Downtown Bend sets leasing record
The Downtown Bend Business Association announced Tuesday five new businesses starting up and a record occupancy rate for the second quarter of the year.
Occupancy reaches 94 percent, up from the first quarter of 2012, and sets a record. The rate is based on the number of leased retail/restaurant spaces in the downtown district.
“Downtown Bend has now seen a record 11 consecutive quarters where we have exceeded well over 90 percent occupancy. We believe this bodes well for the district and Bend overall as the retail/restaurant sector shows some sustainability and resiliency” says DBBA Executive Director Chuck Arnold.
Brooks Street gains a new fine art gallery, Paul Scott Gallery (869 Wall Street-located through the Breezeway on Brooks). The gallery features internationally acclaimed artists from many different countries creating fine art painting and sculpture.
Franklin Avenue has two new businesses joining downtown. Pastrami Old World Deli (431 Franklin) offering traditional New York Jewish Deli sandwiches along with beer and wine in a fun atmosphere. In the Franklin Crossing Building along Tin Pan Alley, The Mortgage Company (550 Franklin) opens for business providing internet mortgage tools.
Minnesota Avenue now has Bend Your Imagination (126 Minnesota) open for shoppers featuring gifts and art from throughout Oregon including wood work, jewelry, clothing, paintings, photography, pottery, and home dcor.
Oregon Avenue gets Earth*Fire*Art (117 Oregon) a paint your own pottery studio.
The DBBA is a private nonprofit organization representing approximately 350 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.
