In 2017, Sopris Sun reporter John Colson began an annual tradition by which to measure economic trends in Carbondale. Noting a lack of data in regards to the town’s commercial inventory, he set out to establish a baseline with an “admittedly informal, unscientific and quite possibly incomplete survey of the different nodes of retail and […]
business
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Pitch event invests millions in rural Colorado
The Greater Colorado Pitch Series (GCPS) is still accepting applications, but prospective businesses have no time to delay because the deadline to apply is June 10. Kiki Hooton is the event coordinator for GCPS. “I”m here to pull off the logistics of the event,” she told The Sopris Sun. “Also, if there is a founder […]
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More space means new possibilities for Independence Run & Hike
Brion After, longtime owner of Independence Run & Hike (IRH), breathed a small sigh of relief while looking around his store’s new location the night before reopening on May 5. “We’re in and it feels so good,” After said. “I’ve put a lot of time, energy and money into it, and it’s so nice to […]
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L’Orto Farm to Table serves up local culinary comfort
It is slowly starting to feel like spring in the Roaring Fork Valley, which means fresh produce is on the horizon, and culinary creatives everywhere are busy gathering supplies and ideas to revamp their seasonal menus. Among those creatives is Josie Cruz, owner of L’Orto Farm to Table. L’Orto, which is the Italian word for […]
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A big phat buy in Bonedale
On Jan. 1, 2022, a year of talks culminated in the sale of Mark Fischer and Lari Goode’s Phat Thai restaurant to local Eric Mitchell and his talented but silent business partner. An alluring anchor on Main Street since December 2003, Phat Thai has long been a congenial, social crossroads; a place to gather over […]
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Garcia’s Market: a community anchor
Editor’s note: By popular demand, this feature that debuted in el Sol del Valle (Sept. 9) has been translated into English for The Sopris Sun. One could say that Carbondale’s restaurant-store Garcia’s Market is a community anchor. Every day, they welcome customers from all throughout the Valley coming for the specialty products and made-from-scratch meals. […]
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New York Pizza rises to the occasion
Need a fresh reason to brave the big-box development on 133? Well, there’s a new “slice of local” on Highway 133 to support! Aspen and El Jebel’s New York Pizza is tossing the dough and spreading sauces at their newest eatery, a few doors north of City Market and next to the new Ming’s Cafe […]
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Who are the Huerta brothers?
There’s a new thrift store in town, overflowing with treasures. From antique furniture and decorative chandeliers to jewelry, vintage electronics, kitchen supplies and, of course, plenty of clothing. Huertas Brothers replaced what was previously Back Door Consignment, tucked behind Axkawa (Señor Taco Show) and Granetta Panini at Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue in Carbondale. “Opening […]
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C’dale commercial occupancy down but not dire
Last year’s freeze is thawing, and the local business scene seems to be emerging mostly intact. Our annual commercial inventory found just 10 fewer operating storefronts and offices than last year. Yes, that’s a negative trend, but with the pending demolition of the Sopris Shopping Center reducing the overall number of units at the same […]
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Inventor rides waves of opportunity
It may appear that Chris Karol’s life has taken a circuitous route. Looking closer, you will see that each turn has led to a series of connected pathways. The year 1982 would see the first official snowboard competition, the National Snow Surfing Championships (later known as the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships), held at Vermont’s Suicide […]