Among the vibrant storefronts along Durango’s Main Avenue, a few new names are present, and demand for space is outpacing availability.
In the last six to 12 months, Wells Group agents have heard from more people wanting to open a business in the Central Business District than they have in years, said John Wells, founder of the company.
While commercial vibrancy is positive, it may mean businesses need to be patient in their search for space, he said.
Some of those who have found a new space in the last year include Sticks & Stones Handmade, Crow’s Closet, Old Colorado Vintage, Schlotzsky’s, Mesteño Gallery and Urban Market Home on 5th Street.
The owners of Sticks & Stones, a small gallery, waited about two years before finding the right location on the 700 block, said Micki Hassemer.
Sticks and Stones opened in January, even though it can be a tough season for retail because foot traffic along Main Avenue is key to its business model.
“We’re more a shop you need to stumble upon,” she said.
In the 400-square-foot space, Hassemer and her husband feature their own handmade work and work by eight other artisans.
Hassemer’s simple gemstone jewelry and her husband’s wooden earrings have been some of the best-selling work, Hassemer said. But the shelves are also filled with pottery, soap and hand-turned bowls.
A few doors down, Crow’s Closet, opened over Memorial Day weekend after another clothing store closed.
“We thought: Hey, now’s our time to jump in,” said Anna Whalen, store manager.
The store is owned by Backcountry Experience, but it offers casual clothes for men and women, instead of mountaineering gear.
Whalen came from the Backcountry Experience store at Purgatory that closed for good at the end of the season. But the closure was not related to the opening of Crow’s Closet, said Margaret Hedderman, marketing coordinator.
“We didn’t close the Purgatory location in favor of Crow’s Closet. Main Avenue is the shopping center of Durango. Having a presence in the heart of downtown Durango is something every retailer dreams of,” she said.
Light summer dresses, men’s shorts and buttoned shirts currently line the walls and much of the selection is reminiscent of what you’ll see at a summer party full of locals in town. And that’s exactly what management was trying to achieve.
“It’s 80 percent what Durango people wear,” said Megan Sanders, assistant manager.
In the coming months, management plans to fill the floor with more shoes, casual jewelry and other products.
While some searched for the right space, owners of Mesteño Gallery found the right business first. Taliah Agdeppa and Thomas Tamburello took over the space previously occupied by Wild Shots Gallery from Claude Steelman in January.
The couple were personal friends of Steelman, and they still display his work as well as sculptures and woodwork. They have found foot traffic to be key to sales because the art and photographs are more stunning in person.
“They really grab you and take you in,” Agdeppa said.
While Main Avenue space is sought after, it is not the only area of town where retail space is full, Wells said.
Along the U.S. Highway 550/160 corridor, most buildings are full, including most of the spaces in the Home Depot and Walmart shopping malls.
“I think we see a pretty good balance of occupancy and minimal vacancies,” Wells said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
