New owner is proud of Mackenzie Creek Trading

Sue Leek, the proud new owner of Mackenzie Creek Trading Co., was outside last weekend with friend and partner Peggy Barnett busily sweeping the sidewalk and giving her apparel and outfitters emporium a proper autumn cleaning.

"Peggy and I are doing a little gardening," she said, briefly catching her breath. "Trimming and sprucing up the front entrance area. I want to plant some more bushes and plants and bring some color out. A log building is so nice to decorate and landscape up against. I have so many ideas and so little time."

Plans are also underway to install an outdoor "Sisters" canoe with oars, converted to a park bench for visitors to relax and take souvenir pictures on.

Leek purchased the business this summer from Terry and Marilyn Mumey, who had owned it since 2007. She has been a resident of Sisters since back in 1964 and worked for the Cyrus family at Aspen Lakes ever since they opened 12 years ago.

With her mind for business, Leek was their comptroller and responsible for all merchandising for their pro shop's inventory of golf sportswear and logo T-shirts.

Mackenzie Creek will undergo a few alterations and improvements over the upcoming months.

"I'd like to have a little more selection of ladies apparel, hosiery and jewelry for evenings out and special occasions now that the holidays are fast approaching," Leek said, directing some new cabinets to the back room. "But guys, we aren't forgetting you. My son Kevin Akers is a world-class archer and he'll be bringing in some of his trophy mounts for the hunters and we'll be ramping up our stock of hunting gear and camowear starting next summer."

The Mumeys thought Leek would be the perfect person to take over the store when they first placed it on the market.

"We're good friends with Sue and are so happy our store will be in capable hands," said Terry. "We plan to still stay in the Sisters area during the summer, and winter in the Southern California desert."

Mackenzie Creek has always had the look and feel of an old-fashioned Northwest outpost and upscale mercantile, and Leek wants to retain that flavor. For visitors to the Sisters area in urgent need of a forgotten outdoor item, the shelves will always be stocked with water bottles, sunglasses, warm socks, bug spray and even ski poles.

"I'll take all names and ideas from our customers to enhance and focus the inventory to accommodate special requests and changing tastes," said Leek.

"And having a little Sisters souvenir for guests to go home with as a remembrance is an important part of a satisfying tourist experience.

We'll be stocked with the usual men's flyfishing shirts, hiking pants, trail boots, cowboy hats and lots of college and Sisters logo wear.

I want to continue carrying many of the familiar outdoor brands and Western gift merchandise that Mackenzie Creek is known for, including a great selection of Columbia Sportswear, Montanaco leather coats for women and a full array of Minnetonka Moccasins in moosehide, suede and calfskin leather.

Those moccasins are really popular right now, all the college kids love them."

A room within the building called "Peggy Sue's Dance Store" will carry footwear suitable for ballroom and swing dancing, one of the few places in all of Oregon where dancers can come in and actually try shoes on.

"I've been doing competitive ballroom dancing since 2003 and it was a lifelong dream of mine to learn. My favorites are the tango and the swing," said Leek.

Leek and crew will host an open house on Saturday, November 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mackenzie Creek Trading Co. is located at 290 W. Cascade Ave. For information call 541-549-8424.