This holiday season, locals are encouraged to shop… well, local. As part of that tradition, and in encouragement of Small Business Saturday, The Montrose Business Times asked several local business owners why they love doing business here in Montrose and what they’re thankful for this holiday season.
One of those business owners was David Fishering of Storm King Distilling Co.
Fishering and his family moved here nine years ago from Washington, D.C., so he says they didn’t have much choice but to open a business where he lives.
But, he’s grateful he is here now for a number of reasons, not least of which is that it was here he crafted the world’s best American whiskey, named so at the 2023 World Whiskey Awards.
“Our dollar went a lot further here nine years ago, whether it does now what it does now or not different story, I think, but when we moved here nine years ago, yeah, it was just a better, better place for us to start a family,” Fishering said. “And so that’s why we chose here. And then, as far as the business, I mean, the distillery wouldn’t have happened if we still live in Washington DC. Like I wouldn’t be owning like I wouldn’t be running a distillery and so for a lot of reasons, but one of those being the climate here.”
The Colorado climate changes often, meaning whiskey can age faster as barrels contract and expand, which makes Colorado a great place to distill whiskey.
But aside from that, a huge boom in Montrose growth has contributed to good business.
“We we got a lot of tourists in this area that were trying to escape the place that they live, and so they ended up here. We all talk about that now,” he said. “You know, the ‘stay here play everywhere,’ trying to get people to come here and everything else. But during COVID is when we actually finally saw that really happen. And then it’s been like every year since then. It’s been the same thing.”
Supportive regulars and Montrose lifers have been very important as well, he said.
“When it’s not tourist season, we have a very good group of regulars and support within the community. And so we don’t want you know that if we were in a big city or what. We probably wouldn’t have made it,” he said. “But we, I think, have more regulars and more dedicated people who want to see us succeed here that come in multiple times a week, every week, because they want to make sure that we’re still here.”

Longtime business stays in the family
Hunter’s Barbershop has been around more than 60 years. The current owner saw her father own the business for five years before she purchased it.
Brooke Morrison acquired the business from her dad, Josh Bailey.
There, she cuts hair every weekday and is usually business from the time it opens to the time it closes.
That’s because much of the clientele that visits the shop has been going since her dad owned the shop before her, and the previous owner before that, who owned the business for 61 years.
“I‘d say honestly the word of mouth is amazing how the community can just work together and really spread the word about business. So you can trust people like that here,” she said.
She is proud to be able to carry on a business that is so engrained into the fabric of downtown Montrose. The shop has looked very similar for a really long time, even though it’s changed hands.
“It feels really good to carry on into the next generation and to, you know, talk to the people about how they had been cut by the previous people in the shop,” she said. “And everyone talks about how they’ve had good experiences over the years and they love that it’s been kept to its original (name and look).”

Sports bar owners love support
and how it enables them to give back
Adrian Alvarez and Christine Cox, co-owners of Sidelines Sports Bar in Montrose, have only been in business for a few years, but they enjoy giving back to the local community, specifically local athletics teams.
Owning the sports bar enables them to do that.
“What we love about having the business in the community is that we’re able to give back and help community organizations, and Montrose athletes excel,” Cox said. “We wouldn’t be able to do that if we didn’t own this business.”
Cox also talked about what many business owners talk about —how Montrose businesses work together often to help each other succeed.
“The customers are amazing. They become family. And there are times when many of them come and ask for help, and we’re able to help them as well,” she said. “It’s a small town feel, so it’s not just our business but all the businesses and how they bond together to help the community out. We really love that about Montrose.”
There are many more stories like that of Alvarez and Cox.

More businesses share what they’re thankful for this
holiday season
Jordan and Leanna Johnson are the owners of Mosaic. They have over 40 different artists and makers who contribute to the offerings they have in their store, including a hat decorating station, a build-your-own succulent station and much, much more.
This year, they are grateful for a community growing.
“We’re thankful for the support we’ve had from the community and to be part of the growing art scene in Montrose,” they told the Montrose Business Times.
Kimberly McGeehee, owner of SheShe Boutique is most thankful this year for her staff. It’s sometimes difficult to find a good staff, but McGeehee’s is top-notch, she said.
“I am thankful for a great staff and that we have fun when we’re working. Customers that are so loyal to us. Most of all I’m thankful for my family–that we’re all healthy and get to see each other.
Where we really shine is when people come in we help them put together an outfit. Helping people feel comfortable in their own skin and have fun doing it. We offer women’s clothing, from everyday casual wear to special occasions. We can’t carry many choices for special occasions because it’s hard in a smalll store.”
SheShe has many items from local artists and creators and is located dowtown.
Debbie Blanchard is owner of three businesses downtown. She owns Holiday Gifts and Home Decor, D’Medici Footwear and Clothing, and Colorado-ology, all downtwon shops.
She is happy to be where she is right now.
“I am thankful for health and family,” she said. “I’m very thankful for becoming a U.S. citizen in 2020 and living in an awesome place–Montrose, Colorado.”
She is most thankful for a community that has supported her businesses, and she says she hopes to live up to the community’s expectations.
Ouray Silversmiths manager Jillian Keenan went from being a entry-level employee at Ouray Silversmiths to running much of the business there.
She studied at the Gemological Institute of America since 2009, and she’s proud of the handmade pieces the store offers.
This year, she is thankful for her “family and friends, the community, and the beautiful place we live in.”
Lizz Martensen is owner of Mauve boutique and Curiouser Books, a new downtown book store.
“We are thankful for the amount of community support we’ve gotten this year for Mauve, and since we opened the bookstore three months ago,” she said. “And especially the non-profits that we get to work with now with the sale of used books.”
Sonja Horn is owner of Fabula , voted best gift shop in the valley in 2022. She opened 11 years ago and offers all sorts of items from childrens toys, to kitchenware, to hats and shoes.
“I am thankful for my loyal customers and my amazing staff that allows me toI feel comfortable traveling with my husband,” she said.
Jessica Armbrusterat ElderAdo Financial ha a lot of reasons why she loves doing business in Montrose.
“We have been running ElderAdo Financial from Montrose for over 20 years and wouldn’t have it any other way. We appreciate the strong sense of community in Montrose, which aligns perfectly with our passion for building relationships and delivering personalized financial services,” she said. “Montrose also offers a high quality of life with breathtaking views of our beautiful mountains. It’s not only great for our clients but makes our team pretty happy as well! The lively entrepreneurial spirit and strong community ties provide fantastic networking opportunities. We love collaborating and supporting other local businesses.”

If you would like to share why you love doing business in Montrose, or what you’re thankful for, we would love to add your stories to our online story.
Just email submissions@montrosebusinesstimes.com

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260. And Mavis Bennett is a freelancer for the Montrose Business Times.