Well, some folks said it would never happen (and some Sisters purists wish it never had), but the town's first discount retailer opened its doors today. And judging by the hefty crowds at the new Bi-Mart, plenty of folks in Central Oregon couldn't wait to see this new addition for themselves.
Even before Ray's Food Place moved into its new location next-door last November, speculation ran rampant about what would happen to the former Ray's mammoth storefront. Soon, Eugene-based Bi-Mart was mentioned as the front-running candidate. Many locals had a hard time believing that was possible.
Certainly, the regional big-box discount retailer -- which boasts everything from a pharmacy, photo/sound department, housewares, sporting goods, automotive parts, hardware, health and beauty products, toys, clothing, furniture and shoes to beer, wine and food -- is a dramatic departure from the norm for our fair town (for one, shoppers are required to "join" via a $5 lifetime membership).
Sisters is most known as a quaint frontier-themed tourist town, dotted with locally stocked art galleries, antiques shops and upscale clothing boutiques. Here, the installation of the town's first fast-food restaurant was a hotly debated controversy for a good long while. Not surprisingly, some residents weren't too keen on the arrival of Bi-Mart.
But those budget-minded folks who live here year-round who've had to drive 30 miles to Bend or 20 miles to Redmond to find competitively priced household goods (many of which weren't available in Sisters at any price) finally have a local alternative, which is a good thing. So is the repurposing of an abandoned 20,000-square-foot storefront that anchors a once-vital shopping center and the creation of some much-needed jobs.
So, welcome Bi-Mart. Let the bargain-hunting begin.
Below are a few photos from today's opening:
About the Author:
Lisa Broadwater is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing and selling homes, especially in Sisters, Tumalo, Redmond and Bend. If you'd like to learn more about real estate in Sisters or Central Oregon, please visit www.CentralOregonHome4You.com.
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