New look due for Bend’s Old Mill

Officials with Bend’s Old Mill District said Thursday that several long-time businesses like Lahaina Galleries, Orvis and O Mo Mo boutique are closing their doors. But to get shoppers excited for the holiday season, several “pop-up shops” are moving into the empty spaces.

Since the Old Mill District opened up more than a decade ago, many stores have come and gone. One that’s been there since the beginning is Lahaina Galleries.

“It’s been fun to grow with the Old Mill and we’ve enjoyed it here a lot,” manager Kevin Gagnon said Thursday.

After the owners started the business 17 years ago in Maui, Gagnon and his wife brought it to Bend. And now, they’re heading back to Hawaii.

“We never thought we would be one of those stores that came in and went, but we’ve seen a lot of them come and go,” Gagnon said. “A lot of the main stores here have been here almost as long as we have.”

Orvis is one of the stores that has been in the Old Mill for years. Officials said the high-end fishing store will close January 31, but were not ready to elaborate on what would be moving in. Store employees declined to comment on Thursday.

While some of the buildings are empty for now, they’ll soon have pop up shops for the holiday shopping season.

Dani Naturals is moving in, a shop that carries natural lotions, shower gels, shampoos and conditions and soy candles. Also, Nashelle is setting up shop. It’s a jewelry store with recycled metals and natural gemstones.

And Mapping Contemporary is an art gallery featuring prints and ceramics that will be opening its doors soon.

One store that moved out of the Old Mill and into downtown Bend is O Mo Mo.

“We’ve gotten really great support from everyone downtown, and we are just so excited to be here,” owner Monica Brown said.

Brown spent four years at the Old Mill and was ready to expand to a bigger space. She said she’s excited to start a new adventure downtown, where she says there’s more local boutiques.

“We hope we’re here for a long, long time,” Brown said. “We’re really excited to add on new brands to our existing collection and appeal more to the locals and meet their needs.”

Coming soon to the Old Mill is Oregon Locker Room, a sportswear and memorabilia store. Also, Francesca’s, a women’s clothing boutique will open in February.