Elk Vintage to open first brick-and-mortar store in Bend’s Old Mill District
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Elk Vintage, a locally owned boutique, is set to open its first permanent storefront in Bend's Old Mill District this spring. Owners Jeni Gallacher and Andria Hattenhauer will move the business into the historic Little Red Shed with a grand opening scheduled for May 1st.
The 400-square-foot building is the oldest structure in the district and originally served as a fire hose shed for the Brooks-Scanlon mill. The new shop marks a transition for the owners, who built the brand through regional pop-up markets and community events across Central Oregon.
The business grew from the owners' history of hosting pop-up shops and participating in markets throughout Central Oregon. They previously sold items at Gathered Wares, Consignment Collective, Dogwood at the Pine Shed, and various events in Camp Sherman. Gallacher, co-owner of Elk Vintage, said the transition to a physical store was a gradual progression from their personal collections. “At first, it was just, ‘We have a lot of cool stuff,’” Gallacher said. "Then it turned into, 'Wouldn't it be great if we had a store?'"
Co-owner Hattenhauer said the size and historical nature of the structure, which sits near City Home, aligned with their vision for the boutique. “We had seen the Red Shed before and thought, ‘That would be the perfect spot,’” Hattenhauer said. “It’s the right size for what we want to do, and the fact that the building itself has history makes it even more special.”
The boutique will feature a mix of vintage clothing, accessories, and small home goods sourced from across Oregon, as well as online platforms and regional buying trips. Gallacher's contributions to the collection focus on vintage T-shirts, denim, and rock-n-roll styles.
Hattenhauer provides a different perspective with classic sweaters and timeless pieces. Gallacher said the inventory is selected to ensure shoppers find unique items. "All of our pieces are one of a kind," Gallacher said. "You're not going to walk in and find something everyone else is wearing."
Each item in the shop is washed, steamed, and prepared before it is available for purchase. Hattenhauer said she hopes customers feel a sense of discovery when visiting the boutique. "We love the idea that a vintage piece finds you," Hattenhauer said. "That's what we want people to feel when they walk in."
The grand opening is scheduled for May 1st from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. as part of the First Friday Art Walk. Regular store hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with new inventory arriving on a weekly basis.
