BEND, Ore. — For longtime Oregonians, the familiar glow of a Shari’s sign once meant warm pies, late-night coffee refills, and a place where countless stories were shared across laminated menus. But that chapter has officially closed — and a new one is about to begin.
According to Central Oregon Daily, the former Shari’s Café and Pies on Bend’s north side, which closed last October along with all other Shari’s locations in Oregon, will soon be home to a new Elmer’s diner. The restaurant chain has announced the move on its website, stating that the Bend location is slated to open in September.
The upcoming Elmer’s will sit just off Hwy 97, sharing a parking lot with the Bend River Promenade shopping center. While Shari’s departure left a noticeable void — especially for those nostalgic for their video lottery machines and late-night pie runs — Elmer’s promises to bring its own legacy to the table.
Shari’s exit wasn’t exactly on a high note. As we had reported earlier this year, the Oregon Lottery revealed the chain owed more than $900,000 when it shuttered its doors. So far, just $430.77 of that debt has been repaid, and the rest has been sent to collections.
The other Shari’s location in Bend, near Walmart on the south end of town, still sits empty — its future uncertain.
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Founded in Portland in 1960 as Elmer’s Colonial Pancake House, the now simply named Elmer’s has grown into a regional staple with locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Arizona. Known for hearty breakfasts, classic comfort food, and a family-friendly vibe, Elmer’s might just be the perfect fit to help fill the gap Shari’s left behind.
As Oregon says goodbye to one well-worn diner booth, it seems another is being set — fresh coffee brewing, pancakes on the griddle, and another chapter waiting to be written.
