DECEMBER 31, 2025 - JANUARY 7, 2026
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
ParentSquare simplifies D51 communication
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 1
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Retro Revival
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
M
esa County Valley School District 51 is launching a new districtwide communication platform, ParentSquare, a move the district describes as an effort to simplify how schools communicate with families and improve consistency, access and engagement across the district. Beginning in January, ParentSquare will become the district’s primary communication tool, replacing a mix of emails, phone calls, robocalls, text alerts and school-specific apps that have varied widely from building to building. According to district materials, the transition is intended to ensure families receive timely, reliable information through a single, centralized system rather than requiring parents to monitor multiple communication channels. Consolidating communication across the district Under the new system, districtwide announcements, school news, classroom updates, attendance notices and emergency alerts will be delivered through ParentSquare. Families can receive messages through the mobile app, email or text message, depending on their preferences. See story on Page 5
Phone Medic added Retro Games to its name and now has 14 pinball machines and hundreds of vintage video games at its Mesa Mall location —See story, Page 2 Destin Vasquez, an employee of the Retro Games by Phone Medic store in Mesa Mall, stands in front of three of the store’s pinball machines – Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Deadpool – in the Stern Pinball Alley, which opened inside the store in the spring. The Deadpool pinball machine is one of her favorites, and she loves the “Jaws” machine that is at Phone Medic’s other location, 1210 North Ave. The Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean machines are among the newest additions. She said one of the cool things about the Pirates of the Caribbean pinball machine is “you can sink the ship and fight the Kraken.” Photo by Tim Harty.
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 67 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501
The Business Times
Page 2
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
Fix your phone, play pinball
Pinball machines and retro video games have become big part of Phone Medic’s business in mall
A
person interested in playing a variety of pinball machines in Grand Junction would likely look to bars and arcades (good luck finding the latter). And Pinball Map’s website, pinballmap.com, yields the names of bars Wrigley Field Sports Bar & Grill and Scallywags Bar and Grill, each with four pinball machines, plus Arcadia in the University Center at Colorado Mesa University, where it lists three pinball machines. That makes sense. Would you look for them at a phonerepair shop? Of course not. Ah, but you should. At least in Grand Junction you should, because that’s where the motherlode is, as Phone Medic’s location in the Target wing of Mesa Mall added a half-dozen pinball machines since mid-November to its growing collection. Most of the machines reside in a dedicated area in the rear of the store, but it’s becoming more obvious pinball is a burgeoning part of Phone Medic’s business. Phone Medic recently placed several at the front of the store, drawing eyes to them. Then, a deeper look into the store reveals a line of pinball machines along a back wall – store employees officially call it Stern Pinball Alley – with a mix of current machines from Stern Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball and vintage machines, such as the 1992 Mario Bros. machine that Phone Medic owner Tyler Butterfield recently brought into the fold. The pinball themes represent popculture phenoms: Marvel Comics staples such as The Avengers, X-Men
Retro Games by Phone Medic in Mesa Mall has 14 pinball machines, including several with themes from Marvel Comics, such as these X-Men and Avengers pinball machines. Photo by Tim Harty.
and Deadpool; Star Wars, be it the original movie or more recent series The Mandalorian; Harry Potter; Dungeons & Dragons; King Kong; Jurassic Park; and Pirates of the Caribbean. The pinball-machine count at Phone Medic in the mall stood at 14 as of Dec. 23, and it’s joined by vintage video games and consoles as a new and different business element for Phone Medic, which also has a store at 1210 North Ave. The North Avenue store is much smaller than the mall store, but it still has room for two pinball machines of its own and a selection of vintage or retro video games. Phone Medic entered 2025 as a business that primarily does what its name suggests. It repairs cell phones. But the sign above the entrance to its mall location now reads: Retro Games by Phone Medic. The change was born of necessity as Butterfield said its Mesa Mall location was in jeopardy as its lease was set to expire at the end of February 2025. Butterfield didn’t want to go into the gory details, but he negotiated with the mall to keep his Phone Medic location, and it meant he had to limit his cell phone accessories to 30 percent of the store’s space. Something new had to fill the other 70 percent, and pinball and vintage games became the answer. “I had been going to conventions all around the western United States, doing retro video games, and so I just decided to bring kind of that, that passion of mine, into the store,” Butterfield said. “And it’s been fun. We’ve just been building the store out and bringing in the pinball machines and all the retro gaming stuff.” See PINBALL on Page 6
MORE ABOUT PHONE MEDIC Tyler Butterfield owns four Phone Medic locations. In addition to the pair in Grand Junction – 1210 North Ave. and inside Mesa Mall, 2424 U.S. Highway 6&50 – he has a store in Durango and one in Gallup, N.M. The North Avenue store was the first in Grand Junction. Butterfield thinks he opened it in 2015, then added the Mesa Mall location in 2019. Butterfield said he has operated businesses in Mesa Mall dating back to 2006. The employees want to play The employees at Retro Games by Phone Medic are glad Butterfield chose pinball as an addition to the store. “I laugh with my employees, because they all love pinball,” he said. “On their breaks and stuff they come and play. On their days off they come and play.” Butterfield admits he’s no pinball wizard and said of his employees, “They all can kick my butt.” Different reasons for interest While Butterfield likes pinball and vintage video games, he’s not obsessed with either. His interest stems
from other things. For instance, he looks at a pinball machine and likes the art and the mechanical sense of it. “It’s just kind of a fascination of how it’s put together mechanically,” he said. As for video games, one of his two brothers was into video games, and while Tyler wasn’t fanatical about them, video games became a way they bonded. Once he committed to having pinball and video games in his store, it brought out one of Butterfield’s defining traits. “When I do something, I try and just do it to the fullest extent,” he said. Will fix anything Not to be forgotten in the emergence of vintage video games and pinball machines is the phone-repair work that led Butterfield to open his first Phone Medic store about 10 years ago at 1210 North Ave. He emphasized the repair work is not limited to phones.
PHOTOS AND STORY BY TIM HARTY
“We can fix literally anything: phones; tablets; laptops; TVs; monitors,” Butterfield said. “Honestly, anything we can get parts for, we can fix. We do micro soldering. We can change out charger ports. If somebody’s broken their phone, they don’t have to really throw it away; we can fix it.” Taking requests When it comes to vintage video games, Butterfield said Phone Medic is game for tracking down what people want. “If anybody needs a hard-to-find game or just any game in general, we do a wish list,” he said. “We’re actively searching for those items to bring them in for them.” That’s if Phone Medic doesn’t already have it, and he said, “Oftentimes we do have it.” Butterfield likes providing that resource, because customers are “used to just having picked-over stores that don’t really have some of the rare stuff.” Turning the tables, if people want to sell their games, he said Phone Medic will consider buying them.
ll
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
n mall
The Business Times
Page 3
The Business Times
Page 4
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
City Council adopts adjusted parks impact fees Brandon Leuallen
Council debate over affordability and housing impacts During council discussion, members expressed The Grand Junction City Council agreed during differing levels of priorities on how the parks impact its Dec. 15 workshop to adopt revisions to the city’s fee affects housing affordability, particularly for parks and recreation impact fees after additional entry-level homes. analysis and extended discussion about housing Council member Ben VanDyke warned that affordability, legal defensibility and how the city various rising fees disproportionately affect lowershould fund park infrastructure as it grows. priced housing. The decision follows a request from the Housing “It takes the bottom end out of the market. It and Building Association of Western Colorado takes the starter home out of the market, so we can Anna Stout Cody Kennedy to reconsider the parks portion of the impact-fee Ben VanDyke build whatever we want into our policy to create the schedule approved earlier this year. According to park system we want to have. But at the end of the materials provided to council for the workshop, builders raised concerns that the parks day, I think it’s important that we all remember that we will have neighbors that cannot fee relied on land values that did not reflect where future parks are likely to be built and afford to live in that subdivision,” Van Dyke said. could unnecessarily increase the cost of new homes. Council member Anna Stout talked about parks being underfunded when she originally came into city council and said, “When people buy a home in a new Why city reopened parks impact fee subdivision, they expect parks. That’s part of what they’re buying into. They expect there Grand Junction is required by municipal code to periodically review and update its to be parks nearby, and they expect the city to be able to maintain that level of service as impact-fee studies. the community grows.” According to the “Parks Impact Fee Discussion” executive summary included Van Dyke responded, “I was just at a meeting recently where housing affordability in the Dec. 15 City Council workshop packet, the most recent impact-fee update was was the number one issue people were talking about. It wasn’t parks. It was whether completed with assistance from TischlerBise and adopted by council in April 2025. That people can afford to live here, and I think that has to be part of this conversation as we’re update eliminated the city’s prior parkland dedication requirement and replaced it with a making these decisions.” recalculated parks impact fee collected at the time of building-permit issuance. Mayor Cody Kennedy said they are trying to balance the city’s need to fund parks The city’s updated impact-fee recommendations were based on a Development without discouraging development of needed housing. Impact Fee Update & Study by TischlerBise, contracted in April 2024 for a not-to-exceed “I don’t want to short the city on the revenue that we need in order to construct the cost of $149,810, an amount negotiated to stay within the city’s $150,000 budget. parks that we need for development,” he said. “But at the same time, I don’t think it’s The parks fee drew scrutiny. According to a letter included in the packet, the Housing necessary that we gouge developers, when they’re building these developments that we and Building Association of Western Colorado argued the fee overstated parkland- need. We need more affordability in our housing market.” acquisition costs by averaging high-value downtown and multifamily properties with Council member Jason Nguyen argued the magnitude of the parks impact fee should lower-cost residential land on the city’s edges. be kept in perspective relative to broader market forces. The association also cited state law and federal court precedent governing “It’s a couple hundred dollars on each unit. Yes, that’s something,” Nguyen said. “But development exactions, arguing impact fees must be proportionate to the actual impacts of when housing prices have gone up – in early 2020 the average home price in Junction was new development. Builders requested that council delay implementation of the increased under 300,000 dollars, and now it’s like 413,000 – so yeah, we’re taking a couple hundred parks fee and revise the methodology used to calculate land-acquisition costs. dollars off. It’s real money, but it’s maybe not what’s driving the affordability crisis.” “I get it,” Stout said. “It’s challenging when we are in a housing crisis, but at the same Consultant analysis and staff response time it’s every expense we run into as well: police; fire; any of our services. The costs City staff responded by developing several alternative land-value calculations. aren’t going down during the housing crisis either.” According to the staff presentation, these options involved removing downtown Van Dyke stressed that a single fee isn’t the only reason costs are going up, but the properties, removing central city properties or removing the highest and lowest land cumulative costs on new homes add up. values from the dataset. “I think sometimes we focus on one thing at a time, a couple hundred dollars here, a The staff report emphasized the revised approach does not eliminate the parks-impact couple hundred dollars there, and each one on its own doesn’t seem like much,” he said. fee, but recalibrates it to better reflect likely future-acquisition areas. “But when you stack them all together, whether it’s parks, transportation, fire or other Option 1 removes downtown properties from the land-value dataset. requirements, that’s how housing keeps getting more expensive.” Option 2 removes central city properties from the dataset. Council ultimately agreed to proceed with Option 3, which removes high and low Option 3 removes the highest and lowest land values (outliers) from the dataset. land-value outliers from the dataset used to calculate parkland-acquisition costs. The Business Times
The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 424-5133 www.thebusinesstimes.com The Business Times is published weekly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or advertisers. Copyright © 2026 All rights reserved Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Letters to the editor at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Submit stories or story ideas to: stories@thebusinesstimes.com
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
ParentSquare Continued from Page 1 Information posted on the district’s ParentSquare page states the platform is intended to standardize messaging practices across schools, reducing inconsistencies that have sometimes led to missed information or confusion for families with students in multiple buildings. ParentSquare also supports two-way communication, allowing parents and guardians to message teachers, principals and other school staff directly while providing staff with tools to manage and document communications. Designed to improve access, reduce barriers According to the page, ParentSquare includes built-in translation tools that allow messages to be automatically translated into dozens of languages. The page describes the system as a way to improve access to school communications and help ensure families receive time-sensitive information such as attendance notices, transportation updates and school-closure alerts. The page also says parents can customize how and when they receive notifications, including delivery method and frequency, allowing families to manage message volume while still receiving critical updates. Integration with existing student records ParentSquare accounts will be automatically generated using contact information already on file with the district, eliminating the need for families to sign up for an additional platform and helping ensure school contact information remains current. Families will receive an invitation by email or text message, prompting them to activate their account. Parents can access the platform through the ParentSquare mobile app or a web browser and are encouraged to verify contact details, notification preferences and language settings once the system goes live. What changes for teachers, staff In responses to parent questions on the district’s official Facebook announcement, the district said ParentSquare is intended to streamline communication for teachers and administrators by consolidating messages, reminders, forms and event notices into a single platform. Staff will be able to send messages to individual parents, classrooms, grade levels or entire schools without switching between multiple communication systems. The district said training resources and support materials will be provided for staff
The Business Times
and families during the rollout. Broader trend in school communication ParentSquare is used by thousands of school districts nationwide, including several in Colorado. District materials say District 51 evaluated multiple communication options before selecting the platform, citing goals related to consistency, accessibility and ease of use. The district framed the rollout as part of a broader effort to strengthen family engagement and ensure parents have clear, timely access to information affecting their students’ education. Additional details, activation instructions and the district’s FAQ are available online at www.d51schools.org/parentsquare. Questions raised on Facebook Following the district’s Facebook announcement, parents asked how ParentSquare will work in practice and whether it will replace existing communication tools. In response to questions about downloading the app, the district said parents and guardians are not required to download ParentSquare to receive messages, which can still be delivered by email or text. The district said the app offers the most comprehensive access to school and district information. Parents also asked whether ParentSquare will replace platforms currently in use. The district said ParentSquare will replace several existing communication tools, including SchoolMessenger, ClassDojo messaging, Remind, TalkingPoints and Google Groups or listservs. Some behavior-related tools may continue temporarily, but the district said those platforms will be phased out over the next semester, with ParentSquare becoming the primary method of classroom, teacher, coach and school communication beginning in August 2026. Concerns about duplicate messages were raised. The district said parents will be able to customize notification settings, including daily digest options, and staff will receive guidance to help limit message overload. Transportation-related questions were addressed as well. The district said ParentSquare will serve as the primary platform for general school and district communication, while My Ride notifications will continue to be managed through Student Transportation of America. In emergency situations affecting school operations and transportation, notifications will be sent through ParentSquare.
Page 5
Page 6
The Business Times
Retro Games by Phone Medic in Mesa Mall has hundreds of retro and vintage video games, such as this section of Sega Genesis games, which include Sonic the Hedgehog. Photo by Tim Harty.
Pinball
Continued from Page 2 The retro revision began with the vintage video games on March 1, because Butterfield and one of his brothers already had a collection of old video games from yard sales and such where they would find old games and “pretty big collections.” Since then, Butterfield is always on the hunt for more. “It’s not like a product you can go buy from distributors, that you have ways to get inventory” he said. “You have to go out and find inventory or have inventory, and it’s just difficult. You can’t just call up a supplier and say, ‘Hey, I need this. Can you send me this many of them?’ If I wanted (Nintendo) GameCube games, I’ve got to go find them from either individuals or people bringing them into the store, so you kind of have to create your own marketplace.” Listing some of what Phone Medic now stocks, Butterfield rattled off, “Dreamcast, Sega, Nintendo, the original NES, Super Nintendo, N64, GameCube, Switches. “I mean, we have literally everything available. I didn’t have several rare systems, you know, Ataris. We’ve had Nomads – it’s like a really old handheld Sega Genesis – (Sony) PSP, PS Vita, so there’s tons of them.” A couple weeks after the vintage video games showed up on Phone Medic shelves, pinball machines started arriving. For those, too, Butterfield is ever-vigilant for potential acquisitions.
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
“I have ones that I like,” he said. “Some of the vendors, they’re making new ones … I’ve got dealers that are always contacting me when the new machines are coming out. … They just say, ‘Hey, do you want this one?’ And if it’s one that I like, then I get it.” Or, if someone has a request, Butterfield might track it down. That’s what he did for a high school kid, a frequent pinball player at Phone Medic, who wrote him a letter in October and requested Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye. “I happened to come across that game in my travels, so I brought it in,” Butterfield said. “So, he came in with his dad and was playing it and was really happy. “For me, it’s just fun to provide some enjoyment, see people enjoy the machines.” Likewise, Butterfield enjoys the reaction from the video gamers. “It’s a little bit of history with video games,” he said. “There’s a lot of collectors that come in and have different stories and different connections to different games. So, I find the journey is more important than the destination.” Whatever brings people to his store is fine by Butterfield. “We haven’t really done too much advertising, if any at all,” he said. “It’s just been word of mouth, but we have quite a few regulars that come in and are playing quite a bit of pinball. So, it’s been fun.”
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Brown ends 32-year tenure, retires from ANB Bank Board
Paul Brown, right, is joined by ANB Bank Regional President for Western Colorado Vance Wagner, left, and Sturm Financial Group Inc. Chairman Susan Sturm during a recent event at Colorado Mesa University Tech. Photo courtesy of ANB Bank. Tim Harty
The Business Times
ANB Bank Regional President for Western Colorado Vance Wagner asked the question, so he could answer it: Do you know anyone who sat on a board of directors for a business for 32 years? Wagner said most people would be hardpressed to name one, but, of course, he knows one: Paul Brown, a third-generation owner of Monument Oil in Grand Junction and a member of ANB Bank’s board for 32 years. Wagner brought it up, because Brown isn’t going for a 33rd year. The Dec. 16 board meeting was Brown’s last, and Wagner said ANB Bank, which has 30 locations in Colorado and Wyoming, is losing a rare director with the 68-year-old Brown retiring. “For me as the regional president, he gave me a great perspective on the business climate and pointed out to me things that he thought were important in the community,” Wagner said. “And what I mean by that is, like, the city would do projects, and we help the city out. Or individual nonprofit groups would have an initiative for something, and Paul will tell me about it, and we support that initiative. “That’s what a board member is supposed to do, and that’s what me as a president listening to board members is supposed to do, so we can try to help each other out, make our community a better place.” Wagner said Brown took his seat on the board of directors when ANB Bank was known as Mesa National Bank in Grand Junction, back when Wagner was first starting out. So, Wagner has seen all along how Brown approached his board duties. “Paul came on back in those days and was an immediate contributor to the organization, and I think that’s just kind of natural for him,” Wagner said. “Thirdgeneration family over here in the valley, and I think it came very natural for Paul to be on that board, because he’s a kind of community-minded guy.” To say Brown’s approach came naturally is a reflection of how he was raised and the mentors he had in the business
world, beginning with his father, CR Brown. “I had a great mentor with my father who was on the United Banks of Colorado legal board for many years,” Brown said. “I just remember that even in my college years, when my dad served on that board, how he felt about serving the community, because the bank obviously intertwined in most communities that they’re doing business. And you know, my dad kind of led the way, showed me the importance of helping your community through these kinds of board memberships and participation.” CR Brown also had a hand in his son landing on ANB Bank’s board of directors, as CR declined the invitation of bank owners Don and Sue Sturm and suggested they consider Paul instead. Paul was in the room when that discussion took place, and he recalls CR saying to the Sturms, “Here’s a young man that would be a good opportunity if you want somebody that has an understanding of what it takes to be on a legal board and is community-minded.” Paul Brown said he didn’t know that was coming, and he was surprised when CR looked at him when referring to the “young man,” then was surprised again when his father described him as capable of being what the Sturm’s needed as a director. After Paul accepted the board position, there was only one way he knew to approach it. “When you get asked to do things like that, you want to be able to do it and do it right,” he said. Paul finished the story with: “Here we are 30 years later, and it has been a terrific journey and a great opportunity to try to serve my community.” Correction: 32 years later. And Wagner said both parties were better for that lasting relationship. “You know, he just made a difference for our banking group to be, I would say, a good corporate citizen,” Wagner said. “Because that’s what we want to do, we want to do good business, be a good corporate citizen. And you can’t do that without direction from people who are leaders in the community, and certainly Paul has been that throughout his career.”
Page 7
The Business Times
Page 8
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
Flu activity on the rise in Mesa County
Mesa County Public Health said in a Dec. 22 news release that flu activity in the county increased significantly in midDecember. Since Oct. 1, there have been 36 flu-related hospitalizations, and during the same period in 2024, there were 12 flu hospitalizations, the news release said. Mesa County Public Health has investigated nine respiratory-illness outbreaks since Dec. 9. At this point last year, no outbreaks had been reported. These outbreaks are impacting congregate settings, places where many people spend extended time together in close proximity, such as a school or nursing home. “We have seen a substantial jump in flu hospitalizations recently. While flu is a seasonal virus and patterns can vary from year to year, the upcoming holidays mean more gatherings and more opportunities for spread. Taking preventive steps now is especially important to help protect the most vulnerable in our community, including young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems,” said Will Rausch, epidemiologist at Mesa County Public Health. Rausch added, “We always recommend the flu vaccine, as it’s safe
and effective in protecting yourself and others. Simple steps like staying home when sick and washing hands also reduces the spread and helps keep our community healthy.” Mesa County Public Health said it’s not too late to get a flu shot. After vaccination, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop an immune response. Mesa County’s vaccine specialists are available to answer questions and help people decide what vaccines are right for them. The Mesa County Public Health Clinic currently offers high-dose influenza vaccine for adults 65 and older and standard influenza vaccine for anyone six months and older. Call 970-248-6906 to make an appointment. Influenza vaccines are available for both insured and uninsured patients. The health department recommends the following preventive practices: staying home when sick; washing hands often; staying up to date on vaccines; covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing; and cleaning frequently touched surfaces, first with soap and water and then a bleach-based disinfectant to effectively kill the flu virus. F
Yoshi Su Plaza. Ph
SUE 50
E 32, IS
VOLUM BER 24
DECEM
FOR SOURCE FINITIVE THE DE
nomy Local eco hold to d te c e exp 2026 steady in Brandon
Leuallen ess Times
The Busin
M
- 31, 2025
NESS ON BUSI JUNCTI GRAND
E 1994 WS SINC UNITY NE & COMM
Yo
s
g n i r b s s Busine ng the swi
my is ty’s econo esa Coun remain stable to diexpected continued by d rte suppo ess inin 2026, ady busin on and ste is unlikely to it versificati ights However, vestment. wth, according to ins ea gro on Ar see rapid and Juncti Ecoring the Gr al shared du Commerce’s annu . of Chamber ok event on Dec. 15 the st, tlo nomic Ou the keynote foreca recognized Before r be am ction Ch nsions, Grand Jun ess expa emal busin several loc the role of existing and g nt emphasizin driving investme unty. in Mesa Co ployers activity in ed that, over ort economic rep ls n cia offi organizatio Chamber the , 25 busie of 20 the cours $46.03 million in ing exist by de recognized ments ma ness invest oss the county. acr s incompanies uarter recognition me, Fourth-q Care at Ho ghtingales invest cluded Ni ed a $650,000 ort e job; on of on which rep the creati 00,000 ment and mpany with a $6 Co a $1.7 d th an wi ay za Br Pla ocers nt; Valley investme Natural Gr five estment; d million inv llion investment an mi million with a $3 th a $14 wi p llto Hi Sportnew jobs; and River City nt; ation of investme ed the cre -quarich report rth fou al plex, wh ion s. Addit d Big30 new job included BBSI an job s ed ich report estter honoree lting, wh inv horn Consu did not disclose t growth bu . nts ge 5 ment amou See story on Pa
Rig
OM
IMES.C
INESST
THEBUS
al Swing The Soci ic and N owners, sen, think an Tegan H gathering al any soci ter with et can be b bile golf o their m r simulato n Page 2 o — Story
estCo ber at W in Novem the Western ft launch of with a so area, but most , ing . Sw Social l Swing service ess, The Junction The Socia side busin be in the Grand oto courtesy of ll rted their Ph nsen sta events wi golf simulator. Tegan Ha ct most of their ile d ob an m c Ni eir pe to take th . They ex Brewing e for them fair gam Slope is
After an exciting first year in 2025, look for more from your Business Times Weekly in 2026! • Classifieds • Special Sections • More Stories • Increased Distribution We’re growing and can’t wait to do even more to serve the Grand Valley communities!
D PRSRT ST ID AGE PA U.S. POST NO. 67 PERMIT Times ess The Busin e., Suite 5 Av 609 North on, CO 81501 cti Grand Jun
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Yoshi Sushi opened Dec. 10 at 2695 Patterson Road, Suite 11, in Village Fair Plaza. Photo by Tim Harty.
Right where it wanted to be Yoshi Sushi’s owner coveted the spot where Kuniko’s restaurant previously resided Tim Harty
The Business Times
When the owners of Kuniko’s Teriyaki Grill retired and closed the restaurant in mid-June, Nawl Za Hmung seized the opportunity to lease the space at 2695 Patterson Road, Suite 11, in Village Fair Plaza. He said he had that location in mind for a sushi restaurant for the past three years and kept an eye on it. He didn’t want to miss his chance, he said, because he sees it as an ideal location. “It is surrounded by the clinic and the hospital and university, so I think this is a great location,” he said. Hmung needed time to do some renovation and buy new equipment, and he had hoped to open in October, but a few delays pushed Yoshi Sushi’s opening back. It finally opened to customers Dec. 10. Hmung, who is 33 years old, said he came to Grand Junction four years
ago, and he’s a chef with about nine years of experience in hibachi and sushi restaurants. And while he was working to open Yoshi Sushi, he also helped his younger brother, Bik Thawng, who owns Sumo Sushi, 220 Palmer St. in Delta. Hmung said Yoshi Sushi’s food will be made-to-order, and service will be similar to fast-casual places where customers place their order at the counter, then wait for their number to be called. The restaurant can seat about 30 people. The menu includes a variety of regular rolls and special rolls, plus rice bowls and sushi burritos, and Hmung made it a point to mention Yoshi Sushi will serve fruit teas and flavored teas. He also emphasized Yoshi Sushi’s food is “good quality and a good price,” and added, “If they are looking for, like, a Poké bowl, it’ll be a good place.” Yoshi Sushi is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. F
Page 9
Page 10
The Business Times
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Page 11
Page 12
The Business Times
The Staff of The Business Times wishes our readers and advertisers a
Blessed Christmas and the
Happiest and Healthiest New Year.
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Page 13
Museum considering consolidation, other strategies
As the Museums of Western Colorado approach our 60th anniversary in 2026, we find ourselves at an important moment, one that invites reflection, thoughtful planning and open conversation about the future of our museums and the role they play in our community. For many years, museum professionals and civic leaders have encouraged us to examine how our sites can best serve Western Colorado for the long term. Previous assessments by the American Alliance of Museums, the nation’s leading authority on museum standards, recommended that we explore consolidation as one of several strategies to improve sustainability, strengthen visitor experience and reduce long-term operational strain. Mesa County Commissioners have echoed similar Shenna recommendations in past discussions, encouraging us to evaluate Hayden how our physical footprint aligns with community needs, tourism trends and fiscal responsibility. These recommendations were not mandates, and they were not conclusions. They were invitations to ask important questions, questions we are now addressing through a formal feasibility and strategic planning process. No decisions have been made. As museums across the country face rising maintenance costs, aging infrastructure and shifting visitor expectations, we have a responsibility to ensure that the Museums of Western Colorado remain stable, relevant and impactful for decades to come. That means carefully studying options, engaging with city and county partners, and – most importantly – listening to the people we serve. Over the coming months, we will be exploring multiple possibilities, including updated exhibits on a consolidated campus in downtown Grand Junction, Fruita or our Cross Orchards Historic Site. Each option brings different opportunities and challenges, and each will be evaluated through feasibility studies, financial modeling and discussions with local officials. Again, no site has been selected, and no direction has been finalized. What has been decided is our commitment to transparency and community engagement.
On Monday, Jan. 13, 2026, we will host our annual State of the Museum Address at the Museum of the West, followed by a community roundtable discussion. This event will mark the official kickoff of our 60th anniversary year and provide an opportunity to share where we are, how we got here and what questions we are exploring as we look ahead. The roundtable portion of the morning is especially important to me. This is where we will listen – to learn what stories our community wants to see told, what experiences matter most and how our museums can continue to reflect the people, history, science and spirit of Western Colorado. Revitalization is not just about buildings; it’s about relevance, access and impact. The work ahead is thoughtful by design. We are conducting feasibility studies, collaborating with city and county leaders and evaluating long-term funding strategies that could include future public-support measures. It’s important to our values that we proceed with responsible cultural stewardship – carefully, collaboratively and with an eye toward sustainability. Our 60th anniversary is not simply a celebration of where we’ve been. It’s a commitment to where we’re going. I invite our community to be part of that journey, to ask questions, share ideas and help shape the future of the Museums of Western Colorado. Together, we can honor our past while building a museum system that inspires discovery, strengthens education and serves Western Colorado for generations to come. F Shenna Hayden is the executive director of Museums of Western Colorado
STATE OF MUSEUM ADDRESS The State of the Museum Address and Community Roundtable will take place Monday, Jan. 13, 2026, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave. This free event is open to the public. RSVP information is available at MOWC.co.
Page 14
The Business Times
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
We a
R
thing in c Whe whether t When questions The s Having a devote th Take step. Try For e Beginnin The “A” “How do The Create a g The time you
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Resolve to make goals, not resolutions
We are approaching the new year and the overwhelming tradition of New Year’s resolutions. January 1st of EVERY year becomes that day when we write down our list of items that proclaim that this will be the year that we change our lives for the better. Items may include weight loss, stopping a bad habit or saving money. Will your list look like last year’s list? For most of us, it is very similar. So, why are New Year’s resolutions unsuccessful? Simply put, it’s because there isn’t a plan to follow. This year, don’t call it a New Year’s Resolution List. Let’s call your list GOALS. The reason why I encourage the change is this: Paula Goals work. Goals mean action. Goals mean there is a plan. Most of us make a list for the grocery store or errands that need Reece to be run, or we create an agenda for a meeting. These all have one thing in common: something that needs to be done and how we intend to do it. Whether you realize it or not, you are setting mini goals each day, regardless of whether they are on paper or a mental list in your mind. When you begin to write your new goal list for 2026, begin with asking yourself some basic questions as to why you want to do this, and how it will change your life if you achieve it. The second step is to prioritize the items according to what is most important to you. Having a goal list with only a few items that you are serious about will make it easier to devote the time and attention needed to make you successful. Take one item at a time. Learning to take that item and turn it into a goal is the next step. Try using the SMART system when writing your goal. For example, you may have written down that your number one goal is to lose weight. Beginning with “S,” make your goal specific. The “M” stands for measurable. You have to be able to measure your progress. “A” stands for attainable. Put your goals into smaller mini goals. Refer to the joke, “How do you eat an elephant? You eat it one bite at a time.” The “R” stands for reasonable. This is where many people create unrealistic goals. Create a goal that you can actually see yourself completing. The “T” stands for timely. Goals take time to achieve. You need to know how much time you are willing to give to achieve your goal. Most importantly, give yourself a
Page 15
timeline of when you want to achieve it. Another important piece to being successful with your New Year’s goal list is to hold yourself accountable. Decide each week (ahead of time) what you plan to do. For instance, take two group-exercise classes. Attend a strength training class or exercise with a buddy. Tell someone who is close to you about your plan. Ask for their help in keeping you on track. Setting goals that follow the SMART plan and holding yourself accountable will lead to success. Planning and commitment are what makes the difference between achieving the goals you want to achieve to enhance your life or waiting until the next January and putting the same items back on your list. Challenge yourself to write goals this year, not resolutions. F Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call (970) 242-8746 or visit the website crossroadsfitness.com.
Page 16
The Business Times
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Page 17
Seriously, thanks for reading. And advertising. And sticking with us. Well, except you, maybe. But let’s start this column with what’s most important. The fact that every week for the past 52 weeks, you’ve had a copy of The Business Times available to pick up and read. And folks, that was goal Numero Uno back on Jan. 8, 2025. One could say, “Mission Accomplished.” To me, it’s more like a darned good first step. Since you’re reading my column once again, I’ll assume you’ve read about the story behind The Business Times finally making the switch from a seriously successful twice-a-month publication into a growing, more popular, weekly. You already know this decision didn’t come easily or quickly as I’d been thinking about it for several years when only two things stood in the way: The need to do it and the money to do it if the need ever occurred. And for those five years, there really was no need to do it. The Business Times was basically turnkey in its twice-a-month Craig Hall schedule, and I couldn’t have had life any better. So maybe there was a third thing in the way: My lack of desire to put in the effort. Contrasting that lack was my desire to get more into community news, particularly when it came to shining a light on my favorite target to put into stories, also known as government. Not in the sense that it always needs to be blamed (although it does seem to receive a lot and welldeserved), but more in the sense that the people need to know everything it’s doing. So, I suppose at this point I need to thank Phil Castle for retiring. After all, it was the spark that ignited the fire. And no, I don’t mean that in the sense that I needed Phil out of the way. More than anything, I needed Phil over those 25 years to mold The Business Times into the quality product you enjoy reading. Even better, one which could easily make the shift to weekly without skipping a beat. What’s in your hands is Phil’s handiwork. All I ever did was make a few sales and write half a page of my thoughts (more on that a few paragraphs down). Beyond thanking Phil, I want to send out an even bigger thank you to our advertisers. As I mentioned, doing this weekly thing requires investment. And if you read my last column (as I am sure all our good readers did), you might recall how all too many investors tend to want a paper done their way, to which I always said, “No way.” So, the investment in doing this came from our great group of current advertisers, who pretty much all stayed with The Business Times in its new venture. As we head into Year Two, the trend continues as they see the value and continued growth of the paper as a sound investment. None of this happens without them. Imagine that. A newspaper whose advertising
base continues to grow. Maybe that’s because of the other group I can’t thank enough for the success of The Business Times, our readers. Time and again I get emails, voice mails and notes (yes, even with subscription checks) from both long-time and new readers about how much they are enjoying the new version of their favorite paper. So here I am, a full year into the new Business Times and I have to say, it’s become an even better version of what I envisioned. We’ve been able to bring community stories into the fold while still publishing all the great business stories we’ve been known for. We’ve kept and grown our advertising and reader bases this past year and look forward to adding classified ads and bringing back our very successful, advertising-driven, special sections. Gotta give the people what they want, no? Even if that special “sumthin’ sumthin’” is more of the wit and witticism of yours truly. To the dismay of many (and today, to the one caller I made the unfortunate choice of answering my cell phone to) I’ll still be writing. Since we’re talking about my musings, let’s get into the weeds on that phone call. First off, if you call me and open with you really like my paper and think we do a good job, you should know I know the ol’ But Monkey is about to make an appearance. And second, if you make the call personal, you really either don’t read the paper that often or you don’t really like it – both of which are fine by me. This person did both because they disagreed with my opinion column. Funny how I got the call today when I’ve written on the topic half a dozen times this past year. But I suppose they had to say it over the phone and make it personal while using the anonymity of the phone to remove the personal, while making it very personal. After all, if you wrote the paper in a letter to the editor, you’d have to put your name on it. I’d also probably publish it. I suppose this also tells me I need more letter-to-theeditor interaction with our readers, along with op-eds. Still too many going to other newspapers in town. So, I guess I got a few things to work on. Just know, writing to a paper about what you want it to be won’t be one of them. I like the one we’ve created just fine. Where’s the fun in doing the news like everyone else in town? As always, and what I need to get back to in responding to folks by email or phone, thanks for reading. And advertising. And coming along on Year Two of this adventure. In Truth and freedom. F Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
Page 18
The Business Times
n Western Slope receives $278K in GOCO grants
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) awarded $278,029 to improve accessible outdoor learning, conserve working lands and wildlife habitat, and support a collaborative conservation and recreation effort across the Western Slope. Highlights include: • $141,429 to West Slope Outdoor Alliance to support collaborative efforts advancing regional conservation and recreation goals. • $43,000 to the North Fork Pool, Park and Recreation District to improve several Delta County trails and outdoor education sites. • $49,600 to Colorado West Land Trust to protect a 266-acre ranch in Montrose County. • $44,000 to Colorado West Land Trust to protect a 1,156-acre property in Ouray County. The grants are part of more than $25.5 million in GOCO funding awarded statewide for conservation and recreation efforts. I’ve linked both the regional and statewide releases with more details, including media contacts for the projects.
n Munro Supply celebrates 60 years, expands team
Munro Supply, a distributor of hose, pumps, valves, fittings and industrial products, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Munro Supply partners with Western Colorado and Eastern Utah customers in the industrial, mining, energy, municipal, construction, irrigation and agricultural sectors, providing strong local inventory, technical product expertise and professional-grade pump-repair services. Munro Supply also announced the expansion of its expert team. The new members are: Delean Hall, sales manager; Tim Bryant, southern territory account manager; Carter Paiz, northern territory account manager; and Matthias Schmidt, marketing director. “Reaching 60 years is a testament to the strong partnerships we’ve built with our customers and the dedication of our entire team,” said Katie Munro Powell, Munro Companies president. “We’ve always focused on solving problems and simplifying our customers’ work by providing quality products and hands-on support. As we look to the future, we are thrilled to welcome new talent who will help us continue that tradition of excellence for the next 60 years and beyond.” To learn more about Munro Supply visit www.munrosupply.com.
n County completes Highway 6 improvements in Clifton
Mesa County joined community members, state partners and the construction team this month to celebrate the completion of the US 6 Clifton Improvements Project, the county said in a news release. The corridor between First and Fifth streets is now designed to move traffic more efficiently while creating safer conditions, the news release said. The improvements include modern roundabouts at each end of the corridor, upgraded pedestrian connections and design changes that slow traffic and reduce conflict points. These upgrades are intended to improve traffic flow while lowering the risk of serious crashes, especially at
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
busy intersections. “This project represents more than just pavement and roundabouts,” Mesa County Commissioner JJ Fletcher said. “It reflects years of working hand in hand to identify needs, plan improvements and invest in infrastructure that makes our community safer and more accessible.” Mesa County also completed adjacent roadway improvements on 32 1/2 Road to help maintain access during construction and improve connectivity for local drivers. That work helped reduce disruptions for residents and businesses while the project was ongoing and continues to support travel options today, the news release said. County leaders emphasized the long-term benefits for the community as the improved corridor supports local businesses, enhances access to nearby neighborhoods and creates a safer, more welcoming gateway into Clifton, the news release said. “With the completion of this project, what was once a busy and sometimes congested corridor has been transformed,” Fletcher said. “These improvements will serve Clifton for decades to come.”
n Deadline to apply for SBA economic-injury loans approaching
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Colorado of the Jan. 5, 2026, deadline to apply for lowinterest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning March 4, 2025. The disaster declaration covers the Colorado counties of Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, San Juan and San Miguel as well as the Utah counties of Grand, San Juan and Uintah. Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Jan. 5, 2026. However, after the deadline has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.
Business Bites: A Couple Updates For You
• Sweet Coloradough, 1410 North Ave. in Grand Junction, recently added Fridays to the days it is open, now putting it at four days per week. • Puff N’ Pour is all set on its alcohol licensing and is now selling alcohol in its store at 3026 Patterson Road, the former home of Bookcliff Liquors. Puff N’ Pour opened Oct. 7 and has been selling vapes and tobacco products while waiting for approval to sell alcohol.
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
The Business Times
Page 19
Page 20
The Business Times
December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026