MAY 16 / JUNE 13, 2018
REDSTONE • REVIEW
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COMMUNITY Simblissity Tiny Homes offer downsizing and affordability By Don Moore Redstone Review LYONS – “If I’d had a tiny house on wheels, I’d still have a home.” The speaker of those words is a man who lost Moore his home in the Lyons flood of 2013, and what he said has become a mantra of sorts for Byron and Dot Fears, owners of Simblissity, a Lyons based business that designs, builds, and sells tiny homes. “Our main market is baby boomers and millennials, people who want a simpler way of living,” Byron said recently. “For the boomers it’s about downsizing and for millennials it’s about affording their first home.” The Fears moved to Lyons after spending many years living in a log home in Hawaii, where Byron used his architectural background to design and build small living spaces in boats, vans, and homes. They like the lifestyle of living in small spaces and that’s the kind of home they live in here. Needing to make a living following the move, transitioning into the tiny home business was a natural for them. The operation was founded in 2014, and now with five fulltime workers, plus Dot and Byron, business is good. They have completed their 29th home and have begun construction on the 30th. According to Simblissity’s Facebook page, the Fears will also partially build a tiny house shell for the
kitchen, bath with toilet and shower, living area, and depending on size, one or more sleeping areas. Installation of a customer to finish with personal details, We believe in living sustainably and our propane fireplace is an option. Each home provide consulting and construction help, tiny homes reflect that philosophy.” is built on a steel frame with wheels and and turn ideas into reality. That notion is reflected in using far can be towed behind a pickup truck. “We are known in the industry and fewer materials in construction compared In addition to building homes for sale, the have a reputation for building the highest to building a traditional home; using cur- Fears are also building some for rent, with quality product,” Byron said. two models currently under “We like to think it’s like construction, a “gypsy home” building a yacht on wheels.” and a “teardrop.” Both are They are proud to say that being built for towing, the their tiny homes are teardrop behind a vehicle such Recreation Vehicle (RV) as a Subaru, and the gypsy and American National home behind a larger vehicle Standards Institute (ANSI) such as a pickup truck. The certified. Again according to plan is to build three gypsy and Facebook page, the four teardrop models, and all Simblissity is the only Tiny will be available for rent this Home builder that offers a summer. A major problem 2/10 Home Warranty. This is with the tiny house movement an insured program that prois finding a place to locate vides a ten-year structural them, and Lyons is in the warranty. process of permitting them in In addition to being built residential areas. The ordifor and used as homes, Byron nance being considered by the said the units can be town will allow a limited numdesigned and used as a spare Dot and Byron Fears are the owners of Simblissity, a Lyons based busiber of the units to be located bedroom, an office, yoga stu- ness that designs, builds, and sells tiny homes. on residential lots. dio, or a storage room. The Simblissity is located at company offers tiny homes in sizes of 24-, rent green technologies in construction; 4559-D Ute Hwy., Longmont, CO 80503, 26-, 28-, and 30-ft. long by 8-ft. wide and reducing the usage of fossil fuels and for more information call Dot and models, with a fully completed 24-ft. which translates into using less energy. Byron at 303-885-5991 or info@simblissimodel offered for $65,000. “People who are attracted to the tiny tytinyhomes.com. Tours are available, but “Additionally, we have built 32- and home concept are usually ones who want to by appointment only. 39- ft. long units, and I see the future reduce their footprint on the planet. They leading us into more 10-ft. wide tiny are also people who don’t want to be indenDon Moore is a retired lawyer and the homes,” Byron said. “That will give a tured servants to their house,” Byron said. author of Love is a Verb: Healing Yourself homeowner 25 percent more space, and it All models are designed for four-season through Love, Gratitude and Compassion. seems to be where the market is heading. living and come with a fully equipped He lives in Lyons.
New tavern in Lyons offers unusual self-pour concept By Bonnie Auslander Redstone Review LYONS – These days you don’t think twice about pumping your own gas or inserting your own credit card into a point-of-sale machine. So why not take it a step further in this
Do It Yourself economy and PYOB (pour your own beer)? That’s the concept behind Lyons’ newest restaurant, the Quarry, which coowner Jason Surges says is slated to open Memorial Day weekend. There, on Route 36 adjacent to Western Stars Gallery and Studio, where
The Quarry, a new concept restaurant where you tap your own beer, plans to open Memorial Day weekend. Pictured are co-owner Jason Surges and marketing and event coordinator Elisa Pope. PHOTO BY MILO AUSLANDER
Servicing Lyons, Estes Park, Allenspark and surrounding areas
Sam Schwab
Full Service Plumbing & Heating Repair Residential & Commercial
SchwabPlumbing@hotmail.com
Office: 303.586.2810 Mobile: 303.579.3146
the Ax and Oar used to be, a new wall with 18 taps stands ready. Each tap has a touchscreen above it with information about the drink – mostly beer, with a few wines and cider as well – including the price per ounce. A radio frequency identification or RFID bracelet, issued once you enter and present a photo ID and credit card (or cash deposit), keeps track of how much you dispense. This means customers can pour themselves as a little as an ounce if they want to sample. Just as importantly, there’s no need to flag down a busy bartender – once you have your bracelet, you’re good to go. The bracelet also keeps track of your bill, similar to running a tab. “We’ll highlight the best Colorado has to offer on a rotating basis,” Sturges said. “And we’ll provide selections from outside the state and country to give even the most seasoned Colorado beer drinkers options they’ve never experienced.” Surges met Ryan Dregalla, the Quarry’s co-owner, when they were undergraduates in Fort Collins. Dregalla, a passionate kayaker with a background in construction, has been in love with Lyons since
then. He moved here last July. Surges has over 15 years of restaurant management and experience under his belt. This is the partners’ first restaurant. The small (for now) menu will include what Surges terms “elevated” mac and cheese offerings as well as a variety of barstyle appetizers and salads. Marketing and events coordinator Elisa Pope scrolled through a tempting photo display of the plated food. Surges aims to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere “similar to what you might find in your buddy’s back yard,” he said. “We want to span the bridge between the Pabst Blue Ribbon drinker and true explorationminded beer fan, and we want to keep it affordable, too – we want you to be able to have two drinks and a full entrée for under $15. And have the food out in under ten minutes,” he said. Children are welcome as long as an adult is with them. Floor staff will be on hand to assist with anyone who is “struggling to pour correctly,” says Surges, or who wants to discuss the offerings. And, like all good bartenders, staff will “engage you in conversation if they sense you want to chat – or leave you alone if you don’t.” After you’ve had two beers or its alcoholic content equivalent – all magically Continue Quarryon Page 19