Juniper Blu owner loves connecting with people

Juniper Blu is a new independent boutique shop in Sisters next door to Hood Avenue Art. Somerli McLain now operates Juniper Blu, her second shop in the Central Oregon area.

McLain also owns and operates Maple Moon in Redmond, selling the same types of goods.

“I decided to open these stores because I love meeting new people. I love anything to do with home décor and sharing things that I am passionate about with customers,” said McLain.

Juniper Blu is a home and gift shop featuring curated gifts and some home décor items. She also sells homemade jams, jellies, and honeys.

“I try to source those items locally as much as I can, from locals who make and buy their own jams and jellies,” she said.

McLain often attends market trade shows to source items for her stores. McLain also sells kitchenware, such as kitchen gadgets, linens, like place mats, and other small kitchen items.

Visitors can indulge their sweet tooth.

“We also have chocolate truffles in our store that we will begin to sell more of,” said McLain.

Many of the goods in her store would make unique small gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and other celebratory events.

“I curate and specifically choose the types of gifts that we have based on local creations,” McLain said.

Juniper Blu features candles, bath and body care, jewelry, linens, handbags, baby gifts, cards, and more.

“We are a small store packed with a lot of things,” she said.

Marigold & True occupied the space before McLain took over the spot. The owners of the building knew her store in Redmond and asked McLain if she was willing to open a shop in Sisters.

“We have always loved Sisters,” she said. “When we moved to Oregon four years ago, we wanted to live in Sisters, but decided to settle in Redmond. It took us some time to think it over and come to the decision to open a store in Sisters, especially during this time of year (going into winter). We weren’t sure, but officially opened the store right after Thanksgiving.”

McLain works part-time at each of her stores in Redmond and Sisters, and is working on curating more goods to sell in the Sisters store.

“We are also working on having classes in the shop during the summer, such as wine-and-paint nights and other types of arts-and-craft classes in the store,” said McLain.

You can visit Juniper Blu at 351 W. Hood Ave. in Sisters. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.