By Gentrye Houghton

The charming mountain village of Redstone is buzzing with new energy as its beloved Redstone General Store opens its doors once again. The store, housed in a historic cabin that dates back to the era of coal baron John C. Osgood, had been closed since late February. Significant damage occurred last spring when a heavy tree fell on the building. Now, its reopening over Memorial Day weekend signals the exciting first step in a larger plan to create what those involved describe as a "village within a village." This vision imagines a unique, welcoming community space nestled within the greater Redstone area, all centered around the cherished Redstone General Store. 

The store's temporary shutdown was necessary to facilitate repairs as well as an opportunity to complete the first phase of its rebirth. This initial stage included cosmetic repairs — fixes that refreshed the store's appearance, like mending walls and applying new paint. But the plan reaches beyond just the building. The cheerful ice cream trailer once again stands by to offer sweet delights. This entire first part of the project was slated for completion just in time for last month’s holiday weekend. 

Lisa Mattson, who was already involved in a personal project nearby, stepped in to help facilitate the repairs and expressed a strong determination regarding the reopening. Mattson, along with Gina Tossinari and Rochelle Norwood, explained that they have greatly missed the community and are eager to serve them once again, particularly during the busy summer season. 

Mattson recently shared details of this ambitious project during a presentation at the Crystal River Caucus meeting last month. She clarified that the work on the General Store is an ongoing process. There will be continuous incremental repairs, and the second phase is already in development. This next stage aims to add more square footage to the store with the addition of a commercial kitchen. While patrons will continue to find the goods and supplies they’ve come to expect in the store's current location, the addition will continue to create a dedicated retail space as well as expand the existing coffee shop to the old “Wild Horse” building next door, and building a permanent, "proper" ice cream parlor, again, to be located on the adjacent property. 

The restoration work already finished on the General Store has been extensive. "During our recent closure, we’ve been focused on comprehensive interior restoration," Mattson explains. The aim, she adds, is "to ensure this historic building serves the community for the next century to come.” 

This careful work has centered on bringing back the building’s original character. They worked on "improving the space capacity where we can," Mattson notes, meaning they are making more usable room inside. "We've also restored the original fir floors," she says. (If you haven’t stepped into their doors yet, the floors are rather stunning!) 

They also exposed chimneys that had been concealed for decades, revealing old fireplaces, and even uncovered a rear window that she explained had been blocked for years. Mattson emphasizes, “These efforts preserve the authentic historic elements that make the General Store special by keeping the genuine, historical parts of the building alive.” 

Every new business and building in this "village within a village" will be deeply connected to local history. Oriana Moebius, the owner of both the General Store and the adjacent property, and Mattson are collaborating closely with the Redstone Historical Society. This non-profit group is dedicated to preserving and sharing the town's past. Together, they plan to incorporate artifacts that tell stories about Redstone's past and historical information into each part of the project. 

Mattson shares that their focus extends beyond just business, however; they want to contribute meaningfully to the community. She says they aim for people to understand Redstone's importance and its unique story within Colorado. 

The new ice cream parlor will bear a name rich with local significance: Lady Bountiful. This name pays tribute to Alma Osgood, J.C. Osgood’s second wife. Alma was beloved for being notoriously generous, she was widely known for her great kindness to children and adults alike, and for her immense involvement in the community. 

The coffee shop will be called Coal Miner's Daughter, a name that reflects Moebius's fam- ily history. The name is just one example of how the project further weaves personal narratives into the new commercial vision. 

Moebius's family has deep roots in the Crystal River Valley going back more than 100 years. "After all," Mattson explained to caucus participants last month, "[Moebius] is a coal miner's daughter." 

A major component of the upcoming Phase Two is an approved 800-square-foot addition. This new space will house the commercial kitchen. "This expansion will create a seamless connection to our backyard, where we plan to develop additional community gathering areas," Mattson shares, describing a smooth link to outdoor spaces designed for village folk to meet and socialize. 

The schedule for this second phase depends on the Pitkin County permitting processes. However, Mattson says, "We're working toward completion by year-end." She adds, "If permits proceed smoothly, construction could begin as early as late June." 

This new kitchen will become a busy center of activity. "It will provide prepared foods for the General Store, supply the Coal Miner's Daughter Coffee Shop, and create sweet treats for the Lady Bountiful Ice Cream Parlor," Mattson details. "It will also allow us some catering opportunities for the community as well." 

At the General Store itself, customers can anticipate fresh loaves of bread, baked goods, sandwiches, side salads, and other grab-and-go items for both on-site dining and takeaway. The kitchen will also allow them to package dry goods using local ingredients, such as pan- cakes, waffles, and cornbread mixes. 

Furthermore, Mattson said that they are already in discussions with local food producers. She explained that the plan is to use the new kitchen facilities to support their canning and food processing needs with products that will be then available on their shelves. "This creates opportunities to strengthen our local food net- work while offering the community access to locally-produced goods," she said. 

Mattson hopes that visitors will find Redstone to be more than just a quick stop on their journey. She hopes they will discover it as a place of respite — a peaceful spot for rejuvenation — rather than just a quick pass-through. 

Those involved with the project extend a warm invitation for everyone to visit. They encourage people to come out, support the small community, and experience their warm welcome, where patrons may gather to hear the many interesting stories about Redstone. With its doors now open and a bright future ahead, the General Store is poised to write an exciting new chapter in Redstone's rich history.