Stereo Planet returns to downtown Bend with grand reopening celebration

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A longtime Central Oregon audio destination is making its return to downtown Bend, aiming to reconnect the community with a deeper, more intentional way of listening to music.

Stereo Planet, a Bend business with a 45-year history, will officially reopen its doors during First Friday on June 5 at its new location on NW Bond Street. The reimagined space is designed to offer more than just equipment — it is built around creating an immersive, shared music experience.

The reopening comes through a collaboration with Patrick Smith, owner of Smith Rock Records and a longtime Central Oregon music figure, along with his team. Together, they are blending decades of audio expertise and record-collecting culture to create a destination for both longtime audiophiles and newcomers.

Inside, visitors will find a curated mix of high-performance stereo systems, vintage audio equipment, vinyl records, CDs and a wide range of music spanning generations and genres. Organizers say the focus is less on selling products and more on helping people rediscover the emotional impact of music.

“When someone hears a favorite album through the right system for the first time, it can genuinely move them,” said Stereo Planet owner Jon Houston. “That experience never gets old.”

The grand reopening event will coincide with Bend’s First Friday art walk and will include live listening sessions, music-focused conversations, food, drinks and in-store experiences designed to bring people together.

Organizers say the event is meant to offer a contrast to modern listening habits dominated by streaming and background noise, encouraging people to slow down and engage more deeply with music.

Stereo Planet and Smith Rock Records hope the new space will serve as a community hub where people can gather, discover new sounds and revisit old favorites in a more meaningful way.

The grand reopening begins at 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, at 1008 NW Bond Street in downtown Bend.