Downtown Bend businesses report a drop in foot traffic as Central Oregon’s wildfire smoke lingers well into fall
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The latest round of smoke from the continued, lingering wildfires has again affected air quality levels for more than a week. It also has been affecting businesses in downtown Bend.
According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, there's an air quality advisory for Deschutes County through at least Tuesday due to the wildfire smoke.
"Sales have been down a little bit, but it has been probably like 10% on gross sales," barista Timothy Rust of Backporch Coffee Roasters said Monday.
Backporch Coffee is one of many Bend businesses seeing a decline in foot traffic, with wildfires causing Central Oregon air quality to fluctuate from unhealthy to moderate much of the month, along with some welcome breaks of good air quality.
"Everyone talks about the smoke when it's smoky, just because like everyone can feel it and breathe it in," Rust said. "And some people come in with masks, I've noticed."
The smoke has also caused businesses to adjust some routines, and rises and falls in business that correspond with the air quality levels.
CC Mckenzie Shoes and Apparels Manager Victoria Zollman said, "We're not able to put our clearance racks out during the smoke. We've seen a big decline on each day that it's smoky. And then the few days that it clears up, customers are right back downtown."
For other businesses, fall's special events in Bend are making up for some of the decline.
Scout and Pine downtown said it's been business as usual.
Cashier Dylan Kincaid said, "We seem to get a lot of foot traffic, still, especially with the film festival. There was a lot of people coming out."
The fall calendar of events this week includes Bend Design, which will bring artists and creative minds to town, and businesses are hopeful clearing smoke will bring the regulars back. There's also the Bend Venture Conference.
Zollman added, "We do have loyal customers in downtown Bend, and we have a great tourist season. The people come when they can."
