MADE
IN BEND
This year it was time to devote our Made in Bend issue to the tried and true local businesses that have been serving us for decades and in some cases, like with Donner's Flower Shop, for more than a century. Like fine wines, these companies have matured into our favorite hangouts and stops for food, drink and just about every service under the sun. There's too many of these great mom-and-pop shops to name here, but we've tried to round up our faves. For more on vintage businesses truly made in Bend, check out the Bent Blog at bendsource.com.
15-YEAR VINTAGE
Fagan Tree Service and Wood Chip, '90s
Alpenglow Café, 1989
Athletic Club, 1991
Sign Pro, 1992
Wanderlust Tours, 1993
Local Joe, 1993
Eastside Gardens, 1993
Newport Market, 1993
SubaGuru, 1995
Bend Brewing Company, 1995
Rebound Physical Therapy, 1995
Leapin' Lizards, 1996
Pizza Mondo, 1996
Rainbow Motel, in new building 15 years
25-YEAR VINTAGE
Ouzel Outfitters, 1979
M. Jacobs, 1980
Carrera Motors, 1982
Mirror Pond Cleaners, 1982
Nature's, 1983
The Victorian Cafe, 1983
Pilot Butte Drive-In, 1983
Westside Bakery, 1983
Goody's in Sunriver 1984, in Bend 1989
Chan's Chinese Restaurant, 1986
Jake's Diner, 1987
Deschutes Brewery, 1988
35-YEAR VINTAGE
Smolich Motors, 1866
Donner Flower Shop, 1911
Miller Lumber, 1911
St. Charles Health System, 1918
Metropolitan Barber Shop, 1923
Pine Tavern, 1936
The Tower Theatre, 1940
D&D, 1943
Eberhard's Dairy, 1951
Umpqua Bank, 1953
Les Schwab, 1952 in Prineville, 1955 in Bend
Nosler, 1958
Robberson Ford Lincoln Mazda, 1958
Mt. Bachelor, 1958
Dandy's Drive-in, 1968
Sunnyside Sports, 1972
Subaru of Bend, 1973
D's Hobbies, 1974
Denfeld Paint, 1975
Devore's Good Food Store, 1977
Bank of the Cascades, 1977
Sun Country Raft Tours, 1978
15-YEAR VINTAGE
Bend Brewing Co., 1995
This February the Bend Brewing Co. celebrated its 18-year anniversary. That's big news for a couple of reasons. For one, 18 years is a long-ass time to be making beer—congrats! For two, such an extended run makes BBC Bend's second oldest brewery. And they're not getting stale over there. In 2012, BBC won three major awards, all for non-conventional beers. The Lovely Cherry Baltic, Scottish Heart and Ching Ching all took home medals. This local's favorite overlooks the Deschutes River, offers up delicious food (get the nachos) and some of Bend's best beer. It's no wonder the little westside brewery has made it this long. Here's to 18 more!
Bend Brewing Co., 1019 NW Brooks St., bendbrewingco.com
Pizza Mondo, 1996
From Mondo's beginning in 1996, the owners of this downtown pizza joint have strived to make the best pizza "humanly possible." When Pizza Mondo opened, owners John Picarazzi and Steve Koch knew Bend needed a great pizza place. Picarazzi, a second-generation Italian, knew he had the right recipe, and Koch practically lived on pizza during law school. Now along with their longstanding restaurant on Wall Street, it's not uncommon to see their Pizza Mondo Prius delivering pizza all over town. Times have changed since they opened when Bend was a relatively small community of 30,000 residents, but to this day Pizza Mondo is still going strong. Even after 16 years in business they continue to grow, showing a 10 percent increase in sales just this last year.
Pizza Mondo, 811 NW Wall St., pizzamondobend.com
Fagan Tree Service, Early '90s
The three-generation-business started with recent city council candidate and current owner Wade Fagen's great-grandfather, Ollie Osmundson, who worked at the Shevlin Hixon Mill in 1917. According to Wade, Ollie was one of the first employees of the mill and would do tree service work on the side. Fagan started logging as a younster but when business dried up, he began following in his great-grandfather's footsteps by starting his own tree service business that really ramped up in the early '90s. Last year, when a giant willow called Popcorn's Tree (named for the dog buried underneath it) fell into the Deschutes River near the Galveston Avenue Bridge, it was Fagan Tree Service that was called to manage the cleanup. You can still find Wade himself on the job.
Fagan Tree Service, 151 SE 2nd St., bendoregontreeservice.com
Eastside Gardens, 1990
If you've got questions about what grows in Bend, Chester Cocca is the guy to ask. The owner of Eastside Gardens opened his business 20 years ago, and has proved that the growing season in Bend is more than just July and August. Walking onto the Eastside Gardens lot feels like another world, with coy ponds and acres of beautiful plants, shrubs, flowers, and more. Best of all, the nursery and garden center carry everything you need to make your backyard look like theirs—if you've got some time and a particularly strong green thumb.
Eastside Gardens, 61780 SE 27th St. eastsidegardens.org
25-YEAR VINTAGE
Deschutes Brewery, 1988
It's the stuff of microbrew legend. What began as a small brewpub on the streets of a little mountain ski town started out by selling just 310 barrels a year and has grown to become the fifth-largest microbrewery in the world. In 1993, the company outgrew the space on Bond Street and started production in the big delicious-smelling brewhouse on Simpson Avenue overlooking the Old Mill. In 2010, a second brewpub was established in the Pearl District of Portland. And the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year by moving further east than ever before—you can now find Deschutes Brewery beers on the shelves of 7-elevens in South Dakota. Whether it's the tried-and-true Black Butte Porter or any of the dozen or so experimentals on the beer list in the pub, we're fans and we still look forward to the latest release of Jubelale—and its accompanying new label design—every year. Bravely done, Deschutes.
Deschutes Brewery, 901 SW Simpson Ave., deschutesbrewery.com
Pilot Butte Drive-In, 1983
You wanna know how Pilot Butte Drive-In has made it all these years? The owners have always known the secret to a delicious burger. "A great burger must be gooey and drippy," founder Jack Mangin allegedly said. He's right. Go to the base of Pilot Butte and you'll find a burger joint that specializes in "gooey and drippy" burgers, crispy fries and old-fashioned shakes. And if you're feeling especially hungry, go ahead and order the 18-ounce burger. The fine folks at the drive-in have been serving up quality diner dishes since 1983 and they're not slowing down. They've even got a new location on the westside now.
Pilot Butte Drive-In, 917 NE Greenwood Ave. and 320 SW Century Drive, pilotbutte.com.
Jake's Diner, 1987
A well-established, bottomless-coffee, greasy spoon diner, Jake's has been around for over two decades serving truck stop-style breakfast and lunch in the largest portions in Central Oregon. Opened on the main drag in 1987, Jake's moved from its Hwy. 97 location to a tucked away spot on the East side of town in 2005. Loyal customers have kept the business running, making the longer trip for the same great service and classic diner grub Jake's has served for 25-plus years. Owners Lyle and Judy Hicks do their best to bring you a homey environment and great food, fast. Breakfast is a 10-4, good buddy.
Jake's Diner, 2210 NE Highway 20. jakesdinerbend.com
Nature's General Store, 1983
The little natural food store inside Wagner Mall has been owned and operated by the same family ever since it opened its doors in 1983. Debbie (whose last name is now Sloan) and Gordon Smith started Nature's after working as managers at the New Congress Market, one of Bend's early food co-ops. The couple, who helped Bend celebrate its first official Earth Day in the mid-'80s, became believers in natural foods after a family member who was suffering from a terminal illness was healed using natural remedies and raw, organic juices. Nature's has weathered the opening (and closing) of a number of big-name specialty food stores and has expanded to include a kombucha filling station; juice, salad and soup bar; and even a deli.
Nature's General Store, 1900 NE 3rd St. Suite 104, 541-382-6732
35-YEAR VINTAGE
Sunnyside Sports, 1972
Sunnyside is Bend's oldest bike and nordic ski retailer. In December, the shop celebrated its 40th anniversary. Gary Fowles and Jim DeSmet opened the shop's doors in 1972 on Northwest Irving Avenue in downtown Bend. Gary Bonacker, a Central Oregon mountain bike pioneer and all around cool dude, was the shop's first employee—he liked working there so much he never left. The Bend legend is now a co-owner, along with his wife, Susan, and fellow co-owners/employees Don Leet and Mike Schindler. Though Sunnyside is now located on Newport Avenue the shop continues to be known for its friendly employees, top-flight gear and local knowledge.
Sunnyside Sports, 930 NW Newport Ave., sunnysidesports.com.
D&D, 1943
The D&D started out serving ranch hands and mill workers in the early '40s. Originally the bar had an apartment in the back where blue-collars could wash up after a long day at work before getting a stiff one at the bar. One thing that hasn't changed in its 70-year history is the bar's reputation for serving a workingman's drink—simple and strong. Started by Daily and Donley, the business' namesakes in 1943, the D was passed on to Ralph Sherman in 1970 and has been owned by Judy Bell-Putis since 1989. If you look close, Bell-Putis says you'll find seven uncovered bullet holes in the ceiling from an upset patron around 1990. Knowing the long history of the D, it's doubtful that those were the first shots fired in the bar.
D&D, 927 NW Bond St.
The Pine Tavern, 1936
The Pine Tavern was founded in 1936 and has been in business continuously for the last 77 years. Remarkably, the restaurant has only changed hands four times. It's a go-to spot for tourists and long time patrons alike. One couple recently commemorated a 50th wedding anniversary and said they have been celebrating by returning to the Pine Tavern every year. The restaurant has been through a few incarnations from casual family dining to white tablecloths and fine china. A major renovation in the '50s enclosed the two gigantic Ponderosa Pines in the Garden Room that are the restaurant's signature attraction. Close seconds are the handmade scones, honey butter, prime rib and a wide selection of Northwest-inspired dishes using locally sourced meat.
The Pine Tavern, 967 NW Brooks St., pinetavern.com
Metropolitan Barber Shop, 1923
Technically, Metropolitan Barber Shop has been in Bend since 1905, but the shop burned down in 1912, was rebuilt in 1923 and has been operating under the same name ever since. Curious about the old days? Go on in, get a trim, a hot-towel, straight-razor shave and a cold beer and peruse the wall of history, complete with historical photos documenting the cuts through the ages. The barber shop claims to be the oldest business in downtown Bend. All in all, a great place to get your ears lowered as long as you're not expecting anything too fancy.
Metropolitan Barber Shop, 1011 NW Wall St., 541-382-1451
