Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A longtime specialty store in Bend’s Old Mill District is getting a new name. But those involved say the spices, the people and the product quality will remain largely unchanged.
The Bend Savory Spice franchise, which has been owned and operated by Matt Perry for 15 years, is rebranding as Top Hat Spice Shop. The change, which will be finalized in May, reflects a shift toward a more locally focused identity while maintaining the same spice suppliers, staff and in-store experience customers have come to love and expect.
“We’ll still be rooted in Savory Spice and still get all of our spices and blends from them, so the quality won’t change,” Perry said. “The biggest difference is that we’ll now be able to create more of our own blends, have our own website, and build more of a local Oregon brand.”
As part of the rebrand, many of the store’s spice blends will receive new, Oregon-inspired names. For example, Capitol Hill Seasoning will become Old Mill Seasoning, Cherry Creek Seafood Seasoning will be called Haystack Rock Seafood Seasoning, and Black River Creole will be renamed Green Wave Creole Seasoning, a nod to Bend’s river wave.
In keeping with honoring local iconic places, other blends will carry names such as Obsidian Southwest, Hood River Peach Spice, Black Butte Ranch Rub, and Mt. Bachelor Seasoning Salt.
The new name, Top Hat Spice Shop, is also a nod to the local store. Perry has worn a locally made custom hat in the shop for years, becoming something of a recognizable figure to customers.
“If people don’t know my name, they know ‘the spice guy in the hat,’” Perry said. “It’s kind of a throwback to the old days, when you could tell what someone did by the hat they wore. The idea of a neighborhood shop is really important to me.”
The rebrand will also introduce a new website, tophatspice.com, that will allow customers to order directly from the shop for shipping or local pickup. The Top Hat Spice Shop name will also extend to Perry’s Sellwood location in Portland, bringing both spice stores together under one Oregon-based brand.
“Now customers can order online and it comes from us, the same people they talked to in the store,” he said. “For locals who don’t always have time to come down to the Old Mill, they’ll be able to order online and pick it up here, at their convenience.”
Old Mill District Marketing Director Beau Eastes said the rebrand reflects both continuity and growth for one of the district’s longest-serving retailers.
“Matt has built a loyal following over the years, and this rebrand gives him the flexibility to put more of a local stamp on the shop while keeping everything customers already love,” Eastes said. “It’s the same great store, just with a new name and a more local flavor.”
While some product labels have already transitioned to the Top Hat Spice Shop brand, customers will continue to see new labels and signage leading up to their grand reopening celebration, scheduled for Saturday, May 16.
The event will feature samples, product demonstrations, giveaways, and a chance for customers to learn more about the Top Hat Spice Shop brand. Additional details can be found at Top Hat’s Instagram page, @tophatspiceshop.
“Same great spices, same great people,” Perry said. “We just get to have a little more fun with it now.”
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ABOUT THE OLD MILL DISTRICT Once home to one of the largest sawmill operations in the world, the Old Mill District has evolved into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic mixed-use destinations. With spectacular views, an extensive trail system, and over 60 local and national businesses, the district offers an unmatched experience for shopping, dining, living, and working in Central Oregon. Learn more at www.oldmilldistrict.com.
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