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Silverthorne council approves lease for pavilion coffee shop

Jane Reuter

SILVERTHORNE – Finding a coffee shop for the Silverthorne Pavilion has been a steaming issue, but now it looks like the beans will be brewing.

The Silverthorne Town Council approved a lease Wednesday with a Dillon couple. Greg and Susan Jensen, who both worked as hospitality managers for Vail Resorts, plan to open the shop in late May or early June.

The pavilion held its grand opening in June 2001, the intended coffee shop space then boasting little more than unfinished walls. It has since been finished as a meeting room, also serving as a coat room during special events.



The town began seeking a tenant for the space in early 2001 and negotiated with two potential tenants in the space of a couple of weeks. Negotiations with both broke down. After the second unsuccessful round, the council voted to make the room a meeting space until a tenant could be found or until the town moved forward on plans to develop the rest of the town center. That development, they reasoned, would generate more foot traffic and make the space more appealing to a potential tenant.

But the Jensens say they’re not worried about attracting customers.



“I think the difference is Target opening up,” said Susan Jensen. “If we create something that is different and excels in customer service and product, we will have something people will stop on their way to Target. They will make it a part of their trip. Had Target not gone up, I don’t think that location would be ideal.”

Pavilion director Maggie Butler, who has been working with the town to find a tenant, said the Jensens’ ideas are impressive.

“They have some good, progressive ideas for the interior design, but their ideas are in line with the rustic, comfortable feeling in the lobby,” she said.

Butler said the town has made good use of the meeting room, but she’s eager to see the Jensens step in.

“We were spoiled, but we’re still fully functional without (the meeting room),” she said. “Personally, in terms of our conference business, the coffee shop is going to make the place much more appealing.”

The shop will open next door to Cutthroat Anglers.

The town owns the seven acres included in the town center, located between Blue River Parkway and the Blue River. When the economy improves, town officials hope to sell or lease the land south of the pavilion for shops and office space.

Jane Reuter can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 229, or by e-mail at jreuter@summitdaily.com.


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