Downtown Openings and Closings, Update.

Nothing new to report on the list. I was a little excited to see a Downtowner's announcement of 8 new businesses, but when I read the list, I'd already covered them. As I've said before, I really only count business's I consider retail, including restaurants. I'm not including soft services, such as ad agencies.

Anyway, Chuck Arnold of the Downtowners came in to tell me I'd been inaccurate with my "less than 10%" vacancy quote. This was a figure that had been mentioned in an article about downtown Lake Oswego, and my offhand comment was to 'quess' that Bend was similar. Chuck informed me that it was more like 5%, but then again, Chuck has access to the actual vacancy rate, I don't.

I told him

1.) Well, 5% is less than 10%.

2.) I was responding to the article about Lake Owego's downtown.

3.) Most importantly, I'd be more than willing, happy in fact, thrilled....if he would pick up the phone next time and tell me the more accurate info. And that I'd be glad to correct any information that is incorrect immediately.

I'm bringing this up, because there is another article in the paper today about downtown filling up (nicely), that mentions this list.

And to reinforce again, that it is meant neither to tear down, or cheerlead downtown. It's meant to be objective, because I'm a great believer than information is useful in it's own right. That you never know when information will be useful.

After all, I'm pretty sure that if you asked the average citizen of Bend whether more businesses have opened or closed, that without this list they'd guess closed.

I've always maintained that free and open information is more positive than negative, and wished that other retailers could see their way to being less secretive. But my theory is, the same personality that would open a business -- a riverboat gambler -- is the same personality who holds his cards close to his chest.



NEW BUSINESS'S DOWNTOWN

Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota St. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota, 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe 11/5/09 25 N.W. Minnesota, Suite #7.
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails



BUSINESS'S LEAVING

Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
**Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
**Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)**
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
**Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
**King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
**Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro