Sisters Coffee Co. expanding into Bend’s Old Mill District

Justin, Jesse, and Jared Durham have secured a new retail location for Sisters Coffee Co. in the Old Mill Districtphoto provided

Sisters Coffee Company is launching its third retail location in the heart of Bend’s Old Mill District, beginning October 2.

Established in 1989, the local coffee roaster will be taking over the location previously operated by Strictly Organic Coffee of Bend. Sisters Coffee Co. will temporarily operate a mobile espresso cart while the 1,200 sq. ft. space is being remodeled with a tentative completion date of mid-December.

Chief Development Officer and Co-owner Jared Durham has collaborated with Stemach Architecture for the new design and layout and CS Construction for the buildout.

“The new design will feature a glass roll-up door to maximize customer flow to the outdoor patio and offer a vast array of premium coffees that the brand is known for,” he said. “Another focal point of the menu will be specialty grab-n-go food items that will complement the walk-up customer demographic that the Old Mill is known for.”

“We’re always looking to grow our brand and grow our business and provide opportunities for our employees,” said Sisters Coffee Co. CEO Justin Durham. He said the company is “always keeping an eye on Bend; [it’s] fundamental to our growth strategy.”

A location in the Old Mill District fits with the existing cafés in Sisters and Portland’s Pearl District, because they are each what Durham calls “iconic Oregon destinations.”

“That’s what we’re excited about,” he told The Nugget.

The new retail location is not the only expansion Sisters Coffee Co. is undertaking. They will break ground in October on a new, 11,000-square-foot roasting facility on Lot No. 3 at Sun Ranch Business Park.

“We’ve grown enough to where we need to expand our roasting capacity,” Justin Durham told The Nugget last spring.

The roaster that will handle millions of pounds of coffee — a 45-kilo Probat G45 — will be shipped from Germany.

“It’s our dream roaster, Durham said. “Can’t wait to get it here. They’re like the Mercedes-Benz of roasters.”

With the expansions, Sisters Coffee Company is continuing to build toward its vision: “...furthering the legacy of a successful family-owned business and deeply rooted in the communities it serves. Sisters Coffee Co. is well-known for its consistently excellent coffee, outstanding kindness and hospitality, and exceptional workplace.”

The Durham family thanked the Sisters community for over 32 years of loyal support.

The Durhams say they are especially grateful to the company’s board of advisers, who have invested countless hours into helping them navigate the many challenges of operating a growing independent family business.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without their counsel,” said Justin Durham.

They also emphasize their gratitude to the Sisters community.

In a statement, Jared, Justin, and Jesse Durham said, “We are deeply grateful for the privilege of owning and operating a successful family business in a place as beautiful as Sisters and among people as kind and caring as our local community. Not everyone gets to return to the small town where they grew up and be part of a second-generation family business. We hope to build upon our parents’ legacy and offer that same opportunity to all employees as we continue to grow.”