05/25/2026
Ter Har’s is Celebrating 75 Years in Business Today…
Founded by Bud & Jean TerHar, May 25th 1951
A little History of how it all started,
The TerHar name became known in Seaside in 1951, when Bud and Jean moved from Seattle Washington and bought the Merriman Hotel at 27 Broadway. In addition running the three-story hotel, the TerHar’s also operated a gift store located on the ground floor of the hotel. Prior to moving to Seaside, Bud and Jean had been in the gift business working as traveling salesmen for a gift company in Seattle by the name John A Peterson Company.
The first seven years they lived in the back of the store. While Jean rented rooms in the hotel and operated the gift shop, Bud worked two other jobs selling cars at a local Ford dealership and selling furnaces for an oil distributor to help pay the bills.
A few years later the TerHar’s began adding clothing to the gift shop, soon after that, the store became predominately clothing. Because the back-room apartment was, according to Bud “too valuable of possible additional retail space to be living in,” the TerHar’s moved in 1958 to a house in Gearhart, where Jean still lives today. Bud passed away in 2009.
The Original Store known for the black and white awnings was torn down when the Trendwest Resort was built in 2001. But the TerHar’s retained ownership of the first floor of the building on the Broadway side and continue to operate the store there, along with renting out the other storefronts to several other businesses.
In addition to the Seaside store, through the years there have been stores in Astoria and Long Beach Washington. In 1991, the TerHar’s opened their Cannon Beach Store, which continues to operate today in the center of downtown Cannon Beach.
TerHar’s has always been operated by family. So far there have been three Generations and looking forward to the possible fourth generations growing old enough soon. As Bud and Jean worked toward retiring in the mid 80’s, their two sons Peter & Jeff along with their wives took over operation of the stores. All of Bud and Jeans grandchildren have worked in the stores over the years. Today, TerHar’s is owned and operated by Jeff & Paivi TerHar, and their daughters Kaisa & Tessa.
As we Celebrate 75 years of business in Seaside, We would like to let all of our many employees over the years, past and present know we couldn't have done it without their dedicated contribution to our business. And last but not least, a “BIG Thank You” to all the many customers and friends that have been there supporting us through 75 Great Years.
Thanks Again,
The TerHar Family.
