mountain Resort, Steven Draheim of Soupcon, Lisa Glickman, Di Long, Jonathan Hardy of the Blacksmith Restaurant, David Touvell of CHOW, Juri Sbandati of Trattoria Sbandati and Matt Neltner of Deschutes Brewery.  Each of these talented chefs worked closely with 5 Fusion, contributing greatly to the success of the series.

The series is part of an ongoing effort by restaurant owner Lilian Chu to increase community support and awareness of local non-profit organizations.   “A key reason we even exist is to give back to our community.  It’s a huge part of our mission,” relates owner Lilian Chu. “We began our monthly Collaborative Charity Dinner Series as a way to support the non-profits who make Central Oregon the best place to live and thrive.”

“The success of the series is our collaboration with other chefs.  We get a chance to partner with and learn from our talented fellow restaurateurs, and diners have the opportunity to see these chefs in a different setting.  Everyone works together, learning from each other, and the charities benefit!”

The 2012 series kicks off with a special Chinese New Year Celebration on January 23^rd, featuring a traditional, eight-course Chinese dinner.  The number eight is widely regarded in Chinese culture as a universally lucky number.  The meal will include pairings of specialty cocktails and wines, designed to complement the cuisine.  This first dinner will benefit KIDS Center, Central Oregon’s child abuse prevention, evaluation and treatment center.  For tickets and the full menu, please contact Talena Barker at 541-647-4907.

Since opening in early 2010, Five Fusion has donated more than $45,000 to local charities.

More of Sidelines Sportsbar & Grill other great offerings

10 Minnesota  Avenue (541) 382-8436

Jazz at the Oxford welcomes Smokin’ Blues, Jazz and Soul with Mel Brown’s B-3 Organ Group

Friday, January 13th – 8:00 pm Show

Saturday, January 14th – 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm Shows

Presented by the OXFORD hotel, Combined Communications, G2 Strategic,
Central Oregon Radiology Associates, Subaru of Bend, The Leffel Center, Douglas Fine Jewelry and The Source. 

Downtown restaurants in the book include:  5 Fusion, 900 Wall, Café Sintra, Deschutes Brewery