Dudley's Bookshop Cafe, Bend, Ore., held the grand opening celebration last Friday, May 15, for its second store, which is located in the Old Mill District at 655 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150. Dudley's had announced plans to expand earlier this year, noting that the 900-square-foot shop, which does not feature a cafe yet, is near the Deschutes River, with its back door facing the river trail. The original store remains open on Minnesota Ave. downtown.
Owner Tom Beans told Central Oregon Daily News that the new shop continues the legacy of the original, which goes back to "the book barn in the '70s."
The new bookshop's "cozy space is lined with massive bookshelves, warm lighting, and features repurposed materials from the log bridge of the original mill complex more than a century ago," the Source observed.
"Walking through the scrap yard and choosing building materials that were formative to the mill over a hundred years ago, and seeing them repurposed into structural and stylistic pieces has been a cool part of the process. From the moment you step through the door, the history of this place is right there to see and feel," said Beans.
Co-owner and manager Amy Rose added: "There are certain things we are thrilled to offer at the new space that are harder to achieve downtown; reliably convenient parking and patio seating are high on that list. The influx of small business representation to this part of town is something we're proud to be part of.
"Opening a second location has been in the works for several years now. Seeing what was once a pipe dream come to fruition is both exciting and nerve-wracking in its own right. Expanding at a time where everything feels uncertain has been wild, but the community in Bend has supported us every step of the way. We have them to thank, and them to serve."