2 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
Publisher Richard Ballantine General Manager Sharon Hermes
Inside
Design Manager Brady Sutherlin Editor/Designer Karla Sluis Advertising Design/Prepress Mitchell Carter Georgia Davenport Jennifer Dickens Janelle Farnam Laney Peterson Michelle Uhl Tracy Willbanks Advertising Sales Darryl Hunt Karolann Latimer Shawna Long Rob Lillard Chuck Jillson Corrin Oxnam Adam Adimoolah
6
StoneAge water-blast tools clean up the market
10
Zuke’s brand is built on treating pets with care
14
SoundTraxx makes model trains sound real
18
Experts weigh in on ups and downs of local economy
22
QR Code technology is hot, but think before you link
24
Fix up a boring booth at a community event
On the cover:
Patrick Meiering, founder and “Head Bone Maker” of Zuke’s, rewards his dog, Trek, on a warm day in June at Santa Rita Park in Durango. Trek is an athletic dog and needs his Power Bones, which are the company’s original concept of performance-driven, natural, organic treats for pets. The Durango Herald uses reasonable effort to include accurate and up-to-date information for its special magazine publications. However, all general information comes from a variety of sources and may change at any time for any reason. To verify specific information, refer to the organization or business noted. To see the online version of this guide, click the link at: www.durangoherald.com
A publication of
28
Businesses work to attract locals with special coupons and passes
30
Test your knowledge of Durango’s business bygone days La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 3
“Capital isn’t so important in business. Experience isn’t so important. You can get both these things. What is important is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn’t any limit to what you can do with your business and your life.” — Harvey Firestone, founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
4 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
A
Fresh
Spin M
aybe inspiration comes from thin mountain air. La Plata County is full of innovative businesses that set lofty goals – and some have surpassed their own high hopes. A common thread that sets these successful businesses apart is creativity. Even in a still-shaky economy, the people with unique ideas are doing more than surviving: They are thriving. The three companies profiled in this magazine all invented something that solved a problem. StoneAge built a better cleaning system using a forceful blast of water; Zuke’s designed a healthier pet treat; and SoundTraxx found a way to make the whistles and chugs of model railroads sound more true to life. All three businesses have the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction in mind as they continue to innovate and adapt their products to the market. Other local business people use fresh-air thinking every time they embrace a new marketing tool. Some choose new technology, such as QR Codes, a printed symbol that links to the Internet. Other companies connect with customers face-to-face from a booth at street festivals. Having a great service or product is good, but promoting that idea is essential. Sometimes you have to jump in with the sharks – the plastic blow-up kind – like the pool of resources that attracted kids and their parents at Lost Dog’s booth at Taste of Durango. Imagination sets cogs in the brain turning toward success. As SoundTraxx owner Nancy Workman said, “sometimes customers don’t know what’s possible.” It’s up to the best and the brightest to take a deep breath of that fresh air, imagine the possibilities, and make them a reality. – Karla Sluis
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 5
RIGHT: StoneAge Research and Development Manager Doug Wright tests the Banshee water-blast tool at the company’s headquarters in Animas Air Park.
Liquid Assets StoneAge water-blast tools clean up market By Karla Sluis
T
Herald Magazine Editor
he Banshee is a screaming success. It’s the best-selling product at StoneAge, Inc., a water-blast tool manufacturer in Durango. It’s a rotating, high-pressure water nozzle that’s typically used for cleaning small tubes in heat exchangers. “Think of something the size of a felt-tip pen that can apply the power of a race-car engine down the drain of your kitchen sink,” said Doug Wright, the tool’s original creator and the company’s research and development manager. This innovative technology is a hallmark of StoneAge, a company that has zoomed to the top with many recent awards. On June 8, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper visited the company after giving StoneAge the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting on May 17. Co-founders John Wolgamott and Jerry Zink were recently honored as finalists in the Ernst and Young Colorado Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This year, ColoradoBiz Magazine named CEO Kerry Petranek one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals” and StoneAge one of the “Top 50 Companies to Watch”
in the state. The Banshee evolved from original tools created in a garage in the mid-1970s, when Wolgamott and Zink met in college at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. The two were involved in research with very high pressure water jets – up to 60,000 psi (pounds per square inch). “This was new technology with a multitude of exciting research possibilities, and put us into contact with many other government and private researchers,” said Wolgamott via e-mail. StoneAge President Wolgamott and Vice President Zink describe their early work as “exciting and scary; liberating when making decisions; focused goals, yet very limited in resources.” Creativity plus teamwork is still a model for the company’s employees. Today StoneAge is recognized as a world leader in providing tools and equipment for water-blast cleaning. They specialize in mechanized equipment and rotary nozzles. The company is 100 percent employee owned, and has more than 60 people on the payroll. There are now 180 dealers in 43 countries worldwide. The garage has been replaced by a modern, well-equipped facility in Animas Air Park in Durango. Zink and Wolgamott say they have thrived See StoneAge, Page 9
StoneAge representatives from left, Tool Assembler John Staten and CEO Kerry Petranek show Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper some of the parts it takes to make tools June 8 at the company’s headquarters in Animas Air Park.
Photo courtesy of Deb Martin/StoneAge
6 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
“Innovation — any new idea — by definition will not be accepted at first. It takes repeated attempts, endless demonstrations, monotonous rehearsals before innovation can be accepted and internalized by an organization. This requires courageous patience.”
Photo courtesy of Deb Martin/ StoneAge
— Warren Bennis, scholar, consultant and author, regarded as a pioneer of the contemporary field of Leadership Studies La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 7
HAL LOTT/Herald
StoneAge co-founders John Wolgamott, left, and Jerry Zink work on quality control using a Coordinate Measuring Machine, which checks finely manufactured parts and measures them in minute amounts.
“Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found.” — James Russell Lowell, American Romantic poet, critic, editor and diplomat
Photo courtesy of Deb Martin/StoneAge
The Banshee, above and left, is a high-pressure water-blast nozzle with the power of a race-car engine used by industrial cleaning contractors, plants and refineries to clean heat exchangers.
Photo courtesy of Deb Martin/StoneAge
StoneAge Research and Development Manager Doug Wright tests the Banshee in Animas Air Park. The technology uses a direct, focused shot of water. Photo courtesy of Deb Martin/StoneAge
8 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
StoneAge: Continued from Page 6 because of continuous innovation. Like all valuable tools, the Banshee was created to solve a problem. Wright said the goal was to design a tool that eliminated the many intricate parts of the company’s existing tools, while maintaining the smooth inner flow path that allowed the most powerful and effective cleaning jets – up to a maximum 22,000 psi. “We were receiving requests from customers to design a better tool that could clean smaller tubes, and the current tools on the market were of a poor design and did not produce effective cleaning,” said Wright. “I wanted to do something different than what any other manufacturer was doing. The key was the straight flow path, and that’s what I was focused on.” Wright was in the creative flow when he was stuck in a snowstorm for three days in a hotel room in windy, cold Rock Springs, Wyo. “I had days to sit and think and dream,” he said. “For me, it takes this freedom of mind to come up with entirely new ideas, and I was fortunate enough to have this time.” The StoneAge manufacturing team tested Banshee prototypes, and through trial and error they refined the design together. The tool was ready for sale 15 months after the snowy trip to Wyoming. Petranek said the Banshee is far more effective than
other tube-cleaning tools on the market because of its design. She said jet quality is critical in effective cleaning, and the Banshee eliminates many of the factors that cause a jet to break down. “Imagine a wide fan of water spraying a surface versus a direct, focused shot of water. The direct shot of water is going to hit the surface harder, therefore cleaning it more efficiently than the less powerful fan of water.” Petranek said the Banshee’s target customers are industrial cleaning contractors, plants and refineries who are using high pressure water to clean heat exchangers. These heat exchanger tubes are lined – sometimes even plugged – with the product being manufactured, such as plastic, rubber or crude oil. Clean heat exchangers allow for more efficient manufacturing and a cleaner final product. Wright said the faster heat exchangers are cleaned, the faster a plant can be up and running again, saving time and money. Great timing combined with creative problem solving resulted in an award-winning company. “The industry is always looking for the next technology that will clean better and faster,” said Petranek. “We entered the market when it was ready for something new, and we were able to capitalize on it and provide our customers with something very different and very effective.” Ì
On the
Web
For more information on StoneAge, visit www. stoneagetools. com. To watch the Banshee drilling through rock, see the video at: http:// www.youtube. com/watch?v= XSpTRMLN_10 &feature=play er_embedded.
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 9
RIGHT: Patrick Meiering, co-founder and vice president of Zuke’s, bonds with family dogs Ellie, left, and Trek at Santa Rita Park in Durango in June.
Puppy Love Zuke’s brand is built on treating pets with care By Karla Sluis
P
Herald Magazine Editor
atrick Meiering is fueled by love. He’s the vice president and co-founder of Zuke’s, which makes natural treats for dogs and cats. His warm feeling for fuzzy pets is the creative power behind his successful Durango company. “Fuel the Love” is the company slogan, and it refers to bonding. “Our company makes treats, but our brand is about lifestyle,” said Meiering. “We have three prongs to our business: Be healthy, be active and be devoted – honor the unconditional love that goes on between a dog and their person.” The idea for Zuke’s began with an “a-ha” moment during a hike in 1995. Meiering was with his dog Zuke on Goulding Creek Trail, which is now Glacier Club. His dog was tired and needed energy to continue. “I thought: ‘What can I do to help? I care about this animal. There should be some kind of nutritious power supplement you give to a dog.’” He broke off a piece of his energy bar and noticed how Zuke perked up. “A lot of it was witnessing something, and becoming aware of it. The creative process was the application,” he said. Meiering and his brother Chris co-founded Zuke’s, which is based in Durango at 2257 Main Ave. The products are sold by many online
retailers, as well as hundreds of retail stores in the U.S. The company offers a variety of treats, chews and bones using “the finest meats, premium grains, fruits, vegetables and oils available.” Some products target specific health concerns, such as Hip Action for joint pain and Z-Ridge dental chews. Other products include Power Bones for active dogs and Superfood Organic Dog Biscuits with antioxidantrich fruits and vegetables. Ingredients in each product are listed in detail on the company’s website. Meiering says careful use of natural ingredients is what sets his products apart from the competition. In 1995, he said the only dog treats available were variations on Milk Bones: “a bunch of filler molded into a fake dog bone, with no nutritional value or functional value.” He said Zuke’s was the first company to pioneer a treat that was soft, natural and nutritious. Zuke’s treats don’t have harsh preservatives such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), added animal fat, byproducts or artificial colors or flavors. On the Zuke’s website, they put it this way, with a dose of humor: “We don’t put anything in our products that we wouldn’t eat ourselves – except for Mark in accounting – he’s not so crazy about beets.” A promotional video shows Meiering in an office meeting room, surrounded by eager dogs waiting to do a taste See Zuke’s, Page 13
HAL LOTT/Herald photos
ABOVE: A “Clean Apple Crisp” flavored Z-Ridge is a natural, edible dental chew for dogs made by Zuke’s.
10 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
“There’s a way to do it better – find it.” — Thomas Edison La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 11
Zuke’s best-selling product is the Mini Naturals product line. They are tiny treats with only 3 calories each, and they come three flavors, from left, chicken, salmon and peanut butter. BELOW: Meiering takes time to play with Ellie at the park.
“Innovation is the process of turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable form.” — Watts Humprey, software engineer
ABOVE: A Z-Ridge dental chew bone in Cranberry Fresh Breath includes cranberries, alfalfa concentrate, clove, nutmeg, parsley and fennel to naturally freshen breath. LEFT: Trek leaps for a treat. Power Bones were Zuke’s original invention, intended for “big, athletic Durango dogs.”
12 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
Zuke’s: Continued from Page 10 test. First, he tries a bite himself, then feeds some to the dogs. Zuke’s most successful product on the market is the Mini Naturals, a tiny, soft, moist treat that has only 3 calories each. It is wheat-free, corn-free and soy-free and intended for smaller dogs or puppies. It comes in salmon, chicken or peanut butter flavors. When ordering from the company’s website, a 16-ounce bag costs $12.73 and a 6-ounce bag costs $5.31. Meiering said the inspiration for this product was – again – care and love. The company was at first focused on Power Bones: high-power products for “weekend warrior, athletic Durango dogs.” “But we said, ‘we care about all dogs, not just jock dogs – even little urban poodles in New York City,’” said Meiering. The Mini Naturals were produced as a little treat for smaller dogs and puppies. It’s also intended for obese pets, because the treats are low-calorie. People can interact with their pets and teach them tricks in a non-harming way. Meiering says this kind of loving interaction with a pet helps fill the void in a culture where people are digitally connected but lacking in face-to-face social contact. “That’s why people are paying more for their pets and treating them like little kids,” he said. As Zuke’s thrives and expands, Meiering’s original
dream for the company “has far surpassed what I thought it would become,” he said. “The original idea of an energizing treat is a tiny part of our business now. What’s a huge part is that lifestyle, and how we create our products.” Meiering likes to talk about evolving as a company through creativity. “It’s one of my favorite subjects.” He urges his staff to experiment and collaborate in small groups, asking what is unique and what fits the company’s brand. “For a CEO or owner or entrepreneur, creativity should be built into what the company is about. It’s trusting that every human being is creative – even if they say they’re not.” Meiering says design work in particular is an alwaysunfolding process. The art is created first, and then designers see if it can serve an informative function. Zuke’s 100-percent recycled paperboard boxes also reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability. The company donates a portion of its sales to the Dog & Cat Cancer Fund, a nonprofit started to help needy families get treatment for their pets suffering from cancer. Meiering cofounded the cancer fund. “I think of creativity as an intrinsic knowing of, ‘Oh, that just feels right,’” he said. “There’s a feeling of being at home.” Ì
On the
Web
For more information about Zuke’s, visit www. zukes.com. Learn about the Dog & Cat Cancer Fund, which offers support to needy families who have pets with cancer, at www. dccfund.org.
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 13
“Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.” — George Kneller, educator and philosopher
14 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
LEFT: SoundTraxx Owner and Vice-President Nancy Workman shows a Blackstone model train at the company’s office in the Durango Tech Center in June.
They Put the
Engine
in Engineering
SoundTraxx makes model trains sound ‘true to life’ By Karla Sluis Herald Magazine Editor
D
urango’s train goes “aaaahhwoooooo!” Residents are familiar with this sound, especially in the summer months. But did you know that other trains have distinctively different whistles? The Lunkenheimer 3-Chime sounds like a wolf howl. The Southern Pacific #4449 sounds like a ship leaving the harbor. The Peanut has a high-pitched “hooooooot!” Model railroaders recognize and value these differences, and that’s the reason for the success of SoundTraxx, a flourishing Durango company that creates sound systems for model trains. Hobbyists want a clear sound that is true to life. “It’s their little kingdom,” said Nancy Workman, SoundTraxx vice president/ owner. “They’re trying to create a miniature world that’s as authentic as possible.” Like many model railroaders, company founder Steve Dominguez had a boyhood passion for toy trains. He became an electrical engineer and rediscovered the hobby at midlife. The creative spark for the company came when he made a frustrating attempt to insert an analog-sound system into a train, which nearly destroyed the model. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” said Workman. “He said ‘I can build a better sound system.’” Workman said Dominguez had a product to sell, but didn’t know how to go about it, so she became his partner. They launched Throttle Up! Corp. in 1989, which was renamed SoundTraxx in 1998.
“We were told emphatically by many people that the company wasn’t going to work,” said Workman. “We took a chance.” The company now offers digital sound systems for all scales and prototypes of model railroads. The sound chips are manufactured in Durango at the company’s warehouse in the Tech Center and shipped all over the world. Outside of the U.S., which is by far the biggest customer base, the products are especially popular in the U.K., Australia and Japan. The subsidiary company Blackstone Models includes a full line of train models with built-in sound chips. The models are manufactured overseas. Workman said the company building is completely paid off, there are 20 employees and “financially, we’re in very good shape.” Innovative technology put the company on the fast track to success. Clear digital sound was an obvious improvement over the tinny tones of analog chips. But the company’s creative leap was to integrate emerging digital technology with the idea of on-board sound built into each train. In 1994, a new industry communications standard called Digital Command Control emerged, and SoundTraxx immediately recognized its value in fulfilling their product-planning vision for sound. Before this technology, all trains would go the same speed and direction. The DCC system changed this by sending a signal to chips embedded in each individual train, which allows sounds and movements to overlap. One train gets a signal to go fast and whistle; another slows to a stop with a chugging sound; another See SoundTraxx, Page 17
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 15
Photo courtesy of Nancy Workman/SoundTraxx
A Blackstone Models HOn3 K-27 Mikado and Long Caboose crosses the trestle on Jeff Johnson’s layout. Johnson is Blackstone Models’ project manager and is representative of how employees are invested in SoundTraxx products. LEFT: SoundTraxx uses Digital Command Control technology, which sends a signal to chips embedded in individual trains. This allows a model railroad’s sounds and movements to overlap, as they do in real life.
HAL LOTT/Herald
“The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” Photos courtesy of Nancy Workman/SoundTraxx
— Edwin H. Land, scientist, inventor and founder of the Polaroid Corporation
ABOVE: An engine from Blackstone Models, a subsidiary company of SoundTraxx. RIGHT: This tiny sound decoder is installed inside many small-scale models with a micro-speaker, providing motor, lighting and sound control.
16 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
SoundTraxx: Continued from Page 15 accelerates in the opposite direction. “It’s full of overlapping sounds, so you’re running like real life,” said Workman. “You run the train, not the track.” A blog called SoundBytes on the company’s website describes recording trips all over the U.S. (and recently beyond, in Canada). SoundTraxx workers have the fun job of riding with train engineers to capture the sounds of individual engines, such as the 567 Turbo prime mover locomotive, a popular sound that has not yet been released to a decoder, on the Copper Spike Train in Globe, Ariz. “The sound is truly amazing, and it’s integrated with the models. It’s as realistic as you can get,” said Workman. “It makes the modeler really feel like an engineer.” Cultural changes, the economy and the evolution of the model railroad industry have all contributed to SoundTraxx’s success. Workman said in the past many hobbyists would build train stations from scratch. Now the average modeler is a working man with children. These customers are more pressed for time and appreciate convenience, said Workman. “People used to scoff at the idea of taking a complete model with a sound chip out of box, but they are doing it now.” A shaky economy has not derailed the industry.
Workman says it’s probably because of that sense of escapism people feel when engaged in hobbies at home. “They might not take a big trip or buy a new car, but they’ll divert their dollars to smaller purchases and stay home, where they can work on a little world they have complete control over.” Customer service is central at SoundTraxx, according to Workman. She says it’s important to know the customers, be nice to them, take care of them and listen to them. “The biggest factor in our creativity is that we’ve tried to hire people who are modelers or have at least some interest in trains.” This policy often leads to innovations. A sales person at a trade show will listen to feedback, and return to collaborate with engineers. “They’ll bring it back, saying: ‘someone said it took 12 hours to install this... that’s too long,’ and then an engineer on staff will have that internal ding! ding! ‘I can fix that,’” said Workman. “The knowledge and passion for the hobby drives the connection.” The company’s engineers are always looking for pieces and parts to evolve. The creative fuel is imagination. “When you’re creating a product, you have to read between the lines of what customers say,” said Workman. “Sometimes, they don’t know what they want, or what’s possible.” Ì
On the
Web
Visit www. soundtraxx.com for more information about the company. To hear a variety of Tsunami Digital Sound Decoder sound samples of the various engines, go to this page: http://www. soundtraxx. com/dsd/ tsunami/tsunamisound.php.
Getting hits online is essential to any business, & video is the best way to get them. Animas Media produces web videos that get results. High Definition TV, Web Video, and video production services. p Locally based, nationally recognized since 1983.
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 17
La Plata County Economic
Overview
Experts weigh in on ups and downs of the local economy By Roger Zalneraitis,
By Indiana Reed
Executive Director, La Plata Economic Development Alliance
BID Communications Coordinator
One thing companies often want to know about is how the local economy is doing. And it turns out the economy here has been doing comparatively well this year. The unemployment rate in La Plata County as of April, 2011 was 6.7 percent, Zalneraitis compared to 8.3 percent in Colorado and 9.0 percent nationally. Even more importantly, the number of people working and looking for work is on the rise. We have seen three straight months of year-over-year employment gains, the most since 2008. In contrast, year-over-year employment continues to fall statewide. Through May of 2011, sales and use tax revenues for Durango have increased by 4.7 percent from last year, and lodging taxes are up 6.0 percent. And there were almost 15,000 enplanements at Durango-La Plata County airport in May, the highest ever for that month! Finally, the region is working together to help create sustained economic growth. Durango moved swiftly to approve the new Mercury Village, which could provide up to 800 new jobs in the county when complete. The City has also recently cut its street impact fees by 50 percent. The County is nearing completion of its Future Land Use Plan, which will make it easier to do business throughout our region. We are a long way from the strong economic conditions of 2007 and 2008; but it has been a good start this year, and there is reason to believe that we are moving more swiftly to a strong and sustainable recovery compared with other locales. The mission of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance is to help grow high-quality jobs locally. The Alliance serves as a one-stop-shop for information companies need grow here in the county.
A great deal of research has been done by national organizations validating the connection between a strong downtown and a community’s overall economic vitality. Durango is fortunate to have a picturesque downtown, but it also benefits from signifiReed cant community pride and a symbiotic partnership of the City and the Durango Business Improvement District (BID). Downtown Durango, as we know it today, is a result of a steady evolution. From the early effort to plant trees along Main to the recently installed wayfinding signage – all has been done with an eye to improve the beauty, cleanliness and sense of safety that ultimately encourages downtown patronage and retail activity. The BID, while it was established to pursue development of a conference center, has in recent years evolved into a marketing organization – and “marketing” covers a variety of things. At its core, the BID functions to encourage activity downtown. This is accomplished, for example, through grants for special events, helping fund event infrastructure, organizing umbrella advertising promotions, cleaning sidewalks, and even launching Bocce Ball. According to city records, the Central Business District is leading the way out of the recession with steady sales tax increases. At this writing, downtown is bustling with visitors, and merchants tell the BID that they are witnessing an uptick in sales. All good news. To learn more about downtown promotional efforts, visit www.downtowndurango.org or call (970)375-5067. Also, the informational What’s Up Downtown?” meeting is held monthly on the second Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in City Council chambers.
18 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
More experts weigh in, Page 20
Lake Nighthorse: Power to harness for county’s economy According to an economic impact study by RPI Consulting prepared for the Animas La Plata Water Conservancy District, recreational activities at Lake Nighthorse may result in an additional $7,798,000 in annual expenditures in the county. Accounting for multiplier effects of jobs and earnings for lodging, restaurants and other businesses that support tourism industries, the $7,798,000 in annual expenditures will stimulate a total of $12,718,000 annually in total economic output in La Plata County. That translates into 165 full-time equivalent jobs. BELOW: Lake Nighthorse is shown July 1, the first official full water-level day, from the vantage point of a helicopter. HAL LOTT/Herald photo
“Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.” — Arthur Koestler, Hungarian author La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 19
Region is
‘holding its own’
“Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything.” — George Lois, art director, designer and author
By Joe Keck
By Laura Lewis Marchino
Director of Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center
Region 9 Economic Development District Assistant Director
The economy was pretty tough in 2010. We saw a lot of companies trying to reinvent or re-position themselves, including some constructionKeck related companies going after some of the stimulus funding opportunities. Most businesses seemed very cautious in their economic outlook and spending. Early in 2010, we had a number of clients who were trying to restructure their debt. We also received a number of inquiries on filing for bankruptcy. By the end of the year, we did not receive as many requests in the bankruptcy area. Overall, the La Plata County economy seemed to hold its own compared to the national and state economy, with much lower unemployment rates here locally. Our mission is to assist small businesses to start, grow and prosper. The Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Centers offers free small business counseling, workshops and seminars, economic gardening resources (industry and market research, company reports, etc.) We have a Business Advisor Network that includes 25 experienced business advisors who provide both individual and group counseling, etc. We counseled over 430 clients last year and had over 1,000 participants in workshops and seminars. For more information, visit sbdcfortlewis.org or call (970) 247-7009.
Making timely assessments of the La Plata County economy is difficult, as countylevel data always lags the current Marchino situation. The Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado is a Colorado State Data Center local affiliate and receives a significant number of inquiries requesting data for various reasons and purposes. Region 9 is currently updating all their county-wide economic data and some of the trends show the following: Between 2000 and 2010, La Plata County grew from 43,941 to 51,335 people (17%) with most of the growth occurring in Bayfield (50%) and Durango (21%). Ignacio saw slower growth (4%), as did unincorporated areas of the county (13%). The annual average rate of growth is expected to increase, and then slowly decline over the next 20 years, based on local and national trends. Although there is a relatively low unemployment rate (6.7% in 2011), wages and employment are highly dependent on servicesector jobs driven primarily by the tourist and resort industry. The service sector provides 41% of jobs and 34% of employment income. The trade sector accounts for 13% of jobs and 11%
20 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
of employment income. These numbers lag about two years. People commute to where the jobs are, but take their paychecks home. Most La Plata County residents (79%) work in the county, and 21% commute elsewhere for their paychecks, with the highest percentage (4%) going to San Juan County, New Mexico. Livable wages vary by community. Region 9 estimates that in Bayfield a family of four renting a three bedroom unit would need $31.37 per hour to sustain just the basic needs of a household – including childcare costs. In Durango this hourly wage is estimated at $35.12, and in Ignacio it is $33.12. Since 2007 the cost of living has actually gone down in many of the communities in Southwest Colorado. This is due primarily to decreasing rents and declines in prices of some consumer goods and services. The Town of Bayfield saw a -9% decrease in the cost of living, while Durango saw a 5% increase, and Ignacio held fairly steady at a 1% increase. Region 9’s mission is to be a regional leader, working cooperatively with the private and public sectors to enhance the economic conditions in the area, and improve the region’s economic prosperity. For more information, please call 970-247-9621 or e-mail laura@ scan.org. Region 9’s website will be posting new data by August, 2011 at www.scan.org.
$
By the Numbers
6.7% 4.7% 6.0% 15,000 51,335 41% 13% $35.12 6.7%
2011 unemployment rate in La Plata County, compared to 8.3 percent in Colorado and 9.0 percent nationally Increase in Durango sales and use tax revenues from last year Increase in Durango lodging taxes from last year Enplanements at DurangoLa Plata County airport in May, the highest ever for that month. Number of people living in La Plata County. This is up from 43,941 in 2000 (17%). Percentage of service-sector jobs in the county, driven primarily by tourism. Percentage of trade-sector jobs in the county.
Average hourly rate needed for a livable wage in Durango. In Bayfield it’s $31.37; in Ignacio, it’s $33.12. Unemployment rate in La Plata County, compared to 8.3 percent in Colorado and 9.0 percent nationally.
79% 9% 2.1% $36,500
Percentage of residents who work in La Plata County. 21% commute elsewhere.
Decrease in the cost of living in Bayfield. Ignacio had a 1% increase, and Durango had a 5% increase. Increase in student enrollment at Fort Lewis College from 2009 to 2010.
Region 9 Per Capita Income for La Plata County.
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 21
It’s Hip to Be Square
RIGHT: A quick scan of a QR Code on a T-shirt could send a message to the wearer via Twitter. BELOW RIGHT: FASTSIGNS in Durango offers a page of examples of local businesses that use QR Codes to link to mobile websites.
QR Codes are hot; but think before you link By Karla Sluis
S
Herald Magazine Editor
itting at a monitor is so yesterday. These days, many people take their information like they take their coffee – on the go. Following the recent wave of new Alltel smart phones in the region, business owners are working to attract mobile, tech-savvy consumers. A modern marketing plan includes many now-familiar Internetbased tools, including blogs, Facebook, Twitter and more. Just when you thought you’d mastered these basics, along comes a new must-have tool: the QR Code. Think of it as a little button you push to teleport you somewhere on the Internet. A QR Code resembles a square, black and white bar code. Once you know what a QR Code looks like, you will start seeing them everywhere you go – on billboards, product packaging, vehicles, print ads and more. QR stands for Quick Response. That makes sense, because it takes only seconds to use a code. First, you must have a smart phone and a QR Reader ap. You point your phone’s camera at a code and take a photo. The phone reads the embedded information and redirects you to the proper site. “It’s cool. It’s fun. And people like to whip out their electronic toys,” said Chad Novak, executive director of the Headwater Foundation, which offers cognitive testing for children. Novak was heading up a booth for his foundation during the Daddyfest event in downtown Durango on June 18. His table included a large QR Code for visitors to scan. A second QR Code was taped just above eye level behind his booth. “When you’re talking about brains and brain science, it’s important to have your toes on the edge,” said Novak. “QR Codes
KARLA SLUIS/Herald
Durango Party Rental staff members stand near the QR code on a company truck, from right: Jarrod Magnuson, owner Jon Sigillito, Bronwyn Oney, Justin Curley, Chris Natonabah and Nicholas Danielson. are a talking point. People want to use their not a proper use of the technology – and it phones. They might not take a 10-page may also have the reverse effect of making notebook and read it, but they will scan in potential customers angry. the code and read through the info later. The codes are meant to link to a mobile They’re going to use the code because it’s new website, which is a stripped-down version to them.” with limited graphics designed for the small QR codes are fun and novel; but are they screens of mobile devices. The large amount just a fad, or a valid marketing technique? of data on a website (320 kilobytes, on averShould business owners take the time to de- age) can result in extra charges on a user’s data velop this new tool? plan. A well-designed “mobi” (say moe-bee) Laurie Sigillito says yes; but like any new website is 15 kilobytes on average, or 21 times tool, humans need to use their brains first. smaller. (Data-plan limitations depend on the “It will stay a fad if people don’t get cre- phone and the service provider. People with ative about how to make it useful,” said older phones and minimal plans are the ones Sigillito, the owner of FASTSIGNS in Du- who will incur extra costs.) rango. Her company works with clients to A mobi website is an important adaptaincorporate QR codes in print products. tion in another obvious way: It’s better suited “Clients want to use it because everyone to human eyes and fingers. Tiny screens on is doing it. There’s an education piece to it, handheld devices mean users will appreciate because sometimes people don’t understand clear type and easy-to-push touch buttons. what it is: It’s a snapshot to take you someMany local businesses are using the codes where. But it’s where it takes you that’s im- in an intuitive way. The Durango Business portant,” she said. Improvement District put QR Codes on their Business owners can create a QR Code, locator maps. At the airport, tourists can scan which is free and fast on many Internet sites. the map and take it with them on a mobile But if the link simply goes to a website, it’s See QR Codes, Page 27
22 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
20 creative uses for QR Codes 1. T-shirts 2. Business Cards 3. Installation how-to 4. Name tags 5. For-sale house signs 6. Luggage tags 7. Instruction manuals 8. Museum displays 9. Site markers 10. Recipes on food packages 11. Nutritional info on menus 12. Maps on travel brochures 13. Call us! (order placement) 14. E-mail us! (from phone) 15. Trailers from movie posters 16. In-store: what’s on sale? 17. Public transportation maps 18. Window displays 19. Display classified ad 20. Political campaigns
La Plata County Business Report
•
Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 23
“Too much of our work amounts to the drudgery of arranging means toward ends, mechanically placing the right foot in front of the left and the left in front of the right, moving down narrow corridors toward narrow goals. Play widens the halls. Work will always be with us, and many works are worthy. But the worthiest works of all often reflect an artful creativity that looks more like play than work.” — James Ogilvy, publisher and member of a British royal family
HAL LOTT/Herald photos
Creative businesses take the opportunity to inject fun into their booths at community events. ABOVE: The team Tres Amigos Y Uno Mas represents the Durango Independent Film Festival at the Men Who Grill event on June 4. FAR RIGHT: Children have a blast at the “Wet Zone” created by Pediatric Partners of the Southwest at Daddyfest on June 11. Both events were held outdoors on Main Avenue.
Street Smart Is your booth boring? Event planners offer tips on attracting customers at community events
24 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
By Karla Sluis
W
Herald Magazine Editor
orking an outdoor booth requires a professional look and a juicy hook. That blend of business savvy plus fun will drive people to visit a table at one of Durango’s many summer festivals and fundraisers, according to two special-events experts. A professional appearance is important. A rock sitting on a pile of papers doesn’t look good when there are 50 other vendors side by side. Bob Kunkel, special-events and business coordinator for Durango’s Central Business District, said when you’re selling items at a booth, the rules are the same as selling in a retail store. “It starts with the booth as the front door of the business,” said Kunkel. “The front window would be what’s on display. Is it fresh and inviting?” Carol Clark agrees. She’s the co-owner of Eco Logic Events and the organizer of the weekly Evenings on 8th, a community market and street fair in Durango. “Essentially, you’re setting up a little store,” she said. “And at the event, the person at the booth is the store owner.” Clark said business owners or their representatives must be presentable, and be prepared to talk and answer questions. Kunkel said the person running the booth should do three things: smile, speak first and stand up and approach people – the same thing people should do when a customer walks into their store. An engaging personality is also important in direct-marketing.
“You need to be animated,” said Kunkel. “It’s fun. It’s outdoors. You have to have a bit of a carnival barker attitude.” Clark says business owners shouldn’t just sit in a chair and wait for people to come to them. She suggests drawings, incentives or giveaways as a way to attract people, and possibly get their e-mails for future marketing efforts. One way to attract a crowd is through the senses. Both Kunkel and Clark (by separate phone interviews) offered the example of lamb slider samples from the Fox Fire Farms booth at the Durango Farmers Market. “How do you sell a cooler full of meat?” said Clark. “You cook with it, and let people taste it.” Kunkel said people walking past the booth are hooked by the nose. “They say ‘Oooh, that smells good. I want one.’” People like to eat good food. That’s a no-brainer. Here’s another: On a hot day, children are attracted to kiddie pools like a magnet – bringing parents and their wallets. Ann Morse, owner of Lost Dog Bar and Lounge, discovered this creative marketing strategy by chance. She wanted a fun booth at the Taste of Durango event in May. She decorated the table Tiki-style with leis and flowers to match the décor from the restaurant’s patio, and served shrimp tacos, prickly pear soda and cocktails. At the last minute, a friend loaned her an 8-footby-6-foot kiddie pool, and filled it with blow-up sharks, balls and other floating toys. “There were maybe 15 kids in the pool at one point. It
was the cutest thing ever,” said Morse. Parents could sit and have a cocktail in chairs around the pool and watch their children. It was a hit: The Lost Dog won the “Best Booth” award at the event. Another way to hook potential customers on the street is through curiosity. Clark said Evenings on 8th will have a new feature in July called a Budding Booth. Local artists will pay $5 for a one-time opportunity to perform or create their art as a live demonstration. Clark said the intent is to help starving artists who have never been in a gallery. They can use any medium, but they have to interact with people about what they’re doing. “Many artists don’t realize how hard it is to do direct marketing with a customer. It takes a whole different personality,” she said. “We want the public to get to know them and their work.” The public can see the Budding Booth through the rest of the summer on Wednesday evenings at 8th and Main. The logistics of running a booth can be intimidating for some business owners. Clark said people need to think about covers, weights and a cash bank. Wind and weather is always a concern. Vendors, especially restaurants, also need to be prepared to handle volume with a fast turnaround. Kunkel offers the example of the Taste of Durango, an event with elbow-to-elbow crowds. “Visually, there’s a limit to how long you’ll stand in line – it’s maybe about 10 people – before you say ‘the heck with it, we’re not going to wait,’” he said. Tad Brown, who co-owns Fired Up Pizzeria, said See Street Smart, Page 26
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 25
Street Smart: Continued from Page 25 events are “a ton of work.” “There’s the show itself, plus set up, break down and clean up. But ultimately, the reward is way more than the work,” he said. Beginning in June 2010, Brown and his wife and co-owner Vilma had booths at many concerts and festivals in the Durango area. The reward was creating enough of a following to open a restaurant in February at 1050 Main Avenue. Brown said working events was an effective marketing tool, a great data collector and a way to test the waters in Durango. Despite the work, Brown says events are fun. “I’m not cooped up in the back. It gives me face-to-face contact with customers: You get to hang out and talk with folks you’ve been serving,” he said. It was also a way to get to know the community and confirm that it was a good fit for his family and his business – before making a big investment. Brown offers advice for first-time vendors at street festivals: “Don’t be scared. Just give it a shot. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to what you were doing,” he said. “But doing events like these can be life-changing. It certainly was for me.” Ì
Colorado Enterprise Zone Program helps businesses with tax credits Is your business taking advantage of the Colorado Enterprise Zone Program? You could be missing out on Colorado income tax credits for your business. The Enterprise Zone Program encourages job creation and capital investment in economically depressed areas by providing tax credits to businesses and projects to promote and encourage economic development activities. Did you know your business … l Could receive a 3 percent Investment Tax credit on equipment purchases. l Could get job training tax credits of 10 percent on qualified training expenses. l May be eligible for Research & Development Increase Tax Credits of 3 percent on expenditures. With a New Business facility (NBF) designation, a business can receive… l Jobs credits – $500 per new job.
26 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
l Ag Processing Jobs Credits – $500 per new job (job credit + ad processing job credit = $1,000) l Health Insurance Credits – $200 x 2 years ($4,400) additional per new job. l Could see 25 percent of rehab expenditures (hard costs) credited under the Vacant Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit. As a manufacturing or mining business, the Manufacturing and Mining Sales and Use Tax form can exempt you from sales tax, if filled out prior to purchase and given to your vendor. If located in Archuleta, Dolores or San Juan counties, it could mean larger tax credits under the Colorado Enhanced Rural Enterprise Zone Program (EREZ). Call the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado at (970) 247-9621 or visit www. advancecolorado.com/ez for more information.
QR Codes: Continued from Page 22 device, and they can also download a list of events taking place throughout the region. This cuts down on waste, and is a good green solution for marketing. Laurie’s husband, Jon Sigillito, is the owner of Durango Party Rental. He says QR codes are a cost-effective way to do marketing. “These days, you’re measuring your dollars and cents a little more. But when you look at the possibility of getting a job out of the QR code, and what it costs to have a mobile website developed – it’s worth it.” FASTSIGNS charges $399 to build a mobile website for the first year, which includes initial content build. The second year renewal is $75. Convenience is key for mobile consumers. Local restaurants have codes that connect to online reservations, to-go ordering or full menu offerings. The City of Durango has a code on a print insert that offers specific times, dates and locations of special events. The Wells Group ad sends users to featured real estate listings that can be clicked through one at a time. QR Codes can also be linked to social media. For example, a code can be set up to automatically “like” your Facebook page. Function must follow the form of any tech
tool. It’s a no-brainer, but easy to overlook: Consumers like to use their mobile phones when they’re on the move. That’s why Jon Sigillito put the code on his truck. “People see it when we’re driving or parked at an event. Instead of memorizing the phone number, a driver sitting at a light can just scan in the code and look at it when he’s at home later on,” he said. Brain expert Novak says he thinks the use of mobile devices may change the human brain, because it affects the way we use short- and long-term memory. There’s less and less need to store detail when we can rely on our electronic helpers. QR codes may even be imagined as digital neurons, replacing the physical connectors in our brains. “It shaves off just a few seconds of your life. It offers that slight little bit of ease in storing info,” said Novak. Neil Hannum, the Chip Peddler and owner of Durango Snack Werks, recently blogged about QR Codes. As a former graphic artist, Hannum finds the symbols “painful look at,” but calls them “the pathway to future marketing schemes” because they can add depth to a product or a brand. He is considering using
the codes on individual potato chip bags to suggest food pairings, such as a specific local beer or type of sandwich available at the point of purchase. He says a code on packaging could also tell a story, perhaps to show progress on an adventure bike ride to raise funds or awareness for a cause. “It adds that ‘oh, that’s neat’ factor,” said Hannum. The ever-changing Internet and multimedia marketing strategies can be frustrating for business owners, who are often focused on day-to-day tasks and the bottom line. “Someone told me about QR Codes about nine months ago, and I thought ‘Oh great: another thing on the list of stuff I’m supposed to do,’” said Hannum. “But it’s a good business strategy, because they’re free and easy to link up.” Jon Sigillito agrees. He says there’s nothing wrong with the old way of marketing, using basic signs and print ads. QR Codes are just another piece of the puzzle. “It all leads to the same place – your business. But once you draw people to you, you can’t forget about the basics of having a good product Ì or service and treating cus-
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 27
April’s Garden recently offered Blue Lake Ranch peonies for $2. It’s an example of a special deal of local products for residents.
The Real Deal Businesses work to attract locals with coupons and passes By Elizabeth Silverstein Special to the Herald
T
“Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction.” — Pablo Picasso
ourists swarm Main Avenue when warm weather hits, and there are plenty of deals for those spending money in Durango. However, residents are an important demographic as well, especially when businesses have lost the tourists in what’s known as the shoulder seasons – spring and fall. Many businesses work to attract locals with coupons and punch passes, with mixed success. Ted and Nancy Carr, Durango residents since 1976, have seen the town go through many changes throughout the years, including the disappearance of family restaurants downtown, and businesses doing less for locals. Nancy said that she’s flipped through the 2011 Be Local First Coupon Book, which is printed by Local First. Local First, which was founded five years ago and originally called LOCAL, was started by several independent Durango businesses and the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center. According to their website, Local First was begun by Sustainable Local Economic Development (SLED) Committee of the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado. Local First printed 2,500 copies of the first Be Local First Coupon Books in 2009. Within a
28 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
few months, they sold out. “Most coupons are valued for the entire year,” said LeeAnn Vallejos, managing director at Local First. “So they’re in customers’ hands for the whole year. It’s a great value for businesses.” Last year, they printed 4,000 books and sold all but 100. This year, 4,000 books became available in November of 2010 and were sold out by May.
“We like to offer specials for our locals since we know how much they support us by referring people, bringing guests, etc.” – Andrea Seid, marketing manager of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
“The idea really was to shine the light on locally owned independent businesses and bring together those business owners and support them,” said Vallejos. “And educate the community on the benefit of shopping locally verses chain stores or online.” Vallejos explained that when customers shop locally, the money stays in the community. For every
dollar spent at Maria’s, $45 comes back, in the form of supporting their local graphic designer, accountant and employees. When $100 is spent at a chain, on the other hand, only $14 comes back, since they have a company headquarters elsewhere. Another benefit of supporting local businesses is that the stores provide town character. “It keeps us a unique and distinct community,” said Vallejos. One of the distinct aspects of the community is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Marketing Manager Andrea Seid said that they offer three coupons in the book: 20 percent off of a store purchase of $50 or more; 20 percent off standard-class tickets (up to six tickets); and buy one, get one free applicable to winter train tickets (up to three free tickets). “We wanted to be part of the book since we are a locally owned company and the railroad is such a huge part of this town – historically and now,” said Seid. “We like to offer specials for our locals since we know how much they support us by referring people, bringing guests, etc.” The train offers Local Appreciation dates in January and February on the Cascade Canyon Winter Train, which is available to the Four Corners area. “We like to offer local fares to See Deal, Page 29
Deal: Continued from Page 28 encourage our locals to ride and enjoy the train. We understand that some people wouldn’t be as likely to do so if they were paying full price. We want our locals to feel appreciated by the railroad and to recognize that having the railroad is a benefit to all of us in Durango,” said Seid. Along with the three train coupons, the 2011 Be Local First Coupon Book contains $4,000 in savings with 237 other coupons from 170 local businesses. Durango Rafting Company offers coupons in the book, but owner Mark Tucker said he doesn’t see locals using a service they can get for free if they own their own raft or know people who do. Tucker said the exception is during high water on the river. “They see the river is up, they know it’s going to be an exciting time. They want to go with a professional in case something happens, so they give us a call.” The Carrs have also seen local-day specials available, but scheduling an opportunity to take advantage of the days is difficult. “They do local days in the shoulder seasons, but it’s on a weird day,” said Ted Carr. “Like a Tuesday.” Other people say Local First coupons are well-used. April’s Garden offers a coupon in the book for $10 off an order of $50 or more. Long said that she usually takes about three coupons a week, and the coupons are used most often to cover the cost of an in-town delivery. “I keep the coupon book in my car and look for places to use it,” said Long. “It was just an easy thing to do, and increases awareness.” Jeremy Dakan, general manager at Pine Needle Mountaineering, said the company usually offers two to three coupons
in the Local First book. The coupons are usually for 10 to 15 percent off. “It drives traffic and gets people in here,” said Dakan “I think it’s been really successful.” Residents looking for a deal may find it’s more of knowing where to look and when to turn to the Internet. The Local First book offer deals on coffee, outdoor gear, rafting and more, but companies also use the Internet to promote specials. The Carrs turned to the Internet recently after being quoted a high price for a car rental by a business owner in town. They were told that was the best he could do. They saved $30 by making a reservation online for the same business. April’s Garden owner Amy Long uses the local social-media site Buzztown to promote deals, such as $2 peonies from Blue Lake Ranch. The store also has a Happy Flower Hour every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. “We have a small following of people that come in every Monday to get flowers,” said Long. In addition to coupons and online specials, local businesses have developed shopping as an event, said Anne Klein, a public relations consultant at the Durango Area Tourism Office. “Sorrel Sky is a gallery that does as much entertaining as they do selling,” she said, adding that they have artists paint in the gallery. Klein points to other examples: Maria’s Bookshop organizes lecture series and book signings, the Art Supply House offers children a chance to try different types of art, and more local restaurants are offering local produce. In order to appeal to customers – local or not – businesses are trying to engage customers. “Selling becomes what happens when people are having fun,” said Klein. “There’s a value added to their shopping.” Ì La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 29
OLD-TIMERS’ QUIZ
Back in the Day Test your knowledge of Durango’s business bygone days By Mike Smedley Special to the Herald
W “The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a very creative mind to spot wrong questions.” – Antony Jay, English writer, broadcaster, director and actor
hen people come to Durango, they often remark that town “hasn’t changed much” since the Old West 1880s. How wrong they are! Sure, many of the buildings look the same, thanks to historic preservation. But non-architectural Durango bears little resemblance to the marketplace of 100, 50 or even 10 years ago. After all, Durango is a boom town and boom towns are in a state of constant flux. Towns that don’t or can’t change are called something else – ghost towns. Durango might be a favorite haunt, but it isn’t a ghost town. Nevertheless, many businesses are among the dearly departed. Not so long ago, a great PB&J sandwich was served at Parson’s Drugstore, the fancy French restaurant was called “L’Entrepont” and beautiful people congregated for drinks at one of two Muldoons, one of them “Solid” and other “Old.” Talk about a town that “hasn’t changed much.” Let’s test your knowledge of Durango’s business bygone days with this quiz. 1. The Bank of the San Juans downtown branch used to be: A. A paint store and undertaker’s office B. An organic grocery store co-op C. A dance hall with “fancy women” D. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s regional public-works office 2. Mountain Bike Specialists was once: A. The Spoke-N-Word, a bike shop and religious book store B. The Dew-Drop-Inn tavern C. The Outdoorsman hunting and fishing store
30 • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • La Plata County Business Report
D. Zink’s Fine Billiards Emporium 3. “The Chief” statue across from the Toh-Atin Gallery was once: A. The welcome sign for a now-defunct casino outside Winnemucca, Nev. B. The icon of The Chief Diner, which was located where Tile Art/ Light Art now does business C. A stage prop for the 1946 Broadway production of “Annie Get Your Gun” starring Ethel Merman D. Durango’s first “howdy pardner” highway welcome sign 4. For many years, the building that houses City Market South used to be: A. The Town Plaza Pizzeria and Bowl-A-Rama B. Yellow Freight’s Four Corners shipping warehouse C. A Montgomery Ward department store D. The Durango Auto Plaza car dealership 5. Durango High School’s front parking lot was once the site for these two businesses: A. A Safeway grocery and Junction Creek Liquors B. A Lot-A-Burger drive-in and Rudy’s gunsmith shop C. The old Mitch Larsen pet shop and Mitzi’s Fine Beauty Parlor D. The Sweet Dreams Motel, which burned to the ground under suspicious circumstances in late 1973 6. Durango’s DoubleTree Hotel was constructed as this franchise: A. Howard Johnsons B. Red Lion Inn C. Marriott D. It’s a trick question – it has always been the DoubleTree 7. Purgatory Ski Area used to own and operate a downtown business called:
A. Perk-A-Tory, a British coffee shop B. Purgatory Sports ski, clothing and accessories C. Ray Duncan’s Double Diamond Grill and Spirits D. The Angel and Cherub childcare facility 8. Henry Strater, who built the hotel that still bears his name, was: A. Once a member of The Wild Bunch and robbed a train with Butch Cassidy B. A talented musician who invented the four-valve trumpet after making a fortune in the hospitality industry C. A young druggist who was a lousy businessman and went bust in the Silver Panic of 1895 D. Hit and killed by Durango’s first automobile while giving insurance inspectors a tour of his downtown property 9. The corner buildings that now house the Wells Group real estate brokerage and the Irish Embassy Pub were once: A. Local banks B. Dueling head shops in the late 1960s through early ’70s C. Important dry goods/feed stores for Durango’s early settlers D. The Chaste Arms boarding house, where men’s facilities were in the western building and ladies in the east until longtime residents successfully dug a secret love tunnel under Main Avenue to connect the properties 10. Duranglers, Cosmopolitan and Tippy Canoe are located in a building that used to be: A. A Studebaker dealership B. A fern bar where John Denver was discovered C. An 1890s opium den “wellness center” D. A Woolworths store and luncheonette
11. The A-frame building near Brookside Park was: A. Home of the local Chamber of Commerce B. A model for do-it-yourself cabin kits C. Durango Mountain Resort’s original lift ticket office D. Built as affordable housing by Peace Corp volunteers 12. Fort Lewis College used to be located at: A. Hesperus B. Ignacio C. South of town where Walmart now stands D. Hermosa. 13. Durango has never had: A. An adult bookstore
0-4 5-8 9-11 12-13
Mike Smedley is a banker and the Herald’s Action Line columnist, who still remembers when Steamworks was an auto dealership.
1-A, 2-C, 3-B, 4-C, 5-A, 6-B, 7-B, 8-C, 9-A, 10-D, 11-A, 12-A, 13-D
Answers:
B. A roller skating rink C. A drive-in theater D. An International House of Pancakes Resources: If you want to appreciate Durango’s business gyrations, read Rocky Mountain Boomtown, by Duane Smith, visit the Animas Museum at 3065 West Second Ave., or do a history stroll and read the green plaques installed in various locations in and around town; interpretive brochures are available at the Durango Arts Center, Public Library, City Hall, Recreation Center, Center for Southwest Studies, and the Durango Visitor’s Center.
Herald file
Miner (You’re in the dark) Trian Conductor (You’re on the right track) Local Yokel (You know quite a bit) Honorary member of the Good Ol’ Boys Club Herald file
Filler for Back to School
ABOVE: Chapman Hill was Calico Hill in 1967. LEFT: In 1974, Sambo’s was in Denny’s present location.
La Plata County Business Report • Sunday, July 24, 2011 • 31