Deborah Berhó and her husband started selling sweaters that her husband’s
mom knit from her home in Chile in 1988. But they went to college, found
careers and the sweater business took a backseat.

In 2018, the pair returned to selling sweaters and more at fairs and other
events with their business, Los Andes Shop, while also setting up shop in
Government Camp during the summer. This year, they will be back at the Mt.
Hood Cultural Center & Museum’s plaza between Saturday, June 18 and
Monday, Sept. 5, offering a variety of handmade textiles, including sweaters,
jackets, blankets, couch throws, hammocks, hoodies and more, featuring
various themes, such as southwestern, sasquatch and Mount Hood.
“We are excited to be in that location this coming summer,” said Berhó, who
has a PhD in Latin American history.

The textiles they offer include many from the town of Otavalo in Ecuador, and
Berhó notes that the area has been known for its production of fabric for
centuries, ever since Spain's occupation of the country. The hoodies they offer
feature a blend of alpaca and acrylic, making them very soft, yet washable,
while they have also added items featuring Bigfoot, including trucker hats and
blankets, thanks to how popular the big beast is

Berhó noted that their relationships with the people who make the textiles is a
high priority, including supporting many women who get to work at home
while taking care of their children and earning a living.

“It is special,” Berhó said, adding that she and her husband usually travel
down to Ecuador in the spring. “We try to honor them and know them as
people, and that’s really fun, too.”

Their relationship with the Mountain is also important, and Berhó noted that
they have appreciated the open arms the community has offered them.

“We have made a lot of good relationships with people on Mountain,” she said.
“We have people that come back that get a new (blanket) each year.”

Los Andes Shop will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.
For more information, find them on Facebook or visit
https://losandesshop.com.