A well-known Oregon brand is coming to Bend to begin its next chapter, according to a news release from Old Mill District:
Portland Gear, the Portland-based travel and apparel brand known for its signature “P” logo and water-resistant bags, will open its first store outside the Greater Portland area this spring in Bend’s Old Mill District.
The new shop will move into the former Wild Child space at 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., Suite 403, adding travel gear, luggage, and apparel to the district’s retail mix.
Founded more than a decade ago by Portland native Marcus Harvey, Portland Gear began with Harvey selling branded T-shirts and hats from the back of his van. The now-iconic “P” logo, which incorporates the shape of Oregon within the style of the letter, helped build a strong following in and around the Portland community.
From there, the company expanded into designing and selling waterproof backpacks, a product that helped launch the brand into the travel gear market. It also set the tone for its evolution into a full travel and lifestyle company.
Today, Portland Gear produces a wide range of products including backpacks, luggage, duffels, totes, apparel, and accessories, all designed with durability and everyday use in mind.
“We started with apparel, but our water-resistant backpack really changed everything for us,” said Kameesha Rose, Head of People and Operations for Portland Gear. “From there, we grew into luggage, travel bags, and everyday gear. We’ve always been rooted in community, and Bend felt like a natural next step for us.”
Rose said the company has been looking to expand beyond Portland and identified Bend — and specifically the Old Mill District — as the right fit.
“People in Bend love the outdoors, they travel, they’re active, [and] that aligns perfectly with what we design our products for,” Rose said. “Opening in Bend marks an exciting next step as we continue to connect with communities that value everyday function, reliability, and shared experience.”
Portland Gear’s Old Mill District space, located between Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe and Sunglass Hut, will feature their signature bags and travel gear, along with apparel and some Central Oregon-specific designs that will be available exclusively in their new Bend location. To prepare for the expansion, the company has built a full-scale mock retail space in its Portland warehouse to design and test the layout of the Bend store before remodeling begins.
For the Old Mill District, the addition of Portland Gear represents both a new retail category and the arrival of a well-established regional brand.
“They’re really an exciting addition for us,” said Beau Eastes, Marketing Director for the Old Mill District. “Their backpacks, luggage, and travel gear are a great fit for Bend and for the kind of customers we see here. And it’s a strong Oregon brand that people already recognize and trust.”
Portland Gear plans to open the Bend store by Memorial Day weekend. It is currently in the process of hiring a local team to operate the location and plans to host an official grand opening later this year.
