Over on EDCO's website they've pinged some news about local companies RuffWear and G5 Search Marketing:

Outside magazine names G5 Search Marketing and Ruff Wear to 50 “Best Places to Work” list in the U.S.
Snag the May issue of Outside Magazine (available on newsstands April 20) to check out its third annual “Best Places to Work” list. Outside partners with the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group to find the ultimate work environment. The process involves a year-long selection search to identify the best for-profit and non profit organizations with 15+ employees, then participating companies are sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires about company policies. Of the 50 selected, Ruffwear ranked No. 41 and G5 No. 42.

Kind of refreshing to see a magazine not just promoting Bend as "the next big thing" or whatever; but to get two companies on the top 50 in the U.S. seems pretty impressive. Big congrats to RuffWear and G5; keep up the good work.

We noticed this weekend that Dick's Sporting Goods is now open up on the north side of Bend. That's the business that took over the old Joe's (née GI Joe's) space in the Cascade Village shopping center (between Food 4 Less and Ross).

Personally I'd never heard of Dick's prior to them coming to town, but they've got a huge presence nationwide, and at least the Joe's space didn't sit vacant for long. Is anyone excited about the opening?

Today marked the opening day for Fox's Billiard Lounge, the new pool hall on the westside—Newport Avenue, to be exact—that's offering quality pool tables, cheap food, and where "every hour is happy hour." Here's their about us blurb:

Fox's Billiard Lounge is a wonderful place to come and enjoy the sport of billiards in an upscale environment while enjoying a full bar and $5 menu. Owner, Marshall Fox, has enjoyed Bend since his childhood. Being in the service industry for over 15 years combined with a passion for Billiards, Bartending and Eating he has created the next hot spot for Bend. Our philosophy is that every hour should be a happy hour which means everything on our menu is $5 or less. Fox's also entertains while serving guests with some great flair bartenders and friendly cocktail servers. Come on in and enjoy our lounge style seating in one of our beaded curtain areas or enjoy some Billiard play at one of our Portland made Golden West Billiard Tables. We also have a VIP room with its own Billiard Table, TV, WII System and Couch seating area.

Flair bartending? $2.75 beer? I have to admit I'm intrigued—have been since seeing the space under development the few times I've been down Newport lately.

No idea if they allow minors, and playing a table costs $8 per hour (I'm not sure if that's expensive or not—what's a good going rate?). And that flair bartending... I can't help but think of the Tom Cruise movie "Cocktail." Hope it's not that cheesy.

News that's both surprising and not so surprising in light of GM's dismal economic condition today: KBND reports that Bob Thomas is in dire straits:

Bob Thomas said they received a letter from officials at GM advising them that their contract will not be renewed in 2010. Thomas says they are astonished and dismayed at the decision.

I always thought Bob Thomas was one of the good ones, so that sucks. They're organizing a campaign to send "e-mails and letters of support" to GM and politicians; if you want to contribute send an email to rthomas@bobthomas.com.

An anonymous tipster wrote in to say, "DiLusso on Galveston has a big sign outside that says that location is closed, and folks should visit the downtown shop."

I haven't been down Galveston lately so I haven't seen this; but wasn't the Galveston location where they baked most of their pastries and items? Anyone have a scoop?

Just announced this morning on KTVZ.com: Cessna is closing its factory here in Bend.

Due to a continued slump in plane sales, Cessna Aircraft Co. announced Wednesday morning that it will shut its factory at the Bend Airport and lay off the fewer than 200 people still working there, moving assembly of the Corvalis line of planes to its Independence, Kan., facility.

The Bend closure comes as part of an announcement of eliminating 8,200 jobs, or 20 percent, of parent company Textron's global work force as the recession continues tt weaken demand for planes.

Cessna, the world's largest plane-maker, denied the always-persistent rumors that it had planned all along to move the Bend work to its Kansas headquarters.

From the Volcano Vineyards blog today comes the news that the downtown local winery is closing their tasting room, but with good reason: they plan to open a larger space.

We are working on opening a winery facility here in Bend for the production of our Magmita Sangria and our second label, Magna Wines. Because of permitting and licensing issues, we can’t have the tasting room open – the OLCC allows three locations under our winery license: we have our main winery facility in southern Oregon as one, our house is another (from where we ship) and the third is now the tasting room, but that will be transferred to the new winery space.

No word on when—things are taking longer than they thought—but it's certainly refreshing to hear of a local business actually planning on expanding in this economy.

They make good wine, too. Pop in to their tasting room on Brooks Street to try some before they move.

From the front page of the Bulletin today, news that Rising Star Stellar Home Furnishings is closing. They're planning a liquidation sale starting Thursday at 10am.

I always kind of thought they were a business that would weather the storm; after all, they've been open for 24 years and always end up on The Source's "Best Of" lists.

But I guess also it's true what someone said about it on Twitter—they've enjoyed the store, but it was always too expensive to buy.

Do I even need to point out that on top of everything else closing, now Harry & David is closing their store at the Factory Outlets too?

They'll be closing by the end of next month. And the manager of the Outlets is quick to point out that "there still will be 20 stores remaining at Bend Factory Stores."

For how long?

Perhaps this isn't as pressing an issue now with the economy on the downswing, but we've wondered for a while now why Bend doesn't have a Toys "R" Us. It seems like we have most other major stores—even Trader Joe's—so why not a Toys "R" Us?

Well, we were visiting that very store in Portland this weekend and asked. (We always ask when we go there.) The answer? Toys "R" Us did plan a Bend store—they even own property here. But they decided to hold off on building because of...

The City of Bend's sign code.

Since they apparently couldn't get the sign they wanted, TRU so far hasn't elected to build in Bend.

The caveat, of course, is that it's hearsay—even from a TRU manager—so take it as such. I did a cursory search in DIAL for a Toys "R" Us entity but didn't turn anything up—though of course it's likely lodged under some corporate name, if so.

Interesting if true, though.

A couple of observations about the downturned economy on the eastside, in the form of more closings...

Linens 'N Things has a big banner on their store, "Going out of business sale." Not entirely news, since they're bankrupt, but I noticed the sign for the first time the other day. That's a big space to fill in the Forum center.

Also, Demetri's Greek Cusina has been closed down—the location they were in (near the Windy Knolls complex) is closed and emptied. Interestingly, word has it that they're looking at opening in a vacant space in the Shell station on the corner there. (Yes, the Shell gas station/minimart.)

Oh, I don't believe I blogged this at the time, but a while back the Fantastic Sam's haircut salon closed down completely, too; they were located in the "Borden's Corner" area next to Double Happiness (which is still going strong). Closed down with nothing more than a sign on the door, no word or anything that I saw.

This is news I'd expect to have shown up locally first, but instead it showed up on the NewWest site (out of Montana): Bend’s Wildfire Brewery Forced To Change Name.

Wildfire restaurants - a chain of eateries with locations in Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and Georgia - sent a letter earlier this month to the owners of Wildfire Brewery informing them that they were in violation of a trademarked title. The letter strongly suggested that the brewery changes its name within six months, said Paul Cook, a co-owner and brewer for Wildfire.

Rather than take the issue to court, Cook said the Bend suds producer opted to change their business name....

As for a new name to replace Wildfire, Cook said he and his business partners currently have a list of five they are trying to narrow down. The owners of Wildfire Brewery - which opened in April 2007 - are also reaching out the public for help creating a new name. Fliers are being distributed throughout Central Oregon where patrons can write down what they think should be a new name for the brewery. If Wildfire Brewery owners choose one of the names suggested, the individual who creates it will be given a free kegerator.

Fortunately, the main things they have to replace that are branded are tap handles around town. And, they're still producing beer during this time, so that's good news.

Anyone seen any of these name-change fliers yet?

By now everyone's probably heard that Kayo's is closing it's two restaurants—their "Roadhouse" in Redmond and their "Roadhouse East" in Bend. (Apparently there's a Kayo's Sports Bar in the north end of Bend that's remaining open? Though the KTVZ article mentions it's in southeast Bend... Anyone actually know where this place is at?)

But I was over at the Factory Outlets on the south end of Bend and was surprised to see that the kids store "Bear Hugz" was also closed—no sign, windows dark, everything.

(Bear Hugz was the same type of place as the Build-a-Bear Workshop: you get to choose and "build" your own teddy bear or plush toy, with accessories and everything.)

It's getting kind of crazy the sudden closures that seem to be popping up. Anyone know of any others?

It's confirmed; Duncan first reported it yesterday and it appears in today's paper (E-edition online only; no link). They've been downtown on Minnesota Avenue for 35 years (though not at the exact same location). 35 years! I don't even know what to say.

(And before anybody points an accusative finger as to supposed lack of community support, yes, I have bought books from them.)

On the bright side, they plan to continue to exist online (and take phone orders starting June 1). I hope that works out for them.

On my way home from work yesterday I noticed that Silver Moon Brewing was getting a new sign installed, one of those types that you can stick letters to so as to post events and specials and such. Nothing flashy, but it catches the eye when you're driving on Greenwood.

So I did what any self-respecting blogger (with too much time on his hands?) would do: took pictures today.

Live music tonight. Just so you know.

Actually I think the sign snazzes up the facade a bit... the building itself is a little rough around the edges, but this helps. Here's a picture with a little more context:

Duncan over at Pegasus Books revealed on his blog today that he is opening a second store here in Bend.

I'm planning to open a second store in Bend. Let me be clear — it is an additional store. Not instead, not substituting for....a complete new store, henceforth know as P2. (I have the idea of a sign with a logo of my flying white horse, alongside a second flying horse that's black, and the letters, "PEGASUS, too.")

If you think of the main arteries in Bend, you have to say that 3rd Street (old Hwy. 97) is the biggest north/south commercial street, and Greenwood (Hwy. 20) is the biggest east/west. The other main commercial east/west is Franklin. (Portland/Olney is a traffic artery, but not commercial.)

This is the corner I'm looking at. I've been surprised when I use the Sweetheart Donuts stand, (bright red, on the corner) as my landmark that people don't know where it is, but I'm talking about the building just south of the Murry and Holt car lot on the corner of Franklin and 3rd. The one that has been a furniture store over the years. Great location, lousy building.

The new owner is fixing it up nicely. It's pretty much gutted, right now, so you have to use your imagination, but it fits the number one priority for me to open a new store.

That is a pretty good location, I'd say. A comic book shop next to a doughnut shop. Really, does it get any better?