Back to School: Bend shopping options from apparel to supplies as online prices rise
Kelsey Merison
(Update: Adding video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer winds down, one thing is top of mind for many children and parents: the 2025-26 school year!
With the school year right around the corner, many are flocking to shops to pick up last-minute items–from supplies to new clothes, and everything in between.
In Bend, there are many spots to choose from to get your shopping done.
Old Mill shopping map
“A lot of great options for whether you’re sending your three-year-old to their first year of preschool to you’re a college freshman. Wild Child has a bunch of great kids’ stuff, Gap as well…Confluence Fly Shop. Maybe some people don’t think about it, but there’s some great hats, some great backpacks, just some great overall gear. REI, you’re looking to get a great backpack for your kid…Savory Spice, too, is a great spot for if you’re sending kids off to college. They’ve got their spice and easy meal kits and also just spices,” said Beau Eastes, the marketing director for the Old Mill. “Then Vanilla and Hello Sunshine, just great locally-owned boutique clothing stores that are always mixing (it) up…They’ve got a lot of new styles and new fashions coming in.”
Beau Eastes
Along with the Old Mill, spots like the Bend Factory Stores and Downtown Bend offer a great selection for apparel and supplies.
“Teenagers especially love back-to-school shopping in Downtown Bend. With so many locally owned shops, it’s the perfect place to find fun, unique styles that you won’t see anyone else wearing,” said Rachel O’Rourke, the executive director of the Downtown Bend Business Association.
According to CNN, online prices for apparel and accessories like shoes, bags and belts surged 9% year-over-year in July, and a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that prices of educational books and supplies increased 9.4% from May 2024 to May 2025.
If you haven’t checked back-to-school shopping off your to-do list yet, now is a great time–as many local stores are about to mark down prices for Labor Day Weekend sales!