Our New Year's resolution is...

Roundup of new businesses in Bend, a look ahead to January, and first Friday is back

Author

Derek Carlson
January 03, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Our New Year’s resolution is to keep sending out the best roundup of news and events to Central Oregon.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🏭️ Roundup of business openings over the last six months

  • 🙅 How to partake in dry January

  • 📆 A look ahead to January events

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

The art of our work? Making everyone wonder if you had anything done at all. ✨ 

Hi, we're Suzanne and Shannon – the owners of Salt Aesthetics here in Bend. Like you, we've seen enough over-filled faces and bad Botox to last a lifetime. That's why we built something different–a boutique medical aesthetics clinic that champions subtle over “overdone.” 

We keep it simple, offering a few select services, done really damn well. 

No upselling, no pressure–just expert medical aesthetic treatments that leave you looking naturally refreshed. 🌿 

Whether you’ve had treatments before or are a first-timer, we think you'll appreciate our honest, less-is-more philosophy.

Let's meet for a free consultation to see if we are the right fit. Plus, as a Bend Buzz welcome, we are offering wrinkle relaxers (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport) at $12.60 per unit (that's a 10% discount off our normal price!). 

Click below to learn more and claim your offer–we can’t wait to meet you.

Interested in featuring your business in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM!

SNAPSHOTS

❄️ Post-holiday first Friday

First Friday is back in downtown Bend, and now that you’ve got all that holiday shopping out of the way, it’s a great time to just enjoy the twinkle lights, check out new artists, and hang out with fellow Bendites.

🙅 Dry January options around Central Oregon

The arrival of the new year means new resolutions for many of us. One that has gained popularity in recent years is the practice of dry January. But just because you decide to give up alcohol for the month doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy tasty mocktails, get out on the town, and continue to live your best life. If you’re looking for ways to enjoy the month alcohol-free, check out EatDrinkBend’s guide to the best mocktail spots, locally made NA drinks, and activities to keep you busy.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

Did you know that yesterday was the 6-month anniversary of the Bend Buzz? On July 2nd, I sent out the inaugural issue to a whopping 50 people (today’s issue was sent out to over 6,000 🤯).

One of the most popular sections over that time has been the business happenings. Especially the new businesses! Because who doesn’t love finding a new favorite sushi spot?

To recap the past half year of business openings, here’s a list of everyone we have covered so far in the Bend Buzz.

  • Bar RBC - downtown offshoot of the popular Rancher Butcher Chef steakhouse

  • Hawkeye & Huckleberry - cowboy steakhouse in the old Walt Reilly’s space

  • Tomi Mart - Bend’s hotly anticipated Asian market

  • Camp Clay - pottery studio with classes and studio space

  • IsoMiMo - creative space in downtown Bend

  • FP Movement - activewear spot in the Old Mill

  • Wild Rye - fine dining at Brasada

  • Bend RV Resort - Bend’s newest luxury RV resort off of Murphy Rd

  • Olvidemos - oysters & wine from the team at San Simón

  • Ryoshi - one of Bend’s hottest new sushi spots

  • Gigi’s - mocktails and monthly dinners at The Pantry

  • Second Wind Sports - new spot for used sporting goods

  • Haven Bagels & Coffee - much-needed bagels and coffee on the east side

  • Dania Furniture - Scandinavian-inspired furniture at Cascade Village

  • Wonderland Chicken @ Worthy Brewing - fried chicken & beer at Worthy’s downtown spot

  • Kitchen Window Pizza - slow fermented pies from a window off Galveston

  • The Commonwealth Pub - part British pub, part music venue

  • Terranaut Brewing - Bend’s newest Eastside brewery

  • 5th St Bagels - bagel sandwiches served up at Ponch’s Place

  • The Dez - new mocktail spot at Palate Coffee

  • Eight Hands Sandos - sandwich cart at Crosscut

  • Pieous Pizza - pizza cart at Bunk + Brew

  • Cassity’s Bar & Grill - west side spot for a burger & beer

  • High Desert Heirlooms - online heirloom shop

  • Yokocho Izakaya - a wildly popular Japanese spot

  • Central Oregon Soup Company - a new soup spot on the east side

  • Lava City Cirque - an aerial silks gym on Bend’s north end

  • Freeland Spirits - women-owned spirits company at the Box Factory

  • Chonie’s Pizza - a new pizza cart at Van Henion

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @layorart |📍Downtown Bend
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday

✂️ No frills craft day: Join a community of crafting gals for a day of no-frills crafting at the East Bend library. Bring a lunch to this no-cost event and work on a project to start out 2025 on a productive note. 9 AM - 6 PM 62080 Dean Swift Rd

🕺 Hip-hop line dance lessons: Mosey on over to the Cross-Eyed Cricket for a FREE hip-hop line dancing class. Alex from Mindful Motion will be there to lead you through the steps. 8 - 9 PM 20565 NE Brinson Blvd

🛸 Point of Contact: While making the first Friday rounds, be sure to swing by the Scalehouse Gallery for the opening of their new exhibit, Point of Contact, by artists Agnese Cebere and Erin Langley. These works of photography and sculpture will leave you pondering the relationship with the lands we all call home. 5 - 7 PM 550 NW Franklin Ave

🗓️ Unity vision board: Kickstart your 2025 by delving deep into your dreams, desires, goals, and intentions for the upcoming year at this group vision board event. Snacks, beverages, and vision board supplies will be provided. 1:30 - 4:30 PM 63645 Scenic Drive

Saturday

🐈️ Cats on mats: The calendar has turned over to January, which means it’s time for another cat yoga event at Playful Paws Cat Cafe. Bring your own yoga mat and cat hair-friendly clothes as you work your way towards feline-like flexibility. 9:30 - 10:45 AM 1465 SW Knoll Ave

🏸 Badminton night: Ditch the crowded pickleball courts for some indoor badminton at Bend Hoops. Beginners and advanced players alike can join this $10 event. Extra rackets and birdies are provided. 6 PM 1307 NE 1st St

👗 Cinderella under the lights: Ovation Performing Arts will be performing six showings of Cinderella this weekend and next at Ridgeview High School in Redmond. Enjoy this contemporary twist on a classic tale. 6:30 PM Ridgeview High School Auditorium

🔥 Intro to blacksmithing: If your New Year’s resolution was to learn a new skill and you’ve already learned underwater basketweaving, then how about blacksmithing? The DIYCave is hosting a 2-hour introductory blacksmithing class where you will learn to forge your own bottle opener. 10 AM - 12 PM 444 SE 9th St

Sunday

🎿 Learn to XC ski: Meissner Nordic is teaming up with XC Oregon for a FREE learn to XC ski event at Meissner Sno-Park. This isn’t a professional lesson but a great way to get pointers from experienced skiers in the community that will help keep your skis snowside down. Lessons start at 1 PM, 1:30 PM, & 2 PM and take approximately 25 minutes. Meissner Sno-Park

⚪️ Not’cho grandma’s bingo: Kick off 2025 with Bend’s most entertaining morning of bingo. This high-energy event will keep the party rolling all morning long. 10 AM - 12 PM Silver Moon Brewing

🔥 Introduction to fire fans: Learn the art of combining dance and fire with an introduction to fire fans class at Lava City Cirque. Here, you can build on your skills week after week or drop in for a one-time experience. 1 - 2 PM 63075 Crusher Ave

❓️Trivia night at The Commons: Got a new book filled with random facts for Hanukkah but don’t have anywhere to use this wealth of new info? How about at a trivia night in downtown Bend at The Commons Cafe? Get here early to grab a seat! 6 - 7:30 PM 875 NW Brooks St

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

Silver Moon Brewing | Critical Blues Band | 7 PM | Tickets
Silver Moon Brewing | Marco Polo | 7 PM | Tickets
The Ale Apothecary | Jess Ryan Band | 6 PM
Wildwood Bar & Grill | Danger Gently | 7 PM
Stihl Whiskey Bar | Brandon Campbell Trio | 7 PM
Hawkeye & Huckleberry | Freddie & The Flannels | 8:30 PM
Commonwealth Pub | SHINE | 7 PM
Dez Lounge | DJ Preet | 6 PM

Saturday

Silver Moon Brewing | Helene in High Water | 3 - 11 PM
Northside Bar & Grill | Long Gone Wilder | 8 PM
Commonwealth Pub | JuJu Eyeball | 7 PM
Portello Wine & Spirits | The AM | 6:30 PM

Sunday

River’s Place | Jesse Elizabeth | 5 PM

UPCOMING JANUARY EVENTS

I put out a poll on Instagram recently asking what features you all would like to see added to the newsletter, and the overwhelming favorite was a monthly preview of upcoming events.

Job postings came in 2nd with a strong showing, so you’ll be seeing those next week. If you’re looking to post a job, feel free to reply to this email with the details!

Without further ado, here’s a preview of notable events happening around Bend in January.

This is a newsletter designed to help all Central Oregonians, so feel free to let me know what you like or dislike about these new additions. I’m all ears!

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 6,000+ readers in Bend? Drop us a line here → [email protected]