By Laney Devers
Sopris Sun Intern
THE SOPRIS SUN: Is the Carbondale Strange Imports the only location?
Dave Dixon: Right now, yes. We used to have a few others. One in Vail for a few years, one in Aspen for a couple as well.
Q: How did you decide to start the store?
A: My dad was an international businessman, so growing up I met people from all over the world and became interested in travel at a young age. So when I was around 20, I began to travel to Asia and collect. Now I go on pretty much a yearly basis.
Q: Why did you name the store
Strange Imports?
A: When I wanted to start this business, I decided to sell part of my collection I had built up over the years. And my wife said it looked like I was starting to make a business out of it and that I should come up with a name for it. So I asked her what word would describe my “business” best, and she said strange. So I decided to name it Strange Imports.
Q: Where do most of the Imports
come from?
A: A lot of the furniture comes from southern China. I buy often from Thailand, but every now and then I’ll branch out to Nepal or Vietnam — places like that.
Q: When did you arrive in the area?
A: My now wife and I moved here in 1983 from Massachusetts because my friend who lived in Aspen asked me to help him open his restaurant. We planned to stay here one winter but we never left.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: Yes, I have three daughters. The youngest is nineteen, the eldest twenty seven, and the middle is twenty five.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I like to garden, backpack, travel, camp, ski and just generally be in
the outdoors.
Q: What would you say has been the most satisfying moment of your life so far?
A: Every moment of raising a family, I suppose. As for work, the most satisfying part for me is working with craftsmen and giving them an outlet to make a living off what they love.
Q: Who has had the greatest impact
on your life?
A: Maybe my dad by teaching me the worth of hard work. Or maybe my wife through her guidance. Or my brothers and sisters who have each touched me in their own ways.
Q: Do you any advice for others?
A: Do what you’re passionate about. And you’ll never get anywhere without perseverance. If I had to pick two things, those would be it.
If you know of someone who should
be featured in “Our Town,” email news@soprissun.com or call 510-3003.
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