Debbie Berhó and her husband have been offering a variety of handmade
textiles through popup shops and at summer events in recent years, including
up in Government Camp. As they considered a location for a potential retail
space, it became clear that the Mountain community was calling.

“We felt very welcome,” Berhó said. “We already feel like we have some
connection with a lot of the people in the Mountain.”

Last month, the Berhós opened Los Andes Shop in the Hoodland Plaza, 68212
Hwy. 26 in Welches, offering sweaters, jackets, blankets, couch throws,
hammocks, hoodies and more that feature southwestern and western themes.
A Grand Opening celebration will be held Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1-4,
where the first five customers each day will receive a gift along with their
purchase and there will be a drawing for a $25 gift certificate for the Hoodland
Plaza merchant of the winner’s choice.

“It’s been very exciting,” Berhó said. “We’ve been thinking about it for a few
years.”

The pair began selling on the Mountain in 2019 in Government Camp, then a
popup location during the ski season in 2020-21 and at the outdoor plaza by
the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum in the summer of 2022.
Their offerings include many textiles from the town of Otavalo in Ecuador,
such as hoodies featuring a blend of alpaca and acrylic, making them very
soft, yet washable. They have also added items featuring Bigfoot, including
trucker hats and blankets, due to popularity.

At their new retail space, Berhó anticipates increasing their inventory of items
specific to the Mountain, including a windbreaker featuring an outline of Mount
Hood, while also adding heavier wool items, such as mittens and gloves, to
combat the cold of winter.

“They’re not something you're going to find for sale at Costco or Fred Meyer,”
Berhó said.

She added that they prioritize their relationships with the people in Ecuador
who make the products and are not interested in carrying poorly made items.
“Neither my husband nor I are interested in purchasing something like that,”
Berhó said. “We really are dedicated and committed to the people we buy
from. We know that for many of them, the orders make a difference in feeding
their families. That's important to us.”

She added that they also appreciate the relationships they’ve made on the
Mountain, including watching kids at ski camps grow up through the years and
their time with the Museum.

For more information, visit https://losandesshop.com, call 503-207-3214,
email losandesshop@gmail.com or find the store on Facebook. Los Andes
Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.