Coffee Bear Silverton

Who doesn’t love a nice cup o’ joe in the morning, afternoon, or evening?

Since 2016, Coffee Bear has provided countless cups of coffee and memorable experiences for locals, tourists, and everyone in between.

Holly and Sophie were working as baristas at the coffee shop when it went up for sale. After serious consideration, they decided that it “just felt right to buy it together.”

Despite the craziness of 2020, Holly and Sophie persisted in their plan to buy the business. They attended the SBDC’s “Starting Your Business Workshop,” which they found very helpful. 

Finally, on September 1, they took ownership. 

They love the business because it provides a way to create meaningful, consistent employment in Silverton. “In Silverton, we are one of the few businesses that stay open all year long with consistent hours, so no matter the season, you’ll be caffeinated!”

Their journey to ownership hasn’t been without its struggles. In the past two months alone, they trained an entire staff at once, had their trash trailer stolen, watched a steam wand combust, battled leaky espresso machines, and navigated the Great Croissant Shortage of 2020. “There are also a bunch of little things, about a million a day, but they make for a good laugh!”

They are exceptionally proud of their team who “crush it daily.” Although they were all trained at the same time, they now work together like a well-oiled machine. They say, “It’s super cool to watch and be part of!”

Both Holly and Sophie love walking into the shop every day and seeing people happily drinking coffee. “Knowing that you are part of their experience feels really good, every time,” they said.

Through it all, they’ve been grateful to have so much support from locals, friends, and family. “That’s what it’s all about — community and a place where friends and neighbors can come drink coffee, catch up, and be together.”

“We have had a lot of small business owners reach out, and that has helped immensely: Jen and Chase at the Outdoor Gear Exchange; Brian McEachron, Joel Hayes, Sean Clark, and the whole Steamworks Brewing Co. Team; Katherine and Ben at Durango Coffee Company; Jack at San Juan Expeditions; Casey and Austin at Avalanche Brewing Co.; Ian Tanner — who trained us when we first started at the Coffee Bear and lost his hair for us; and Hannah from SBDC. Most importantly — Inga Mcfadden and Lucky Schlade, the previous owners, for their endless advice, training, love, and support, which is worth more than anything in the world. Wow, there are so many people! We are really really lucky to have all the people and support we do!”Although they consider themselves newborn business owners, Sophie and Holly offer this advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs: “Jump on in; the water’s fine! Drink lots of coffee!!!!!!!!!!”

Sticks and Stones

While Tim and Micki Hassemer waited for the perfect retail location on Main Ave. to become available, they were lucky enough to secure retail space at the entrance to Four Leaves Winery. During the one-and-a-half years they occupied that space, they met with former SBDC Executive Director, Joe Keck numerous times. The couple moved here from Los Angeles and Tim chuckles, “It’s a little different here. We had to learn the rules and requirements for

Read More »
The Wigglin’ Pig: Where the Food Tells Its Story

After years of working in various restaurants, Ernie Padilla decided he was ready to open his own business. Food trucks were fairly new to Cortez, and he knew they would be a hit. So, in 2018, he opened The Wigglin’ Pig. After finding success, he was ready to grow and added a brick and mortar establishment to the mix. Both the truck and restaurant serve American BBQ food with a variety of delicious favorites ranging

Read More »
Durango Primary Care

Sometimes, there is beauty in tradition. At least Dr. Adam Owens of Durango Primary Care thinks so. After more than a decade of practicing medicine in modern healthcare settings, Dr. Owens knew he needed a change. He wanted to get back to an old-fashioned business model that allowed him to spend more time working directly with his own patients. He decided to open a direct primary care clinic (also known as a concierge clinic). Under

Read More »
James Ranch Grill

Cynthia Stewart’s entrepreneurial story is one that brought her around full circle.   The values instilled in her childhood were reinforced and focused on the establishment of the James Ranch Grill.  Cynthia is the daughter of Kay and David James, the founders of James Ranch, and one of five siblings.  The ranch was established in 1961 in the Animas Valley north of Durango.  As a child, she was taught how to care for animals, as well

Read More »
San Juan Trading Post

By Malia Durbano Ryan, Tom and Ellen Beavers are all partners in San Juan Trading Post, a new business that opened in Pagosa Springs in October of 2013. Parents Tom and Ellen live in Pagosa and develop properties there. Son Ryan was managing a pawn shop in Ohio. When Tom and Ellen looked around, they realized there wasn’t a pawn shop in Pagosa and thought it might be a good place to open one. Ryan

Read More »
Rx Grazing Services : Targeted Grazing

What would you do with 750 nanny goats? How about using them for fire mitigation, controlling woody encroachment, and treating oak brush and invasive species? For the past three years, Rx Grazing Services LLC has been moving their herd of goats across the Four Corners Region to do just that. The company has had projects from the La Sals in Utah to the San Juans in Southwest Colorado. Rx Grazing Services LLC requires a minimum

Read More »
Skip to content