Nicole Harris, owner of Nic’s Corner Bistro, has officially opened the doors to her new restaurant on the corner of Main Street in Echo, Ore. A long-time Eastern Oregon resident, Harris has deep ties to the community where she and her husband raised their two sons. “This community has grown so much since I moved here,” Harris shared. “Everybody wants to live in Echo - the community is great, the schools, and especially the people. The people in this community are so supportive.”
Before launching her restaurant, Harris balanced professional and family life by working as the office administrator for ARC Fabrication, her husband’s business in Hermiston. This part-time role gave her the flexibility to spend more time with her sons while they were in high school, allowing her to attend their sporting events and activities. With her youngest son entering his senior year, Harris felt it was time to pursue her long-standing dream of running her own business.
Her inspiration for cooking and hospitality can be traced back to her mother and grandmother, both talented cooks who passed down their knowledge. She also gained hands-on experience helping a friend with food prep as well as assisting in the operations of Farm Grounds Coffee in Hermiston and Paterson, Wash. These
experiences deepened her passion to take the next step.
Although her plans were at a pause due to the pandemic for nearly five years, Harris began designing her business plan in Sept. 2024. By April 1, 2025, she had received the keys to her restaurant space, thanks in part to Umatilla Electric Cooperative’s (UEC) Revolving Loan Fund. This funding is a self-replenishing pool of money, using interest and principal payments on existing loans to issue new ones.
Since its creation in 2007, UEC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has invested nearly $3 million into local small businesses. This initiative has helped launch new ventures and support businesses in their efforts to expand. The program has contributed to the creation of more than 70 new jobs and has helped retain over 140 positions across the region.
The impact of the RLF extends beyond individual businesses; it strengthens the overall economic vitality of Eastern Oregon. By providing entrepreneurs with access to capital, the program enhances innovation, supports local families, and sustains small towns like Echo.
With the help of her husband, family, and friends, Harris completely renovated the space to bring her vision to life. By May 2025, during the Echo Car Show, Nic’s Corner Bistro held its soft opening and welcomed over 100 customers for a handcrafted meal. Despite delays in kitchen construction, Harris officially opened the bistro on July 1, 2025, offering a limited menu while waiting on the installation of the hood system. Within weeks, the kitchen was fully operational, and Harris introduced a complete menu.
Nic’s Corner Bistro offers homemade meals prepared from scratch, with Harris sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. Madison Ranch supplies onions, Amsted Farms provides potatoes, and Echo West Fresh Farms has delivered fresh blueberries. Harris emphasizes her commitment to supporting local farmers and showcasing the best of Eastern Oregon’s produce.
In addition to food, the bistro offers a unique selection of beverages. Harris is proud to be the only establishment in Echo serving cocktails with hard alcohol. She also highlights local wines from Echo Ridge Cellars and Sno Road Winery, beer from Pendleton’s Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub, and mead wine for adventurous customers.
Designed to be cozy and welcoming, Nic’s Corner Bistro quickly established itself as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. With rotating Friday and Saturday specials, online ordering, and catering services, the restaurant has already attracted customers from across Oregon and Washington. “The support towards my business is a reminder that I am doing the right thing,” Harris said.
From vision to reality, Nic’s Corner Bistro reflects Harris’s dedication to food, family, and her hometown of Echo. With a foundation built on fresh, local flavors and the backing of her supportive community, Harris has created more than a restaurant - she has established a place that feels like home.
To learn more about our Revolving Loan Fund, visit our Business Services page.