‘Redmond renaissance’: Historic buildings being repurposed, in modern ways

(Update: adding video, details from business co-owner)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bo Olson describes it as a "Redmond renaissance."

He and his business partner, Mitch Thisius, opened the Junction Roastery Social Club in late February.

The two moved into the Patrick Building, which was built in 1940 and served as the city’s hospital.

“It's really cool, because we will have people come in here and say they were born here,” Olson said Wednesday.

And it's not just the Patrick Building that's gotten a facelift. The First Presbyterian Church, built in 1912, is a pizzeria and the Old Redmond Hotel had an extensive, two-year renovation, reopening in 2019.

“We are trying to be a part of the fiber of the City of Redmond and help it on that trajectory that we feel it's on, Olson told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday.

Olson said he and Thisius opened their coffee shop to help "bring people together."

Olson, who has experience repurposing buildings, said he wants the Junction Roastery to "think local."

Olson also owns Niblicks & Greene's, an Eagle Crest restaurant, which supplies Junction Roastery with baked goods, while the milk the coffee shop uses is from Redmond's Eberhard's Dairy.

The First National Bank in downtown Redmond, built in 1912, is also under renovation. Several businesses and apartments are planned there.

If you want to see more of Redmond's history that's still in place today, the city's Historic Landmarks Commission has a Heritage Walk Tour, and an electronic version as well.