Newport’s Famous Kite Shop: A Colorful Stop on Oregon’s Coast
There are some places in Newport that feel like they belong to the town in a deeper way than just business hours and a front door. The Kite Company is one of them. On a windy day along the Central Oregon Coast, it almost feels inevitable that a place like this would exist here—a shop built around bright fabric, salt air, steady ocean breezes, and the simple joy of watching something rise into the sky.
For many visitors, The Kite Company is more than just a store. It is part of the Newport experience. Families stop in before heading to the beach. Travelers wander through rows of colorful kites and wind toys. Serious kite flyers come looking for performance gear, parts, and advice from people who actually know what they are talking about. The shop has become one of Newport’s best-known specialty stores, and its long run on the coast is a big part of what made it famous.
The history of The Kite Company goes back decades. According to the shop, the family behind it started flying kites as a hobby in 1980, then turned that hobby into a retail kite business in 1991. Over the years, that small passion project grew into a major coastal destination for kite lovers. The company says it now has more than 6,500 square feet of retail space and describes itself as the largest kite store on the Pacific Coast, while Newport’s tourism site also highlights it as the largest kite shop in the Pacific Northwest.
That history matters because the shop does not feel like a novelty stop that popped up to catch tourist traffic. It feels established. The people behind it built the business around the Oregon Coast’s natural fit for kite flying. The store notes that it tests the kites it sells and staffs the shop with knowledgeable kite flyers who help customers match the right kite to the right conditions and experience level. That practical, hands-on approach is a big part of why the store has lasted for so long.
The location is easy to reach for anyone exploring Newport. The Kite Company is at 407 SW Coast Highway, Newport, Oregon 97365. That puts it right along one of the city’s main travel corridors, making it a convenient stop whether you are staying in town, heading toward the beach, or building a full day around Newport’s shops and shoreline. The store’s listed hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What really gives the place its character, though, is the range of products. The shop carries a broad lineup of kites, including delta kites, diamond kites, dragon kites, box kites, parafoil kites, and stunt kites, which are also called sport or trick kites. It also stocks more unusual styles, including plane kites, bird kites, and critter kites. For shoppers who want more than just a basic beach kite, the store also carries windsocks, wind spinners, and whirligigs, giving it that colorful, breeze-powered coastal-shop feel the moment you walk in.
Each type of kite appeals to a different kind of flyer. Delta kites are often a favorite for families because they are recognizable, colorful, and available in different sizes. Dragon kites stand out for their shape and visual drama. Box kites are known for climbing high when the wind is right. Parafoils are practical because they are frameless and easy to pack. Stunt kites bring in a more active side of the hobby, since they must be steered continuously and offer a more interactive flying experience. The shop’s own descriptions make it clear that this is not a one-size-fits-all inventory. It is a store built for casual beachgoers, collectors, and dedicated flyers alike.
Part of what makes The Kite Company so well known in Newport is that it fits the town so naturally. Newport is a beach community where wind is not just weather—it is part of the atmosphere. A kite shop here does not feel out of place; it feels woven into the coastal rhythm. That is probably why the business has become such a memorable stop for visitors. People may come in planning to buy a simple kite for the kids, then end up lingering among racks of bright designs, spinning decorations, and specialty gear they did not expect to find. The store’s own slogan, “We Sell Fun,” is simple, but it captures the spirit of the place pretty well.
For anyone visiting Newport, The Kite Company is one of those stops that adds a little extra color to the trip. It has history, a strong local presence, an easy-to-find location, and a product selection that goes far beyond the typical souvenir-shop version of kite flying. Whether you are a lifelong kite enthusiast or just somebody wanting to make the most of a windy day on the Oregon Coast, this shop has earned its reputation as one of Newport’s most distinctive and enduring attractions.
