If you spend any time exploring Bend, you may hear someone suggest stopping by the Box Factory. Despite the name, you won’t find many boxes being made there these days.
The Box Factory is a historic shopping and dining destination at 550 SW Industrial Way, conveniently located between downtown Bend and the Old Mill District. Inside the restored industrial buildings, you’ll find restaurants, coffee, wine and beer, local shops, outdoor gear, fitness studios, and other Bend businesses all clustered together.
It’s an easy place to spend an hour (or accidentally spend an afternoon).
Why is it called the Box Factory?
This is one Bend name that’s refreshingly literal. The Box Factory opened in 1916 as an actual box factory. During its restoration, original elements of the building were preserved, including its woodwork, columns, and recognizable mill-building cupola. NW Arizona Avenue was also transformed into a pedestrian promenade and plaza lined with storefronts.
Today, those historic buildings have been repurposed as a place for shopping, dining, drinks, and local businesses. The Box Factory has over 35 merchants listed in its current directory. So while you’re ordering ramen or shopping for hiking boots, you’re doing it inside a piece of Bend’s industrial history.
Restaurants, coffee, wine, and drinks at the Box Factory
Come hungry. Food and drinks make up a big part of the Box Factory experience, with everything from coffee and sandwiches to tacos, ramen, cocktails, and wine.
Strictly Organic Coffee
Strictly Organic is a Bend coffeehouse serving organic coffee alongside pastries, wraps, and other food. It’s an easy first stop if you’re visiting the Box Factory earlier in the day.
Valentine’s Deli
Valentine’s Deli is a locally owned sandwich shop making sandwiches and sides with fresh ingredients. It’s a good choice when you want a straightforward lunch before continuing around the Box Factory.
Fix & Repeat
Fix & Repeat focuses on lighter fare, including juices, smoothies, quinoa bowls, salads, and coffee drinks. They’re a top choice for vegans and vegetarians who want a healthy breakfast or brunch.
Papi Chulos
Craving tacos instead? Papi Chulos serves Jalisco-style Mexican food, with specialties including birria and cochinita tacos.
Miyagi Ramen
Miyagi Ramen specializes in ramen, noodles, and small plates. It’s another option when you’re looking for a full meal rather than a quick snack while exploring the Box Factory.
River Pig Saloon
River Pig Saloon brings more of a neighborhood-bar atmosphere to the Box Factory. The sports bar serves classic and creative pub food alongside drinks in an old-fashioned setting.
Stoller Wine Bar
Wine drinkers have several options at the Box Factory. Stoller Wine Bar pours more than 40 wines from Stoller’s family of brands, including Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem, Chemistry, Canned Oregon, and History.
Bledsoe Family Winery
Another top option for wine connoisseurs is the Bledsoe Family Winery. This is the sister winery to Doubleback and brings Walla Walla Valley wines to Bend.
The Bend Wine Bar
The Bend Wine Bar, from The Winery at Manzanita, serves Pacific Northwest wine along with beer, cider, snacks, and treats. In other words, deciding where to get a drink might take longer than actually getting one.
Shopping at the Box Factory
The Box Factory isn’t just somewhere to eat. Its current directory includes several shops selling everything from outdoor equipment and boots to home goods and tabletop games.
Danner Boots
The Pacific Northwest outdoor brand Danner has a shop here specializing in hiking, hunting, and work boots. If Bend is only the beginning of your Central Oregon adventure, this is an appropriate place to gear up.
The Gear Fix
The Gear Fix specializes in outdoor gear consignment and repair. Rather than automatically replacing damaged equipment, you can see if it can be repaired—or browse its selection of secondhand outdoor gear.
Pac Nor Westy
Pac Nor Westy is a Pacific Northwest lifestyle brand selling apparel and goods inspired by outdoor adventure and the nostalgia of spending time in the Northwest.
Modern Games
Modern Games is Bend’s local tabletop game store, combining board games and other tabletop games with craft beer. So yes, you can shop for a new game and have a beer while you’re at it.
Merryweather
Merryweather is a home, gift, and design shop offering statement pieces and interior design services.
Borgo Rosati
Borgo Rosati combines furniture, artwork, and other creative pieces in a gallery-like retail space, with special events providing opportunities to meet artists.
Bespoke Bride
Bespoke Bride is a full-service bridal shop offering wedding dresses as well as event design and coordination. Visits are by appointment.
There are even more businesses inside
The Box Factory is also home to a surprisingly broad collection of service, wellness, and professional businesses.
The current directory includes Pure Barre, MADabolic, Seksé Dance + Pole Fitness, West Side Barber Shop, Studio Q, Adored Tattoo Boutique, Inspired Health, Oregon Natural Desert Association, John L. Scott Real Estate, Works Real Estate, Fowler & Co., LPL Financial, and Kellcon Construction.
You probably aren’t planning your Bend vacation around visiting an accountant or real estate office, but the mix is part of what makes the Box Factory feel more like a neighborhood than a traditional shopping center.
Where is the Box Factory in Bend?
The Box Factory is located at 550 SW Industrial Way in Bend. Its location is one of the reasons it’s useful for visitors. The Box Factory sits between downtown Bend and the Old Mill District, making it an easy addition to a day spent exploring central Bend.
You don’t necessarily need to make the Box Factory the day’s main event, either. Stop for coffee, browse the shops, grab lunch, or come back later for dinner and drinks.
Stay close to the Box Factory at Bend Riverside Rentals
One of the best parts about staying near central Bend is being able to experience places like the Box Factory without making every outing a major excursion.
Bend Riverside Rentals is only a short five-minute drive from the Box Factory. Our riverfront condos give you a comfortable home base directly along the Deschutes River with full kitchens, spacious living areas, and easy access to downtown Bend and its surrounding neighborhoods. The Box Factory provides a spacious and convenient parking lot, with a QR code that you can scan in these businesses to validate for free parking.
Spend the morning by the river, head out to explore the Box Factory, grab lunch, shop for some new outdoor gear, and finish with a glass of wine or dinner before heading back to your condo.
That’s a pretty Bend way to spend a day.
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