Eclectic finds new home

Since opening in May 2013, Strong Tower Designs called the little storefront at 115 W. Bridge Ave. home while owners Ray and Jamie Bernal made use of the space available. One had only to walk through the door to see books, boots, handmade jewelry and countless other items ready for sale in concentrated, but well utilized, spaces. As the Bernals prepare to celebrate six years in business, they are doing so in a storefront with much more space.

The "musical chairs" of businesses that began with the move of Koyoty Sports continues as Strong Tower Designs completes its move into 104 E. Bridge, the former home of the outfitting shop. While the width of the storefront, according to Ray, is approximately the same as the former location, the length provides plenty of room for merchandise to spread out. This, in turn, allows patrons more space to navigate and find what they are looking for.

"There's things in here, even when we put them out, we look at the cases; 'Wow, look at this stuff.' We had it. We had it the whole time, we just had it so concentrated in the other place," Ray said. "I mean, I've been able to add more of ... our native rugs and blankets. We weren't able to have them in our other store because we need to keep them out of fingers touch because a lot of them are real old."

Handmade jewelry either rests in display cases, some of which made the move from the old location while others are recent additions, or along the walls of the building. Dozens of cowboy boots sit in the back of the store, books sit opposite the boots, Pendleton shirts are situated in the center, along with a display of porcelain characters ranging from hobo clowns to ducks and cats.

"I've been in this business my whole life and we've bought and sold anything and everything you can sell," said Ray.

When the space became available, it didn't take either Ray or Jamie long to think about the opportunity.

"I said 'yes.' Immediately. Asked what the rent was and the square footage and that's all we needed to know," Ray said.

While spring is just beginning to make itself felt in the Valley and tourism season is still around the corner, the Bernals say that the move has already done well for the business.

"I think the east side of downtown has got more action. Always has. It's just where it is," said Ray. "We definitely see more customer base, right off the bat."

Along with the additional customers, regular customers have stopped in and have found items once hidden due to the compact nature of the former location. One patron, according to Ray, purchased a coat they believed to be a new addition to the store, but had actually been on the rack for more than year.

"We'll be able to really refine what we're selling in here and be able to show it off a little better," Ray said.

Among those items that will be shown a little better will be additional guitars and guitar strings and restoration equipment. Strong Tower Designs, in the past, has been able to sell an extra string to musicians traveling through or antique door knobs and hinges to people restoring their house.

In addition to being the new home for Strong Tower Designs, the back of the building will eventually house Jamie's business, Beauty for Ashes, which is currently found at 112 E. Bridge Ave. This is yet another boon for the Bernals as they won't be in two separate locations and can work together throughout the year.