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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
The Daily Record
BANKER Banker said getting in the pool brings back memories of high school, but it’s a different feeling. “I had known all along that I “It certainly feels different with didn’t plan on continuing my different expectations with not swimming career past college,” swimming to make yourself more Banker said. “I made up my mind competitive,” Banker said. “Now, pretty early in my college career I don’t even make sets for myself. that whatever I wanted to accomI don’t have time intervals that plish in the pool, I would have to I’m trying to make. I don’t ever do by the time I graduated.” count my yardage. I just get in Banker said after his time in and swim. It’s more liberating to Washington, it was time for a litjust get in and swim for the sake tle bit of a break from competing. of swimming, not necessarily for “And getting married, it defianything else.” nitely changed things,” he said. “I He said he still swims laps, and just recently started getting back occasionally will push himself, in the water and swimming in the but he simply stops when he says pool here at University of VerCourtesy Photo he’s had enough. mont.” Aside from his occasional And even now that he’s back in Jonathan Banker and his wife, swim, Banker stays busy in the the pool, it’s not the grind-it-out Amy, were married in 2009. The classroom and with married life. style that won him his accolades couple moved to Vermont in June He also enjoys mountain biking, in the preps and collegiate ranks. so he could get his doctorate in and said Vermont’s scenery offers “I just recently started taking physical therapy. a great place to do it. up swimming again,” Banker “I really enjoy spending time said. “After my last race at with my wife and getting to exNCAAs, I had pretty much stayed I just do it for fun now. I don’t compete I just do it for my own plore Vermont,” Banker said. out of the water for over a year. “It’s a really beautiful state and I “I’ve changed the expectations. enjoyment.”
Continued from Page 22
really like mountain biking so I’ve been doing a lot of that out here. Vermont is a really beautiful place so it’s a good opportunity to come out here for three years. It’s a good chance to enjoy a different part of the country.” Banker has seen a lot with high school near the Rocky Mountains, four years of college in the far northwest, and now residing in the northeast corner of the country. He said he’s not sure what postcollege will bring for him and Amy, who he started dating during his junior year of high school when she attended Coronado High School in Colorado Springs. “There aren’t any definite plans as of now, but we’re definitely thinking about going back to Colorado and being closer to friends and family, but we have no idea exactly right now,” Banker said. “We’re just enjoying where we’re at, but it definitely wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities to be back in Colorado.”
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 23
‘She’s Pretty Miraculous’ Since near fatal shooting, Brady continues her steady road to recovery
E
Alicia Brady Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Alicia Brady looks at one of the hundreds of cards that she received while she was in the hospital at her home in 2009. Brady spent 41 days in a Tucson, Ariz., hospital after being shot in a drive-by shooting.
By Carie Canterbury
leven people were involved in seven shootings in Tucson, Ariz., the night Alicia Brady was shot in a drive-by shooting Oct. 11, 2008. After enduring the fight for her life and working hard to complete her college education, Alicia, 23, continues to make slow, steady strides on her road to recovery. Missing almost a year of schooling, Alicia carried a full class load, as well as summer school and online classes last year to be able to catch up and graduate with her class from the University of Arizona on May 13, 2010. Alicia received her bachelor of fine arts in dance. Parents Randy and Dena Brady said their daughter is nothing short of a miracle. Courtesy Photo “She’s pretty miraculous,” Randy Alicia Brady, who was injured in said. a drive-by shooting in 2008, There were severgraduated from the University of al instances when Arizona on May 13, 2010. She Dena said they didn’t know if their received her bachelor of fine daughter would sur- arts in dance. vive, especially since the survival rate is less than one percent for the initial injury Alicia sustained. Nine surgeries later, she continues to train and dance about five to six hours a day. Her last surgery was in August. “She’s kind of had a tough time coming back this time,” Dena said. “It has been real hard on her, and
See BRADY / Page 25
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The Daily Record
Jonathan Banker
Where Are They Now? Courtesy Photo
Jonathan Banker competes for University of Washington swim team in 2008. The Cañon City native finished 49th in the nation at the Olympic swim trials in 2008 in Omaha, Neb. Banker and his wife, Amy, moved to Vermont in June so he could get his doctorate in physical therapy. He’s expecting to graduate in 2013.
Back in the Pool After years of competing, Banker now takes a dip for the enjoyment of it
S
ix years after winning numerous state championships as a member of the Pueblo Centennial swim team, 2005 graduate from Cañon City High School Jonathan Banker is back in the pool. But not like that. Nowadays, he just does it for fun. Banker and his wife, Amy, moved to Vermont in June so he could get his doctorate in physical therapy. He’s expecting to graduate in 2013. Because Cañon City High School doesn’t have a swim
program, Banker swam for the Bulldogs before going to the University of Washington in the fall of 2005. After his four years of swimming in Seattle, Banker held five school records, three of which were for individual events and two for relays. He qualified for the NCAA tournament after his senior year, where he finished as high as 16th as a team. But after that, life changed. And Banker was OK with it. He said the top-tier swimmers, such as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, are able to swim professionally, but unless you’re one of swimming’s elite, making money isn’t in your future.
See BANKER / Page 24
By Brandon Hopper
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 21
Building Business
REPAIR Continued from Page 20 “Business has increased quite a bit,” Gherna said. “Especially in the last 18 months.” He said, there was a time when everyone was looking to upgrade their appliances to the next best model. Gherna, who also rebuilds and resells appliance, said now he usually hears “I need something as cheap as you got.” “We don’t live in the Maytag generation anymore,” Gherna said. “Appliances don’t last like they used to.” Frank, who repairs the TVs, said all the new TVs are made in China and do not last. Jeff Shane/Daily Record “Nowadays most everything is Frank Gherna works on a stove at Frank’s TV & Appliance Service. built somewhere else,” Frank Gherna has seen a spike in buisness in the past 18 months with people said. “They design the stuff by wanting to fix TV’s and appliances instead of replacing them. computer and put it together by
robot and we have to figure out how to fix it.” Frank said LCD and plasma screen TVs have been selling very inexpensively. “Now we’re working on the LCDs that they bought,” he said. Now rather than replacing transistors or tubes, Frank is having to replace whole circuit boards because all the parts are so small that they are difficult to see. “All your appliances are going the same way,” Gherna said. “Everything has circuit boards.” He said TVs are not any more expensive than they used to be, however, they also are not lasting as long. “This recession everybody’s hurting,” Gherna said. “Everybody’s tightening.”
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Building Business
More choose to repair rather than replace
Jeff Shane/ Daily Record
Steve Frank repairs a plasma TV at Frank’s TV & Appliance Service. With the economy tight, more people are choosing to repair rather than replace.
W
hile the economy seems to be recovering nationally, people still are tightening their belts — carpooling, reducing the number of meals eaten out, buying store brands instead of brand names. Frank Gherna and Steve Frank, of Frank’s TV & Appliance Service, have seen a different effect of the most recent recession: more people are having their appliances repaired than replacing them with new models.
See REPAIR / Page 21
By Rachel Alexander NONPROFITS take a little bit longer.” Donations are down for Loaves “I’m working on board orienta- & Fishes Ministries. Executive director Don Farr tion for existing and new board members and assisting as I can to contributed it to the economy, but hire a new executive director,” he the center also is competing with other nonprofits, as well. said at the beginning of March. “Our peak months are October, The estimated time of opening November and December for peofor youth from 6 to 18 is set for ple giving,” he said. “But it’s that May before school gets out. even flow all year, that $20 or $30 Membership fees are between or $10 that people can give every $10 to $25 per year. month that keeps us going The Fremont Campus of Pueblo through these times. We’re defiCommunity College also has had nitely doing more with less. It’s success with raising money for its getting tighter and tighter.” capital campaign. Recently, Farr learned the cen“We are getting a steady stream ter will not be given a $3,000 grant of donations, not necessarily real- to purchase food after June. ly large ones constantly, but we At the same time, Temporary kicked it off last March. We’re Assistance to Needy Families anstill seeing a pretty good stream nounced it would not be able to coming in,” said Fremont Camprovide community grant funds to pus Dean Jennifer Herman. “We several agencies in the area. received about $40,000 during our “Between that and another year-end campaign.” grant, we’re actually going to be Right now, the college is worklosing $3,000 a month to buy food,” ing on a $75,000 challenge grant. Farr said. “It’s prompting us to “It is difficult times for look at our food banks and look at fundraising, but it’s also a neces- a new way to do it, where we can sary time for fundraising,” she offer more useful food for famisaid. lies, more often.” Herman wanted residents to Loaves & Fishes may set up its support what is important to the food bank more like a grocery community and to them personal- store, where clients will pick up ly. what they will use instead of tak“During hard times, you don’t ing a standard food box, where get as much, but people still give they might not use part of it. when it’s important,” Herman “I am not only going to encoursaid. “We have a need for more age people to do food drives, but space and we try to keep working also to do drives for money because we can purchase more food towards that even if it’s going to
Continued from Page 19
for the dollar than the average person,” Farr said. For instance, “it costs us about 20 cents for a box of cereal.” He said the 34 beds plus numerous cots normally are full in the shelter. “We don’t turn anybody away in the shelter,” Farr said. “They have three hot meals (every day).” With the name and venue change, donations also were down for the Fremont Community Foundation last year. “We’ve struggled,” said board member Jay Bouton. “The economy hurt us.” But at the same time, when the name was changed from the Belvedere Blues Festival to the Holy Cow Moosic Blues Fest, not enough people knew about it even though members of the board attempted to advertise the changes. “The crowds weren’t bad,” Bouton added. “But the beer sales were down.” The board may run into more difficulties this year. “With gas pushing $4 a gallon, it may be difficult for (people) to come,” said foundation president Dan Brown. “They may come, but they won’t spend as much.” With the dismal weather and a decrease in crowds during the Holy Smoke BBQ showdown last year were reasons the donations were down. This year, the barbecue will be June 3-4 because of a request from a group in Pueblo,
who asked for it. “That will help us out because we won’t be going against the Walk for Hope,” Bouton said. “It hurt us for volunteers.” To bring revenues up for the other big fundraiser, the Holy Cow! Blues Festival will be scaled down from three to two days, which will be Sept. 9-10. “That should help us,” Bouton said. However, Brown noted the local merchants and the donors supported the festival. “They kept us in the black,” he said. The Fremont County YMCA Effort group is within $5,000 of making its goal to conduct a feasibility study of bringing a YMCA to the area. Member Sylvia Hooper said when the group reaches $12,000, Cañon City will donate a $2,000 matching grant to complete the study. “People in Fremont County have been very giving and generous,” she said. “People see how valuable it is to bring a YMCA to the area.” In this day and age, some things are worth donating to, Herman said. “I believe if somebody believes in a cause, they’re going to make a contribution even if it’s not going to be as large as they may have been able to give at another time,” she said.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 19
Having An Impact Economy takes its toll on local nonprofit groups
T
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Hundreds of people work through the food line at the Loaves & Fishes ‘Care and Share Food Drop.’ Loaves & Fishes relies on donations from organizations and residents to continue to provide its services.
By Charlotte Burrous
he economy may be down. But when it comes to children, Fremont County steps up to the plate. “We are doing well,” said Gail McDermott, Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County Board President. “Since last July, we have raised more than $132,000. We’re very grateful to the people of Cañon City and Fremont County for stepping up and supporting the Boys and Girls Club.” Of the money raised, El Pomar Foundation provided a $40,000 matching grant with the stipulation the match be raised by June. So far, the organization has raised $38,000 in cash and $2,500 in pledges during the first five weeks, she said. Since then, the donations have increased to about $50,000 as of November, she said. “The economic times are hard, but I think people in our community realize the need for a Boys and Girls Club — that the youth of our city need a place to go after school that’s safe, that has a positive aspect to it,” McDermott said. “There are leadership opportunities for some of the older kids (to become) junior staff.” The building at Fourth and Macon is also a bonus, she said. An event will be planned from 4-8 p.m. May 13 with the help of a Girl Scout Troop. Activities include games, food and a dance with music by Ransom. “The community has been extremely supportive,” McDermott said. “We’ve had a lot of in-kind donations.” Helping to found the club is interim executive director Paul Martz, who worked for Boys and Girls for 15 years.
See NONPROFITS / Page 20
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Building Business
MAIN at the VFW on Saturdays.”
Continued from Page 17 to the merchants to lease a billboard for five years at the top of Eight Mile Hill. “We’re designing our billboard at this time,” said Morrie Aves, one of the merchants. “The intent is to drive visitors who are already in the area to come to Florence.” It will have a simple map and something about being an antique capital in Colorado, he said. To pay for the billboard for five years, the merchants will host fundraisers to raise the money. Also, the merchants participate in Comcast advertising in the summer and around the holidays, as well in tourism guides. “We have funds for the brochures,” Aves said. “We have half of the funds for it. That’s coming from the chamber, the city and the merchants.” To go along with that, activities include a car show the third Sunday of May, Junktique, the third weekend of September and the BBQ the third weekend of October. “With the Gold Belt Tour, the Rocky Mountain Bank parking lot provided a 10 by 15 square foot space for merchants to put up three different poster boards so tourists can learn more about the history of Florence and upcoming events,” Aves said. “Gold Belt Tour is a big sponsor. The merchants gave $200 for an in-kind do-
In the summer months, the chamber hosts its monthly Flea Market on the first Saturday between May 7 to Sept. 3 in the parking lot of Gooseberry Patch. As part of its new look, the chamber’s website provides information to residents and tourists to browse for activities and other purposes at www.penrosechamber.com. The downtown continues to be a vital part of any community, Katchmar said. “We’re trying to gradually revitalize ourselves. The downtown Jeff Shane/Daily Record can’t exist without a community,” Many downtown art galleries host auctions and other monthly events to she said. “Having a main street is a vital part of having a thriving keep residents visiting Main Street. The hope is to keep Main Street town and it’s an opportunity to alive. bring tourists downtown, but we nation. The Florence High School too,” said Penrose Chamber of need the support of the communistudents did the welding for it.” Commerce office manager Misty ty to come down here, too.” Also, the city agreed to defer Dawn Scoles. “There are dances the waterline project until next spring so it won’t disrupt this year’s tourist season. On the third Fridays, the Blue Spruce Gallery hosts receptions • LASIK Consultation • Glaucoma Management to bring residents downtown to • Full Service Optical display their work in the gallery • Cataract Evaluation and enjoy appetizers and bever• Comprehensive Eye Exams • Diabetic Eye Care ages. Meanwhile in Penrose, Coyote’s Coffee Den provides Music on the Patio on Saturday nights throughout the summer. “The CrossRoads stays busy
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 17
MAIN Jeff Shane/ Daily Record
Continued from Page 16
Street is just one block north,” Katchmar said. “We have the electronic signboard in front of the chamber and those will help bring people downtown.” Also, a map will list all the different stores and where they are, as well as a map for where parking is. In 2012, the Walldogs will come to paint a series of paintings on historic buildings around the area. “The murals will all have historical significance,” Katchmar said. “There’s a subcommittee that’s working on what buildings to put them on and what the paintings will be comprised of.” As part of the event, artists will visit from across the country, which means the merchants will host several fundraisers to bring them, she said. Bill DeBekker, who has participated in the Walldogs events around the country, is in charge of that subcommittee. “We’ll have a lot of activity while they’re being painted,” Katchmar said. “We’ll have TV cameras and get some news stories done. Once they’re done, we’ll have some maps for the chamber.” A subcommittee also is working on an Art in Public Places project with Rob Smith from FCA, who has formed a committee to decide where the art will be placed and how it will be handled. “That’s very exciting,” Katchmar said. “There’s a lot of interest in that.” The merchants also are forming a task force to look at downtown revitalization, business retention, finding new businesses for the area and utilizing the available buildings then market them. “We would really like our community to participate and invest in our downtown,” Katchmar said. “The common complaint we hear is we don’t stay open late. The other side is it’s hard to stay open when we don’t get people down here.” The downtown is changing with the addition of a new clothing store, boutiques, both new and
The Artists’ Gallery sitter Kate Colby looks through inventory at the gallery. During First Fridays on Main Street, residents browse through artwork, listen to music and visit with the artists.
g At ‘We would really n i t r s Sta Unit 99,000 like our community $1 to participate and invest in our “Filling the demand for maintenance-free downtown.’
— Beth Katchmar, chairwoman of the downtown merchants. consignment clothing, boutiques with handmade art, clothing and shoes, as well as a candy store. “We have a lot of people who say they never come down here,” Katchmar said. “They need to see what we have down here. There’s a lot of opportunity down here and we’re always changing.” Recently, in the Florence Downtown Merchants meeting, John Heasley, who owns property on CR3A, offered an opportunity
See MAIN / Page 18
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Building Business
Main Street MOVEMENT Communities work to keep Main Street alive in recession
O
nce Main Street filled up with residents looking for bargains, meals or other activities. But in today’s economy, it may be hard for Cañon City, Florence and Penrose to keep their Main Street alive and bring residents and out-oftowners alike to the downtown area. To keep abreast of what’s going on, the Cañon City Downtown Merchants meet at 8:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month either at My Brother’s Place or at Pizza Madness in Cañon City. “Everyone is invited,” said Beth Katchmar, chairwoman of the downtown merchants. “For almost a year now, between 30 and 60 people come to the meetings.” One of the main things the downtown offers is First Friday activities, where the Fremont Center for the Arts, the Artists’ Gallery, Boomers and Michael’s on Main Street, along with several new galleries host receptions and activities. “The art galleries are open late (the first Friday of the month),” Katchmar said.
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
The Artists’ Gallery visitors look at pieces in the show March 4 during their monthly artist reception on Main Street in Cañon City. First Friday activities include receptions and other events.
During the evening, appetizers and drink are served while participants browse through the artwork, listen to live music and entertainment then visit with the artists. Starting in June, the Cañon City Library will provide music on its lawn. “Those are getting to be really fun nights,” she said. “Several other places are staying
open, as well.” Coming up in May, the third annual Flash Back on Main Street will bring four blocks of cars on display, live music, vendors in the street and specials. “It’s a really fun time,” Katchmar said. “We have food, beer and contests.” Another exciting event is Col-
By Charlotte Burrous
orado Department of Transportation has approved new signs on Royal Gorge Boulevard, pointing visitors to the historical district in the downtown. “We have a mural that’s going on the Century 21 building that tells you historic Main
See MAIN / Page 17
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Building Business
CARING HANDS REHABILITATION
EXPANDING Continued from Page 14
soup and sandwiches on Saturdays during the summer. Last year, Jim and Carol Fontana purchased the former Brookhart’s building to expand into another branch store of True Value in Cañon City, as part of a venture, known as Destination True Value. “It’s the newest format for True Value,” Jim said. “It was a test at the time. Now they’re spreading it throughout the country.” With the extensive remodeling of the building, the crews installed a new roof and a new front at 1630 E. Main St. “The things I’m proudest of are the eight or nine jobs that are here all the time,” Carol said. Before spring, the couple plan to start selling sheds and other small buildings, as well as fountains, statues and nursery stock before spring.
Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy “Crews have already repaired the fence,” Carol said. In addition, this store is a full line hardware store, but it also sells husquana power equipment and offers special discounts on paint and other merchandise. So far, the store is meeting all of the projections that the Fontanas expected. “We listen to our customers and bring in what they ask for,” he reiterated. “It’s so important we are what the community wants it to be.” He said the store tries to stay competitive with prices and items offered. And it also helps the economy with the business expanding into Cañon City. “Not only does the payroll stay here, but also the profit stays here,” Jim said. “It’s real important that the people in the community shop here (for that reason.)”
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Building Business
EXPANDING up with the foot traffic than we’ve had on Main Street,” Moore said. “We love being part of Main “I really felt being a part of the Street. It definitely was a positive downtown community was really move.” important,” Moore said. “That Daniel and Michelle Petit rewas one of the first places we cently expanded Le Petit Chablis looked then we looked at the opRestaurant when it opened a tions, buying versus renting.” After viewing several buildings, French Bakery & Coffee Shop next door. she found the storefront at 506 When they first purchased the Main St., which originally was a jewelry store with shelves built in- building, they used it for storage then leased it to Moore for her to the walls to display the mercandy store. When she outgrew it, chandise. “We liked being able to bring all the Petits decided it was time to fulfill their dreams of owning a the elements into one room,” French bakery of their own. Moore said. “Obviously we like So they remodeled the building having the showcases (for the as a bakery, which opened last candy).” After painting with similar col- May. In the evenings, he bakes nuors from the former store, she merous goodies for the bakery said the biggest expense was then continues the process when bringing the kitchen up to code. he makes the croissants in the “It all worked well, even our counter. We just tweaked it a little mornings at the bakery, where pastries and coffee are available. bit,” Moore said. “We have twice Being next door to the Le Petit the space now. We’ve expanded Chablis Restaurant has been conmore product. What I really like venient because if one business is we have more floor space for gets a run then employees can people to get around.” help out the other one during the She said she was thankful for rushes. the former location when she In addition to the bakery, the started her new business. downstairs is available for meet“But very quickly we outgrew ings of any kind without charge it,” Moore said. “The key is the when customers buy coffee and community has responded very pastries. well to this business. And our Treats for Troops program has “We have a door from the outgone very well.” side they can come in (from the In the long run, being on Main parking lot,)” Petit said. Street has been a bonus. In addition to the pastries and “If we’ve lost any customer off coffee, the bakery also will offer the highway that maybe would See EXPANDING / Page 15 have stopped there, we’ve made
Continued from Page 13
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Right Ingredients For Growing Business
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Le Petit Chablis and French Bakery owners Daniel Petit and Michelle Petit move pastries in the bakery.
Despite economic downturn, many local businesses expanding its services
A
lthough the economy has been on the downturn for the past several years, three local businesses have expanded, including Fandies Candy, True Value and the French Bakery & Coffee Shop. For Fandies Candy, Debi Moore said she moved the can-
dy store after it reached a crossroad about the time the lease came up. “I started looking at options,” she said. “Financially, sometimes that can be a problem, especially with a new business, who is just getting settled then you almost have to build a brand new business.” Because of the economy, she said she felt it was the time to purchase a building.
See EXPANDING / Page 14
By Charlotte Burrous
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Building Business
The Daily Record
OWNERS Continued from Page 11 ing for a good deal,” Trujillo said. She tries to keep prices as reasonable as possible and still make ends meet. Most of the prices are below retail. Trujillo said she has regular customers from throughout the region — Westcliffe and Penrose. “We’re pulling customers as far as Buelah,” she said. “Those surprised me.” The Ruby Slipper, 109 S. Fifth St., and The Look, 617 Main St., are owned by Cheryl Gillis and her mother, Mary Basham. The Slipper, a consignment clothing store, was the first store the family opened June 1, 2010. “My mother was retiring and wanted to open a dress shop,” Gillis said. She offered to help part-time and took over ownership of the store when Basham decided to open The Look on Feb. 1.
‘It was terrifying. It wasn’t a spur of the moment thing. You have to do it realizing what the economy is.’ — Cheryl Gillis Gillis said the consignment industry has picked up generally since the recession started. “Everybody’s trying to save money,” she said. “You still have to work, you have to dress well.” She said consignment and thrift shops are opening throughout the state. “It’s green,” she said. “Consignment and thrift is a hobby. It’s the hunt.” The Slipper, which carries women’s clothing, has had 400 consigners in the nine months since it opened and most are repeat con-
signers. “It grows every month,” Gillis said. “It’s a steady increase.” Basham opened The Look in February as a new clothing store for men and women on Main Street in Cañon City. Despite opening in the middle of a blizzard, Basham said, customers still came in. The store offers name brand clothing for men and women, including plus-sizes. She aims to have prices somewhere between Walmart and Macy’s. “I needed a job, which is what
led to (the Slipper),” Basham said. Both women said the Main Street business community has been nice to work with. “The whole business community has been very welcoming,” Gillis said. “We’ve had an awful lot of people interested,” Basham said. “We want to have things to make you feel special. Clothes are fun.” Gillis and Basham said opening businesses during a recession was frightening. “It was terrifying,” Gillis said. “It wasn’t a spur of the moment thing. You have to do it realizing what the economy is.” The three women said having their stores in Florence and Cañon City allows people to shop locally and keep tax revenue in the local tax base. “We’re learning as we’re going,” Basham said. “I would do it again in a minute.”
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 11
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Ruby Slipper store owner Cheryl Gillis, right, and her mother, The Look store owner Mary Basham, look through inventory at the Ruby Slipper at 109 S. Fifth St.
Worth The Risk Business owners open new shops during difficult economy
S
mall business is the backbone of the economy in any small town, but in a recession, opening a new business can be a risk entrepreneurs are not willing to take. However, that is exactly the risk the owners of Trujillo’s Emporium, the
Ruby Slipper and The Look took in the last year. Carol Trujillo opened Trujillo’s Emporium, 513 E. Main St., in Florence with her family on Black Friday 2010. “My kids needed employment,” Trujillo said. “I was creating them a career.” The Emporium offers new and consigned clothing and accessories, including nurses’ scrubs. “I really think we have a keeper,” Trujillo said. “This was a high school dream of mine. The community has been really supportive.”
By Rachel Alexander
Trujillo said December was an “awesome” month for the store, but sales in January were not as good. However, she expects business to pick up throughout the year, especially as the new school year approaches in August. “I think we picked a good business,” she said. “It’s a benefit to families.” The store, which is about 10 percent consignment and 90 percent new clothing, has items to fit family members from newborn babies to men. “I have noticed customers are look-
See OWNERS / Page 12
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Building Business
SUCCESS Continued from Page 9
“I want (my customers ) to know that it’s important to me that they come in,” she said. “I appreciate every person that walks in, and I greet every person that walks in.” Hovey works hard to make everyone feel welcome in her store, including always having chocolate on the counter and having a “man chair” next to magazines to keep husbands entertained while their wives shop. Oberley said he and Woods have worked hard to develop a reputation for good customer service. “How can you grow if your service stinks?” Woods said. “They’ll go somewhere else.” “It comes back to customer service,” Oberley said. “Customers always refer people to us. Probably nobody works harder to earn the business we’ve got.” “I ask my people for their business,” Hovey said. Hovey also makes education a priority in the Cloth Closet. Several classes are conducted each week on various aspects of quilting from paper piecing to appliqué. “I think that people always want to be a part of something that’s good and fun,” she said. “Our job is to be as helpful as possible and give people ideas.” Oberley and Woods said they have seen the effects of the economy in the number of consignment items brought into the store. “We wouldn’t have the invento-
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
The Creative Cloth Closet owner Denise Hovey works at her shop on Main Street.
ry we have,” Woods said. “(Customers) are needing more value for their money.” Oberley said the store buys from companies that are going out of business, as well as individuals and pass on the deals to their customers. “We do it all,” Woods said. “We don’t say no. Nobody can beat the
quality of our work, it just can’t be done. And we’re confident in that.” “My belief is if you build it, they will come and they have,” Hovey said. “I had no idea if Cañon City could support a quilt store. There’s a lot of people out there that want me to succeed.”
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 9
Building Business
Finding Success Small businesses focus on great service to keep customers coming back
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Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Vinny Woods, front, and Jeff Oberley work on customers’ jewelry at their work benches at their shop ‘Main Street Gallery’ in Florence.
By Rachel Alexander
eeping a small business running is difficult in the best of times, but keeping one operating through a recession is tougher. That is exactly what the owners of the Creative Cloth Closet and Main Street Gallery have done during the most recent recession. Denise Hovey opened the Creative Cloth Closet in February 2005 at 508 Main St. in Cañon City. Jeff Oberley and Vinny Woods opened Main Street Gallery, 111 W. Main St., in Florence in September 2007. “I’ve decided what’s going on in the outside world is out there,” Hovey said. “What’s going on in Jeff Shane/Daily Record here is good and fun and Denise Hovey opened the people want to Creative Cloth Closet in be a part of it.” February 2005. Hovey said her quilt store is the “happy place” for many of her customers. “When things happen, we need a way to escape,” she said. “We provide a place for people to do that. They do get to come in and feel and touch and play.” Hovey said she uses customer service and education in her business to keep customers coming in.
See SUCCESS / Page 10
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Building Business TOURISM Continued from Page 7 Shane also discussed the council’s hiring of Bryan Jordan of Vista Works to rework the website and create new state-of-the-art services for visitors. The website has been completely redesigned, focusing on a more direct way to service the county’s Internet audience.
“We are implementing social networking with our visitors in the way of an e-mail newsletter, as well as direct replies using Twitter and Facebook,” Shane said. “A new mobile application is now being created and will be available by May 1, 2011. This new application will function on both the iPhone, as well as on the Android format.”
He said the application will have access to the council’s website and a mobile screen to inform visitors about various activities happening in the county.
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“I’m starting to see a better collaboration between everyone in the community,” he said. “We’re starting to really focus on making this community better.”
He said with the county developing new venues and events, everyone is shooting for a longer season.
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“I see the dynamics of the community changing for the better,” he said. “We’ve kind of weathered the storm.”
Among the new attractions coming this year is the Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours, a nine-line course north of the Royal Gorge being built by the owners of Royal Gorge Rafting. “When people call they’re more excited about the zip line than the rafting,” said co-owner Jimmy Whiteside. He said the climate here lends itself to the zip lines because the season could extend as late as Thanksgiving. Whiteside’s partner Ty Seufer said the company is hiring 20 guides for the tour who will go through a 50-hour training course prior to the grand opening on April 29.
Tours will start about every half-hour with groups of eight to 10 people and two guides. The nine lines range in length from 40 to 1,000 feet on 126 acres, totaling a little over a mile of cable. The tour will include about a half-mile hike between lines. Participants are double-clipped to a coated steel cable at all times during the zip, they will brake with a leather glove.
The partners have hired Bonsai Design out of Grand Junction to design, engineer and build the course.
“They build world-class zip line tours,” Seufer said. “You’ll have a sense of accomplishment (when the course is complete).”
Visit royalgorgeziplinetours.com for more information. Probably opening in the summer of 2012 is the new Royal Gorge Dinosaur Museum planned by the city of Cañon City, Garden Park Paleontology Society, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and Tribold Paleontology. Jon Stone, of the Dinosaur Depot, said the move is necessitated by the sale of the building currently housing the Depot on U.S. 50 to the Royal Gorge Railroad.
They selected a site near the parking lot of the Bridge and Park. “That site is just fantastic,” Stone said. “This piece of ground was absolutely perfect.”
Stone said the museum hopes to break ground in the fall, after the tourist season. For information on the new museum, visit dinosaurdepot.com/newmuseumdocuments.htm.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 7
Building Business
Weathering The Storm New attractions in the works in hope to boost tourism
S
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Bonsai Design Inc. workers Matt Seymour, left, and Pilo Valenciano construct the zip line at the Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours site North of the Royal Gorge. The tour will have nine lines of different lengths and elevations.
oon, the roads and parking lots will fill with out-of-state license plates and visitors will start coming to the local attractions, antique stores, restaurants and hotels. Cañon City Chamber of Commerce Director Doug Shane said he is hopeful of the county’s tourist season this year. “This year, we have seen so far an explosion on inquiries for the new visitors’ guide,” Shane said. The chamber had more than 600 in-
quiries a week in January and February. In January 2010, there were 526 inquires. Shane said the majority of the county’s tourists during the last few years have been from within a 600-mile radius and he expects that to remain consistent. “People are making day trips,” he said. “We don’t have enough beds, we can’t handle a lot of people.” The county’s biggest tourist attraction — the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park reported one of its best years ever, Shane said. While attendance, at 304,714, was down about 7,000 people, food and beverage sales were up. In his Fremont County Tourism Council report to the Fremont County Commissioners in January, Shane reported that the county’s lodging tax declined $2,343 from 2009 to $138,671.
See TOURISM / Page 8
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Building Business
North of Wal-Mart at corner of Utility & Dozier Ave
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Dollar General opened its doors in Florence in July 2010 at its new location at 850 Main St. in Florence.
FRANCHISES Continued from Page 5
ness and swimming. Hibbett Sports also offers shoes and apparel in popular name brands, including Asics, Adidas, Nike, North Face, Under Armour and more. Major Little League sports, equipment for youth and a variety of protective gear can be found at the new Cañon City store. Aimed to meet the needs of sports fans statewide, Nelon said HibbettSports carries apparel for the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, CU and Air Force. Office Depot opened in Cañon City in 2009. The 20,686-square-foot store is one of 100 new stores the corporation will open across the country. It features a layout that organizes products into “pods,” where related products are kept together. The store also features a Design, Print and Ship Center where customers can create materials, print out presentations and ship items. Dollar General opened its doors in Florence in July 2010 at its new location at 850 Main St. in Florence. Dollar General Corp. is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tenn. and according to its Web site, has more than 8,800 stores in 35 states. It has nine distribution centers and employs about 79,000 people. The store offers brands such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly Clark, Unilever, Kellogg’s, General Mills and Nabisco. McLish said businesses frequently use population data to determine where to open their new branches, and Fremont County’s numbers tend to be too small for some of the larger retailers, such as Target, to consider coming in. The 2010 Census data is still coming in. Fremont County has a population of about 49,000 residents.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 5
Building Business FRANCHISES
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Continued from Page 4 And there remains the possibility the Jack in the Box will come to Cañon City in the coming months. “It would be really nice if they would come,” said Fremont Economic Development Corp. Director Edie McLish. Jack in the Box, which has been planned for 2435 Fremont Drive, has been delayed since last year because of various disagreements between the developer, the city and the Department of Transportation. The fast-food restaurant will be located where the current Sky Valley Motel is at the corner of Greydene and Fremont Drive and plans to employ between 40 and 60 local residents, as well as provide construction jobs.
Brady’s Garden & Spa Center celebrates 18 years of business The Brady family started in the nursery business 45 years ago with Dick and Rhoda Brady. Now the Brady brothers have two retail Garden Centers, Brady’s Garden & Spa Center in Cañon City and Brady’s West in Salida, and Brady’s Evergreen Nursery our wholesale nursery also in Cañon City. Brady’s is the largest garden center in southern Colorado offering a huge selection of all your gardening needs from trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials, to fountains, outdoor furniture, hot tubs, insect control, fertilizer and pond supplies. We often receive raving reviews from our customers; they can’t believe “how big this garden center is in a town this small.” Stop by - you will be impressed.
Work bringing the franchise to the city is continuing. Hibbett Sports opened in Cañon City in 2010, offering a little bit of everything in sporting goods with store manager Brandon Nelon at the helm. Men, women and children can find a wide variety of athletic apparel, sporting goods equipment and accessories for sports, such as football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, basketball, weightlifting, general fit-
See FRANCHISES / Page 6
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Building Business
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Office Depot opened in Ca単on City in 2009. Below: Hibbett Sports opened in Ca単on City in 2010, offering a little bit of everything in sporting goods.
Big Business Area has seen a few franchises set up shop in the county
N
ational companies spread by opening franchise locations in various cities, they typically use demographic information when determining where to open new locations. In recent years, several new franchise businesses have opened in Fremont County, including Hibbett Sports, Office Depot and Dollar General.
See FRANCHISES / Page 5
By Rachel Alexander
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Building Business
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 3
BUSINESS Continued from Page 2 County be known as a development or business-friendly area,” Butts said. “The city has really made great strides in helping to change that perception about this area. We want businesses to feel there is help from local government, rather than roadblocks or hindrances. They’ve really done a great job.” Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Art Welch said he appreciated the ideas and input the Ad Hoc Committee brought to the commission. “The Ad Hoc Committee was very reasonable and very straightforward,” Welch said. “Then the Planning Commission acted as the intermediary between staff, between the city and between the Ad Hoc Committee. I think the Planning Commission members were very good in listening not only to what the Ad Hoc Committee had to say, but also to what the public had to say.” Getting the Site Plan changed, was a great endeavor and great cooperation between all involved parties, Welch said. Welch, who is serving his third term on the Planning and Zoning Commission, was one of the members who developed the original Site Plan. Though the plan worked for a time, he said, the downturn in economy brought a need for change. “The economy changed, and when the economy changed, the realtors and builders were struggling,” Welch said. “Then, they started looking at the requirements of the Site Plan. Economy was the biggest factor in all of this. I thought it was probably time to take a good look at it.” One of the most significant changes, Welch said, is the appeals process. “The avenue for appeals was a great change, and it was very significant from a public standpoint,” he said. City Administrator Steve Rabe said the formation of the Ad Hoc group was perfect timing for the city. “Staff was working on trying to facilitate some changes to the Site
Jeff Shane/ Daily Record
Cañon City City Administrator Steve Rabe, left, speaks during a public hearing on the administrative decision of Jack in the Box during a city council meeting in 2010. The City and the Ad Hoc Committee worked together to change the city’s 4.12 Site Plan at the end of 2010 in an effort to create more of a business-friendly environment.
Plan,” Rabe said. “We were continuing to run into some things where we thought if we had some flexibility, we could do more and quicker and easier.” Rabe said he and former City Development Director Glenn Hartmann were working on possible changes at that time. “We thought, what a perfect opportunity,” Rabe said. “We could get a group of people together so we could make changes at the same time. And, at the same time, really educate everyone on why these Site Plan regulations look like they do. It really was a good mix at the appropriate time.” Rabe, Welch and Butts agreed the Ad Hoc Committee, Planning and Zoning and city staff have future projects to work on together. “I think the Ad Hoc Committee in general is interested in the economic vitality of the city,” Butts said. “I’ve been very pleased with the response on the city and the county level. Ad Hoc thanks the city and county in this process and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them. We want to continue to make Fremont County and Cañon City a better place to live.”
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Building Business
City, Ad Hoc Committee work to create more of a business-friendly atmosphere
A
bout two years ago, several groups of local residents and groups, including the Homebuilders Association, the Chamber of Commerce, FEDC and the Royal Gorge Association of Realtors attended a meeting to discuss the rising costs of
building fees. “That meeting was the catalyst for all four groups to come together to form the Ad Hoc Committee,” realtor Michael Butts said. “This is the core group of the Ad Hoc committee. We represent probably 600 to 700 people. From those groups, there are about 18 people that meet on a fairly regular basis to continue discussions about current events.” Though the Ad Hoc Committee’s first agenda item was facilitating a change in the city’s 4.12 Site Plan, they’ve developed several goals since the Site Plan Review changes took place at the end of 2010. “Other things the Ad Hoc Committee is wanting to study further with the city are parking issues and zoning issues,” Butts said. “The biggest hurdle I see right now is infrastructure.” From about 15th Street, east to the Abbey, there are a number of curb and gutter issues, Butts said. “It seems to me, that these on- or off-site improvements required by the city seem to be one of the stumbling blocks for businesses to come to the area,” Butts said. “We need to find alternative avenues as to how to fund these infrastructure items.” Curb, gutter, sidewalk and storm water issues often add prohibitive costs to a potential builder or businessperson thinking of moving to the area. “What we are trying to do, is have Cañon City and Fremont
See BUSINESS / Page 3
Jeff Shane/Daily Record
Dave Reynolds speaks at a General Government Committee meeting about the difficulties of doing business in Cañon City at City Hall in 2010.
By Karen Lungu
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 1
Progress 2011 his year’s Progress edition encompasses several key areas and people in our community. Inside, readers will find businesses are working to stay afloat in an uncertain economy, even expanding in a few cases. Also in this edition, the Daily Record news staff caught up with 10 people the newspaper has highlighted in the past in the “Where Are They Now?” section. This gave us a chance to see how these people, many of which were faced with difficult challenges, are doing today. With the “Faces in the Crowd” section, a staple of the Progress edition for the past few years, we highlighted high school students. What we found were bright, ambitious and driven young people. If these students are any indication, the future looks bright. And speaking of the future, technology continues to take over our daily lives, and businesses, schools and health care are all on board.
T
2=CA
We hope you enjoy reading this year’s edition of Progress.
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2=CA "
The 2011 Progress edition is a publication of the Cañon City Daily Record, a division of the Prairie Mountain Publishing, LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All contents Copyright © 2011 The Cañon City Daily Record. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed for any commercial purpose.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
BRADY Continued from Page 23
she is still having a lot of rib pain.” Physically, Dena estimates her daughter is about 70 percent recovered. She continues to process through the experience emotionally, as well. “She’s really doing a good job of working through it as best she can,” Dena said. “She’s very brave.” The Jan. 8 shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson brought back a flood of memories and emotions for Alicia. Dr. Peter Rhee, chief of trauma at University Medical Center in Tucson, treated Alicia after her shooting, as well as Giffords in January. “He is an extremely confident person,” Dena said, adding that is what you want when your child is in critical condition. “He did tell us — the night her artery ruptured — the next day he said, ‘I thought we were going to lose her,’” she said. Alicia not only pulled through, she became an inspiration to many in the medical community, Dena said. “Her case is a very big teaching tool,” she said, “because all of the things that could go wrong did.” She said some of the doctors have Courtesy Ed Flores Photography mentioned the significant impacts her For the first time since the daughter has made on their lives pershooting, Alicia Brady will perform sonally and professionally. “They learned some things because on stage in Cañon City on April 30 of her case that will help other people,” and May 1 at Cañon City High she said. School for the CCHS vocal Alicia saw a thoracic surgeon about concert. two months ago, Dena said, who explained scar tissue has adhered to Alicia’s ribs. Since it has hardened, it is not pliable and causes a great deal of discomfort. They hope over time it will become softer and more pliable. She also is dealing with gastrointestinal issues. “Overall, she’s doing much, much better,” Dena said. “She’s pretty determined and her hope is that within the next couple of months she’ll be ready to start maybe auditioning.” Alicia lives in Colorado Springs, but she hopes to audition for a dancing position aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. “She would still love to get to join a company and travel overseas, but at this point, she can’t do any partnering because of the ribs,” Dena said. “We’ll just have to wait and see what God has planned for her. “She’s very determined.” The man suspected of shooting Alicia was arrested, Dena said, and authorities were 99 percent sure he was guilty, but the only eye witness was another gang member the shooter originally was aiming for. “They ended up letting him go, and they actually closed her case,” she said. “Unless someone comes up someday and they have new evidence — and the worst thing about that is he is out there, and he can do it again.” For the first time since the shooting, Brady will perform on stage in Cañon City on April 30 and May 1 at Cañon City High School for the CCHS vocal concert featuring the Dwight Shaw Big Band. Alicia will be the guest artist. “We are still very thankful for this community and the support,” Dena said. “The support has been amazing.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, Page 25
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