Cascade Trailstop Market opens in Sisters

There is a new stop on the trail through downtown Sisters.

Cascade Trailstop Market opened in the space adjacent to the downtown Shell station last week, offering convenience shopping for local folks and travelers passing through.

The market is the endeavor of Drew Herburger and Erin Chapman. Both have a food-services background. Chapman had worked in the field before taking a desk job, and Herburger is the son of Melvin Herburger, who owns Melvin's Fir Street Market. Opening their own market was a natural progression for the soon-to-be-married couple.

"It kind of came about when I got tired of sitting behind the desk all day," Chapman told The Nugget.

She and Herburger brainstormed ideas and decided to open a market that would not be as seasonal as other food-related businesses tend to be - and the space right on Cascade Avenue in the heart of town seemed perfect. It already had a kitchen, so they are able to offer hot meals as well as traditional convenience grab-and-go items.

They're offering a couple of hot-food options now and will expand the options as their capacity grows. And Chapman says that, "We're totally open to any suggestions."

That goes for all the products they offer, Herburger noted. If you want something, let Drew and Erin know and they'll do their best to get it in for you.

"We've got a running wish-list," Erin said.

In the summer, they plan to have some outdoor seating and offer options cooked on an outdoor grill.

The couple is looking to fill a niche in the market, offering grab-and-go convenience, some guilty pleasures and some healthy options. They're also going to expand a camping supply section - so that it really is a trailstop for folks heading into or out of the Sisters backcountry.

Drew points out that the market has a Cycle Town Coffee exclusive, so they're offering something a little different in a town that has lots of coffee options.

Herburger also has a small section devoted to his non-profit charity organization, Pretty Awesome Gamers. He and Chapman provide expenses-paid trips for terminally ill children to Comic Con events where they can immerse themselves in their superhero fantasies. The store will accept donations and sell Totally Awesome Gamers merchandise, which supports the cause.

"It's kind of a storefront headquarters for that as well," Drew said.

While they expect plenty of traffic from people passing through town or visiting for a few days, Chapman notes that "we're hoping for locals. That's who we want to cater to."

Cascade Trailstop Market will be open a little later than the usual roll-up-the-sidewalks time in Sisters so that people can grab a bite after a game or before heading over the pass. The market is, after all, a stop on the trail.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

• Email: editor@nuggetnews.com
• Phone: 5415499941