Bend has acquired many anticipated brands, such as the recently completed Cracker Barrel (20512 NE Robal Lane), Olive Garden Italian Restaurant (63459 N. Highway 97) and Trader Joe’s (63455 N. Highway 97).(Ryan Brennecke/Bulletin photos)

It’s been 11 years since Trader Joe’s opened its grocery store in the Cascade Village shopping center in Bend, but Dianne Marr remembers well the anticipation among locals.

“I didn’t know what the big deal was about because I’m not from California,” the 76-year-old Bend resident said as she exited the store with a bag of groceries.

Sandwich maker Chick-fil-A — another hyped chain which Marr heard about from her grandson — and a second Chipotle Mexican restaurant are due to join Cracker Barrel restaurant at Robal Road Village, a new shopping center across North U.S. Highway 97 from Cascade Village. “With all this coming,” Marr said, gesturing cross the highway, “We’re pretty well taken care of.”

Yet there are more retailers looking to plant a flag in Bend and consumers who think Central Oregon is not complete without In-N-Out Burger or Nordstrom. Both of those companies were highly ranked by readers of The Bulletin who responded to a survey in 2007 about which brands they most wished would establish a presence here.

Bend went on to land three of the top 10 — Trader Joe’s, Olive Garden and Whole Foods — a decade or more ago.