REDMOND BUSINESS
Kristy Barton, owner of The Muddy Merch Co.
For the Spokesman
it’s also a wide variety of different shops.
“This block right here, which I’ve heard people call the
north block, we have shopping for every age range and men
and women,” said Kristy Barton, owner of The Muddy Merch
Co. at 231 SW Sixth Street.
Barton said because of Redmond’s shopping diversity,
families can enjoy the day walking through town together.
To her, that makes Redmond stand out from other commu-
nities.
From restaurants and breweries to clothing shops and
cafes — and even Barton’s hat and leather shop — she says
Redmond has something to interest every member of the
family.
Aside from the variety, Barton notes that the Redmond
business community is supportive of one another. Other
shop owners buy from her and she buys from them. It’s a
cycle that keeps this close-knit group going.
“The Redmond community has just been amazing,” Bar-
ton said. “That has been the most impactful thing for us.”
One of the newer business owners is Christie Chapucci.
She opened Atomic Bazaar Vintage in May 2021. As a new
owner on the block, she has already felt that community
support.
Chapucci used to live in Redmond and her youngest son
is in school in Redmond. When she was thinking about
opening her business, she already knew Redmond was the
place to operate it. She was drawn back to the Hub City
because of the town and the people. Plus, she likes the
small-town charm that is very much up-and-coming.
“With all the new businesses coming in, it’s becoming
more of a destination place
than a pass-through to go to
Bend,” said Chapucci.
That’s evident in the flow
of traffic. Sande said 30
years ago if you were on
Highway 97, everyone would
be driving to Bend for work
and play. But now, traffic is
going in both directions.
One reason behind the
increased traffic is because
of the job growth and large
employers relocating to
Redmond.
Illinois-based Medline
Renewal, a globally rec-
“With all the
ognized medical device
reprocessing company, is
new businesses
one of the larger businesses
coming in, it’s
that has contributed to local
becoming more
job growth. Right now, the
company employs about 265
of a destination
in Redmond employees with
place than a
an expansion on the way.
Steve Bettis, vice pres-
pass-through to
ident of operations, said
go to Bend.”
Medline does not have final
— Christie Chapucci,
numbers on the expansion
owner of Atomic Bazaar
yet. But the increase in
Vintage
capacity will bring in new
Submitted photo
customers which will lead to
more employees.
“Redmond is very pro-busi-
ness,” Bettis said. “They understand the benefits of busi-
ness and that really sets Redmond apart. All the communi-
ties in Central Oregon are great, but Redmond really worked
hard on that.”
Bringing Dave Benson, chairman and cofounder of BasX,
to Redmond was decades in the making. He said the city
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