Summer not always hot for Sisters businesses

Sisters' downtown core was busy, but the cash registers didn't always ring. photo by Susan Springer Sisters business owners give this past summer season a mixed report card. Some noticed an increase in business compared with the summer of 2003 when forest fires kept visitors away. Yet all hope to see more local traffic in their businesses.

Events brought many tourists to town, but that didn't necessarily translate into brisk trade.

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cheryl Rhea said, "We already have a really strong base of events here and we'll continue to market those." Rhea, who took her position in September, said, "Overall attendance was up" for summer events.

The Gallimaufry recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. It is two separate businesses -- Sisters' only liquor store and a gift store. Owner Bob Grooney said the spirits portion of the business was good. However, overall, he said businesses was "just about comparable" with the summer of 2003.

"We need to work very hard with the media that Central Oregon is a joyous place to go and you can have a lot of fun," said Grooney.

He thinks the fires of 2003 continued to have a negative impact, leaving some potential visitors with the perception that this area is "a volatile place." He praised the quilt show for its positive financial impact on Sisters, saying it was an "exceptional attraction."

Folk Arts & Co. has experienced a dozen summers in Sisters. Co-owner Donna Harris calls this past summer "unique."

"There were days when you thought you were back in February," said Harris but adds it was "much better than last year with the fires."

She said some events bring people to Sisters but not necessarily to shop. Harris is glad to see more shoppers from the Central Oregon cities of Bend and Redmond.

Frank Halvorsen, owner of Bad Ass Coffee Co., said that the quilt show was the best event for the first summer of his business. Halvorsen said the rodeo was second and there were "no highlights after those two."

He said tourists recognize the name of his franchise business from their visits to Hawaii. People are enjoying his Kona coffee, outdoor seating and trademark clothing line. However, Halvorsen said because Bad Ass is not in the downtown corridor, events such as the Art Stroll "didn't do a whole lot for us."

Halvorsen is enjoying his new business and added, "we'll see what winter has in store."

Nancy Wilson, who opened The Tasting Room just before summer, agreed that quilt show was "great" but adds her first season was "disappointing."

Based on her experience, she'll be making some changes including creating gift baskets and offering special events such as wine tastings. Wilson hopes to see more Sisters residents in her specialty food and wine shop but wonders if locals are in the habit of doing their shopping here or "do they tend to go to Bend?"

The lodging industry was generally more positive than retailers.

Manager of the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, Rob McConnell, said "We did very well," adding they opened 28 new suites in time for quilt show week.

"Our goal now is to improve winter business," said McConnell. He said based on his experience in the tourism industry, he thinks the Sisters Chamber does an "exceptional job" and that the events "worked well" for the community.

Vaunell Temple, innkeeper of the Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast, said business "has been climbing since 9/11."

Temple said the whole tourism industry took a hit due to the terrorist attack, which impacted her business since she sees both American and foreign visitors.

She has noticed, "The Europeans are flying again."

Temple says the lack of forest fires helped last summer also. Compared with the summer of 2003, she says, "My business is up 20 percent this summer."

Chamber director Cheryl Rhea said she is looking forward to talking with more business owners to meet their needs.

She wants to explore the untapped market of small groups, increase visitors from the "drive market" of Portland, Salem and Eugene, and she wants to increase tourism in the off season for the winter.

"There are opportunities," said Rhea.