Shop Rite in Monte Vista, Colorado is a New Business

Shop Rite in Monte Vista

Monte Vista Shop Rite is not just another retail store; it is a discount specialty store that provides what the community wants and needs with unique products and services. With over 35 years of experience in retail, Anita Wazny, owner, said “I know that without customers there is no business. We are customer and market driven and will do what is necessary to maintain a good and healthy relationship with our clientele and will strive to find the right inventory to keep them happy.” She feels fortunate to have employed Erica Medina, who was manager of the former business at this location, and has been a tremendous help in getting the new store up and running. They share a vision to have the store be more like a trading post, catering to local needs. To fulfill this purpose, they have placed a suggestion board by the front door and ask customers for input on items they would like to see on the shelves. They offer free coffee and doughnuts daily to show appreciation for their customers.
The store carries new and unique items as well as much of your daily need items. Among the new products you will find in the store are Italian charms with which you can create a one-of-a-kind bracelet, watchband or keychain. The store is an outlet for fresh baked goods, jams & jellies from the Miller Family Bakery. There is also a consignment area for local craft items that now showcases “cut & curl” candles made by local artisan Bill Mathias. The parking lot has market space for vendors available for a minimal fee.


Anita currently lives in Albuquerque, but was born and raised in Montrose, Pueblo and Denver. She really likes being her own boss and has long wanted to move back to a small town in this state. When she saw this building was at auction, it seemed like the perfect fit for her. Anita contacted the Monte Vista Chamber for information, then followed with contacts with Dick Davidson of the SLV Development Resources Group and Donna Wehe at the Small Business Development Center for information and resources.

Donna and Deanne Elliott, SBDC Counselor for Rio Grande County, helped Anita to refine her business plan in preparation for a loan application, as well as shared marketing and merchandising information relating to our area. The SBDC offers free and confidential business assistance, runs low cost workshops and facilitates the Leading Edge Program. To contact the SBDC, call 719-587-5151 or go to www.coloradosbdc.org.

Anita feels it is important to be a contributing member of the community, so has enrolled Shop Rite as a member of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce. The new business, located at 1935 Grande Avenue, is in a convenient location to the residents of the east side of Monte, but is worth the trip for everyone else. They look forward to seeing you soon for their Grand Opening.

The phone number for MV Shop Rite is 852-8850. The store is now open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Papers of Distinction in Alamosa, Colorado

Papers of Distinction, LLC
      Sally Lopez is not just another retailer in downtown Alamosa. This woman has many artistic talents that she has used to express her faith and give back to her community. She has operated her store for over 11 years and offers a wide variety of retail paper, scrapbooking, stamping and educational materials. She also can provide design and printing of business cards, flyers, invitations, laminating, color copies and book binding. She sells balloons and other special occasion products for the party planner as well.

La Capilla do Todos Santos, San Luis, Colorado

    But sitting on her counter near the cash register, one can't help but notice the beautifully arranged musical CD entitled, AGAPE, with a photo of the church that sits on the hill overlooking San Luis (La Capilla de Todos Los Santos). With each CD sale, the proceeds benefit the order of the Theatine Fathers who have served as parish priests in the San Luis Valley. Sally and the Agape Musicians recorded the CD at the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis and at Sally's Grandma Bea's home located across from the church. Then the final mixing and mastering was created by Don Richmond at Howlin' Dog Recording Studio in Alamosa. The music of Andy Manzanares, Jeffrey Jaquez, Sally Lopez, Brother Juan Marinoni Ruiz and Danny Quintana will fill you with the meaning of Agape: "The Love of God." You can find unique, religious "shaker" cards that Sally has created as well. So if you haven't frequented her store on State Avenue, stop by and browse around. Sally is full of surprises! Not to mention that she also plays guitar with Mariachi San Luis, a group well-known for their musical talents from ages 8 yrs. to 60 yrs!

Sandboarding at the Sand Dunes National Park

Sandboarding at the Great Sand Dunes National Park

NPS Photo by Patrick Myers. Woman carving a turn at Castle Creek Picnic Area. Sandboarding, sledding, or skiing on sand can be enjoyable - but only with the right gear and conditions.

Where can you rent a sandboard? One place locally is at Kristi Mountain Sports, located in the Villa Mall in West Alamosa. This business is known as the “specialists in human and gravity powered sports.” Owner, Eric Burt, said that “a small group from Adams State College came and rented the boards for their trip to the Dunes and they had a blast.”

These boards are designed differently from snowboards and rent for $18 per board per day and they have 7 boards available. They also have 2 sleds and a staff member said, “the people that rented the sleds said they had just has much fun on them as they did on the boards.” The sleds are the same rental fee.

Cardboard doesn’t work! Sandboarding, sledding, and skiing are permitted anywhere on the dunefield. From the main visitor parking area, it's a minimum 2/3 mile hike to get to the medium sized slopes. Have a great time enjoying this unique national treasure!

In April, 2010's edition of Oxygen Magazine, Stefani Jackenthal writes about sandboarding at the Sand Dunes. The article is located on page 132, and is titled "Total Body Fitness."  Local sandboarder and fitness enthusiast, Chelsea Vittoria, is quoted in the article as saying, "You think you're in good shape and then you hit the dunes! But it's so much fun and easier than snowboarding beacuse the boards are smaller and thinner, making them easy to turn - and the sand's so smooth."

Colorado PTAC Government Contract Assistance

Colorado Resource for Government Contracting

Save the Date: A Government Contracting Workshop on May 26, 2010 at 1:30 at Adams State College, Porter Hall, Room 130, Alamosa, Colorado.  Brought to you by the SLV Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the offices of Senator Michael Bennett and Congressman John Salazar, the SLV Development Resource Group, Adams State College Community Partnerships and the Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation.

Colorado recently welcomed PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) to Colorado Springs in late 2009. This organization works to help businesses obtain government contracts by providing free and confidential counseling on selling products/services to appropriate government agencies.

The organization’s purpose is to improve the economic condition of Colorado and to generate employment in the community. While staff will not assist in writing proposals or bids, they do offer to research contract award histories, explain solicitation requirements, review bids and proposals, search government databases for opportunities and provide information on government procurement processes.

House of Pets in Alamosa, Colorado gets ARC loan

HOUSE OF PETS BENEFITS FROM STIMULUS FUNDING PROGRAM

Alamosa, Colorado


House of Pets Owner, Mike Lopez, wondered how he was going to catch up on bills that seemed to mount up during the recession. How was he going to replenish his inventory, begin a new marketing campaign and keep his doors open? He felt he had budgeted to the bare bones but still wasn't coming out ahead. Then he heard about the Small Business Administration's one time offer to help business owners during these tough times by paying off existing debts with a no-interest loan. Luckily, 1st SouthWest Bank in Alamosa had been preparing for this program and the lenders were happy to assist him. Of course, when you are working with the government, there seems to be a never ending request for paperwork. When he finally thought he had submitted everything, Greg from the bank called him and said he needed projections. Of course, this is right when Mike's computer was in the repair shop. So then he contacted Donna Wehe at the Small Business Development Center for assistance. With the help of his CPA, Donna, and Greg, he was finally able to produce all the required documents. Greg was persistent to make sure the SBA received the application and finally the funding came through. Even though it seems like a small amount to most lenders, it was a huge relief to Mike. Since then he has added some new inventory, cleaned up his shop and is welcoming the warm weather with planned outdoor activities. House of Pets has been in Alamosa since 1984 and is located near the WalMart shopping center on Del Sol Drive. He offers the only store in the San Luis Valley to fully service your aquarium and a wide selection of fish along with other pet products. His puppies are not from a puppy mill but from a highly qualified breeder and Mike can be reached at 589-3773.

Saguache County Workshop Series

Saguache County Credit Union, Moffat, Colorado
3:00- 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday - April 20 New Business Start Up
• Tuesday - May 18 Financing Your Business
• Tuesday - June 22 Guerilla Marketing Ideas
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Saguache Schools, Saguache, Colorado
3:00- 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday – May 4 Create Your Own Blog Workshop Bring your own laptop.

Register by calling Donna Wehe, 587-5151
Cost: $10 per workshop or $30 for all four (scholarships available)
Sponsored by Saguache County Credit Union, Saguache County, Saguache Chamber, and Saguache County Business Association

Doggie Day Care Expands in Alamosa

Dog Days Inn, Alamosa, Colorado

Due to high demand, Dog Days Inn has added new hotel rooms for their four legged patrons.  This small business is really growing.  Available services include doggie day care, boarding, and grooming.  They offer a wide selection of retail products, researched by the owners, Lara and Carl Ciasulli, to enhance the health of your pet. They are located next to the Alamosa airport on State Avenue in Alamosa, Colorado.