New Downtown Shop to Peddle Skis/Bikes/Beers/Coffee from former gallery

It's official—the lovely city-owned historic building formerly known as the Mirror Pond Gallery will soon have a new tenant.

Bend's David Marchi, an experienced mountaineering, heli-ski and cycling guide, is opening Crow’s Feet Commons, a backcountry ski/boutique bike shop that will also serve coffee and beers in The Rademacher House, which was the former home of Arts Central. Marchi signed a lease Sept. 21.

This is great news for three reasons.

For one, it puts a true outdoors shop in downtown Bend, which should provide balance to the art galleries, restaurants and bars. Secondly, beer and coffee are involved and we like both of those things. A lot. Finally, with more regular foot traffic and extended hours, the shop should help mitigate the petty crime and loitering that has plagued the common area adjacent to the building for some time.

Marchi says he hopes he can bring some backcountry culture into his shop and give enthusiasts a place where they can learn, discuss and meet up both before and after adventures.

“I see a culture that is lacking a little,” says Marchi. “I want to give them what they're going to need to get off Bachelor and into the backcountry.”

Because coffee and beer go hand in hand with the start and finish of any good outing, Marchi plans on serving Stumptown espresso in his Euro-style cafe as well beers, kombucha and energy drinks—all of which will be on tap inside his store.

“I want to create an environment where people can come in and not feel pressured to buy,” says Marchi, who adds that his carefully curated inventory will serve those seeking the best of the best.

“It's not going to be your average retail experience,” Marchi says.

Crow's Feet should be open for business by Oct. 20, but Marchi says he'd like to have at least the cafe portion of his shop opened by Oct. 11 so “the BendFilm crowd will have a place to hang out.”

The longtime guide says he hopes to be fully operational by Oct. 26—in time for the Halloween Cross Crusade cyclocross races on Oct. 27 and 28.