The business landscape in La Plata County is shifting this week, marked by a blend of community-focused collaboration, strategic corporate restructuring, and the departure of a local eatery. From a tribute to veterans through craft brewing to significant financial moves at a prominent chocolatier, here is the latest update on the region’s commercial developments.
Veterans Honor Service with “Boots on the Ground” Collaboration
In a heartfelt initiative aimed at increasing the visibility of the veteran community in Durango, local service members have collaborated with area breweries to launch a special project. Marine Corps veteran Cody Knowles, who serves as the head of house management at Steamworks Brewing Co., spearheaded the effort to bridge the gap between regional breweries and those who have served.
The project culminated on October 14, when a team of veterans—including U.S. Navy veterans Dawson Koons and Andrew Trujillo, along with Marine Corps veterans JD Sutton and Glen King—gathered at Steamworks to craft a new “Boots on the Ground” brown ale. According to Knowles, the mission was born from a desire to ensure veterans feel recognized and supported within the local community.
The beer is scheduled for a public release on Veterans Day, November 11. It will be available on tap at Steamworks, Ska Brewing Co., Anarchy Brewing Co., and Carver Brewing Co. In a strong show of community support, Ska Brewing has committed to donating $1 from every pint sold on the launch day to Veterans for Veterans Archuleta County and the Home Front Military Network, with Steamworks pledging to match the contribution. Knowles hopes this initiative will evolve into an annual, rotating tradition among local craft breweries.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Executes Strategic Sale-Leaseback
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) has taken a significant step toward stabilizing its balance sheet. The company recently announced it has entered into a $6.6 million sale-leaseback agreement for its Durango headquarters and production facility located at 263 Turner Dr.
The buyer, American Heritage Legacies, LLC, is an entity owned by the company’s interim CEO, Al Harper. Under the terms of the agreement, the property will be leased back to RMCF for an initial term of 10 years, with an option for a 10-year renewal. The first-year rent is set at $624,000, with a 2% annual escalation.
Mel Keating, Chairman of the Board of Directors, noted that the move is part of a broader strategy to create a sustainable financial foundation. By utilizing the proceeds from the sale to satisfy an existing $6.6 million promissory note, the company aims to reduce its debt load significantly. The transaction allows the manufacturer to maintain its operations, warehouse, and headquarters at the current site without interruption.
The Wilds Tavern Closes Doors Amid Sale Effort
After a brief tenure, The Wilds Tavern has officially closed its doors, and the property is now on the market. The establishment, which opened in May as a rebrand of the owners’ previous venture, Switchback Taco, is listed as a “turnkey restaurant” for $275,000 through Alpenglow properties.
Owners Lindsay and Dan Gearig, who also manage the Famburger brand, have been navigating the closure for several months. While the restaurant’s website cites staffing challenges as the primary reason for the pause in operations, the business has remained inactive on social media since early June.
Real estate broker Dan Korman confirmed that the property has been actively listed for approximately a month. While the owners have not issued a public statement regarding the closure, Korman indicated that there is already potential buyer interest, with at least one formal offer currently being processed. The closure marks the end of a short-lived chapter for the space, which remains a key commercial site within the local dining district.
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