What’s Up The Dalles: Downtown shop owner reflects on business challenges, growth, and revitalization

Aug 7

Written By Columbia Community Connection

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 7, 2025 — As downtown The Dalles continues to grow with new energy and businesses, one Main Street shop owner is reflecting on how far the city has come — and how hard it still is to thrive.

Kanya Kramer, owner of Terra Cotta Gorge Co., a women’s clothing boutique on East Second Street, joined host Cynthia Kortge on the August episode of “What’s Up, The Dalles,” a podcast focused on local events and businesses. Kramer spoke about her journey from studying apparel design in Portland to launching her store in 2018 with help from a small business loan through MCEDD.

“I always sort of wanted to have my own brand, and I loved fashion,” Kramer said. “I also saw a real need for clothing in The Dalles after J.C. Penney closed.”

Terra Cotta began in a space a third of the size of her current location, and Kramer said slow, intentional growth helped her business stay resilient — even through the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that followed.

But now, the apparel industry is shifting again, and so are consumer habits. Kramer described facing rising costs due to overseas tariffs and decreased foot traffic in 2024. She said sales are down 30% compared to the previous year.

“It’s been tough,” she said. “I’ve had to decrease the amount of merchandise in the store, move things around to make it feel full, and I’m doing big sales just to make room for fall inventory.”

Terra Cotta will participate in a downtown sidewalk sale the weekend of Aug. 24-25, with 20% off clothing and shoes, and deeper discounts likely to follow.

Despite the difficulties, Kramer said she remains committed to downtown.

“I’ve always just wanted to be downtown with other small business owners,” she said. “We’ve created a little community.”

That community is expanding. The Rose Building will soon welcome Shadowbrook Winery, and the city’s wine walk on Saturday, Aug. 9, will feature 16 wineries and tasting stops throughout downtown. The walk begins at Sunshine Mill at 4 p.m., with check-in starting at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and at the door.

Other revitalization efforts discussed on the podcast include new apartments above downtown storefronts, the proposed fermentation hub at the former Tony’s Town & Country, and the restoration of the Umatilla House mural. Host Cynthia Kortge also highlighted recent public art projects and updates to the Granada Theater marquee, which is now fully lit again.

Both Kortge and Kramer praised the growing number of women-owned businesses downtown and said they are hopeful that continued investment and local support will help reverse economic headwinds.

“Even if only half of these projects get finished, it’s a pretty good sign of momentum,” Coursey said.

“What’s Up, The Dalles” is available at cccnews.com and aims to spotlight local people, events, and efforts making a difference in the community.