We’re Open: Zema Lingerie

Business name: Zema Lingerie

Address: 555 E. Durant Ave., Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 970-925-7729

Web: zemalingerie.com

Email: info@zemalingerie.com

Social media: @zemalingerie (Facebook/Instagram)

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Zema Lingerie: We launched most of the essential inventory online and offered free shipping on all orders made online. To support local community during the unprecedented times, we collaborated with @aspendreamco and 10% from all online sales at aspendreamco.com and zemalingerie.com went toward supporting local businesses. Private shopping by appointment and Zoom was also something new we provided and it was really great to have a new secure approach to lingerie shopping. We encourage people to shop for bras in store and get bra fitting, but during the pandemic we send bra fitting tips via email with every online purchase.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

ZL: Follow us on social media, spread the word about awesome finds from your favorite brands in the store, share experience and visit! Bring all your everyday and special needs to us, and we’ll do our best to get you the most comfortable and best fitting garments. Bring girlfriends, daughters and mothers for a bra fitting, fun shopping and pajama updates!

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

ZL: Our widest selection is in the store. Sale rack is updated daily also in the store. Best thing to do is visit! All essential needs are available online and by the phone or email request.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

ZL: I love hearing that Zema Lingerie has become a destination place to visit in Aspen. We love hearing customers repeatedly saying we have the best lingerie selection and a great eye in fashion and that the bra shopping has never been so fun and easy. We also love seeing gentlemen after shopping for their significant other at Zema with a happy face next day and a “She loved it” comment.

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

ZL: We support small businesses owned by women and created for women, like ours, by choosing their brands to carry in the store. Look up @aspendreamco on Facebook or Instagram for their softest and comfiest sleep and loungewear ever. Hello from Aspen collection shown on the picture — a great gift to take home from the trip or wear on the plane, and also a great thank you gift for someone local.

We’re Open: Townie at the W Aspen

Business name: Townie at the W Aspen

Address: 550 S. Spring St., Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 970-431-0800

Web: www.waspenhotel.com

Social media: @WAspenHotel (Instagram/Facebook)

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Townie: In April, we debuted the W Aspen Townie Food Truck (formerly called the Bitsy Trailer), a curbside addition to the hotel set up to feed first responders and locals during the hotel’s “Safer at Home” pause. The Townie was such a huge success that we’ve now made it a permanent fixture at W Aspen and even expanded the experience with new cafe-style seating in front of the hotel. The menu, by our talented executive chef Jackie Siao, includes the CO Rockies Triple Play (Hebrew National 1/4lb hot dog, amoroso roll, Carolina style pulled pork, purple poppy seed slaw); Milstein Philly Roasted Chicken Sandwich (caramelized onions and peppers, horseradish mustard mayo, cheese sauce on an amoroso roll); and the Cali Club (roasted turkey, crushed avocado, hot house tomatoes, peppered bacon, black garlic aioli, lettuce on a sourdough loaf).

We also took a look at existing spaces at the hotel to see how we could expand the W Aspen experience and leverage the amazing views of the Aspen mountains while also keeping within the current restrictions. And this summer we transformed our WET Deck cabanas into mini private dining areas. The culinary team added a special Surf or Turf menu to heighten the experience and we’ve been hosting a series of groups ever since.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

Townie: One thing we’ve all learned through this experience is that we are truly in this together. We continue to support our local Aspen partners and businesses by recommending guests shop, book experiences and dine at their establishments. In turn, the best way to support us is to continue to come and enjoy our dining options and enjoy a night or two away from home for a staycation.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

Townie: Online at www.waspenhotel.com.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

Townie: Week after week, we continue to see locals coming back to enjoy our offerings throughout the property, which means everyone is enjoying the experience.

We’re Open: Axion Gallery

Business name: Axion Gallery

Address: 430 E. Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO. 81611

Phone: 970-452-9250

Web: www.axiongallery.com

Email: info@axiongallery.com

Social media: @axiongallery

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Axion Gallery: We have worked with Aspen SoJourner by creating digital ads which they share with their viewers. We are also in the process of doing full page ads with The Aspen Times. Our website offers 3D virtual tours of the gallery that provide our customers a great way of experiencing the artwork we are exhibiting, such as artist Larry Weidel and sculptor Jason Mehl.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

AG: Please visit the gallery or look online. We are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays are by appointment only. We also offer private appointments if you prefer.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

AG: By visiting the gallery in person or on our website at www.axiongallery.com, which is being updated weekly.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

AG: The positive reaction from our past and present customers who love the art on display. We are a new gallery in Aspen, so it is not as easy for us compared to the galleries that are already established here. The wonderful feedback and support on just opening during these trying times is why we live here.

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

AG: We are here to work with you and find the right installation for your home. Thank you for your support.

We’re Open: Aspen Art Museum

Business name: Aspen Art Museum

Address: 637 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 970-925-8050

Web: aspenartmuseum.org

Email: info@aspenartmuseum.org

Social media: @aspenartmuseum; #AspenArtMuseum

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Aspen Art Museum: Our March exhibitions have been extended through the summer to allow audiences more time to take in the artwork of Kelly Akashi, Maren Hassinger and Rose Wylie. We have also offered free, interactive online programming through our new AAM LIVE platform, including a weekly artist-driven dialogue program Slow.Look.Live. and Art Studio Live! online workshops. Our Aspen Times weekly advertising pages have also enabled exciting collaborations with our 2019–20 AAM Artist Fellows and international artists like Clarissa Tossin, Jeffrey Gibson, Carrie Mae Weems, and with even more to come!

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

AAM: Visit! While reservations are suggested, we urge you to stop by to check out the galleries or have lunch at our open-air roof deck cafe, SO. The first hour each day (Tuesday to Sunday, 10 to 11 a.m.) is reserved to accommodate senior citizens or those with compromised immunity.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

AAM: You can stay updated via our website. For those wanting updates delivered to their inboxes, we also offer in-depth looks and content through our AAM digital newsletter. Sign up on our homepage to receive yours!

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

AAM: The opportunity to collaborate with a group of our dedicated donors, the Aspen Fire Department, Aspen Community Fund, and our SO café partners, Epicure Catering, to offer free lunches to Roaring Fork Valley community members has been an amazing experience.

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

AAM: Though challenging at times, we have seen how we can help facilitate vital conversations and connections, as well as provide spaces for audiences to explore and interact with art and each other. Parents and families from around the globe have relayed their special appreciation for our digital art-making programs and activities, with some having tuned in to Art Studio Live! most Wednesdays beginning from the first moments of shutdown in early spring to learn everything from making marionettes to collagraph prints using common household items. As always, access to this programming is free and open for all to enjoy.

We’re Open: Joy West Collection

Business name: Joy West Collection

Address: 555 E. Durant Ave., Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 970-925-2700

Web: www.joywestcollection.com

Email: joywestcollection@gmail.com

Social media: @joywestcollection (Facebook and Instagram)

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Joy West Collection: Updating our social media to create an online store, weekly specials, and adding new product and specials to our website. We expanded our popular little girls section in the store — lots of well-priced darling jewelry for girls! Our weekly Wine, Women and Readings reception on Thursdays from 4 to 7 with top local astrologer, Rosie Cutter, has been a big hit with both established customers and new clientele.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

JWC: Send referrals! Shop local! Joy West offers something for every woman. We specialize in amazing jewelry, both fine and faux, at a fraction of the price! All great for travel. Joy West also features unique apparel, a dog section, and the largest selection of animal friendly, faux fur vests, coats and jackets in Aspen.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

JWC: Shopping at our store is the best option to see our wide selection. We also offer a far greater variety of items in the store. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @joywestcollection, and shop our online store and website. We are also available to send photos and for live chat sessions.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

JWC: Customers routinely tell us Joy West is the first stop when they arrive in Aspen and their favorite store for great finds! We are extremely grateful for our loyal and new customers alike. Bringing a bit of “JOY” to ladies puts a smile on our faces!

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

JWC: Staying positive is so important. We greatly appreciate the support from our customers, the city of Aspen, and The Aspen Times for this feature. It’s a really great way to get to know local Aspen retailers and services. Shop local! Thank you!

We’re Open: Studio 517

Business name: Studio 517

Address: 517 Hopkins (lower level) Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 787-685-1633

Web: siamjewelryaspenpr.com (active in August)

Email: siamjewelryaspenpr@gmail.com

Social media: #studio517

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Studio 517: Early quarantine provided us (the artists at Studio 517) time to develop our creations and to deepen our individual brand identities. We are home to local ceramicists, painters, woodworkers and Siam’s original art jewelry; Siam also offers pearl knotting and quick turnaround jewelry repairs. Being brand new, we are just reaching out to the community as time and effort was needed to create an inviting space for people to shop. We have set committed hours of Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, anytime the door is open! We are excited to have an open house in early August.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

S517: Please come visit our workshop/gallery space located right in the heart of town, under Harvey Meadows Gallery. We’re at 517 Hopkins, just across the street from the park behind City Hall (Aspen Saturday market’s “food court”). Discover how much talent and diversity of handmade goods are right here for you! Local artists can really use support now, and we have an exciting array of unique products made by Aspen locals of all ages!

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

S517: At this time, coming to the studio is the best way to see all that’s available (no artists are yet allowed to show at Aspen Saturday market). We hold consistent hours and often we are present working other times. Please come say hello anytime the door is open — everyone on site is friendly and helpful.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

S517: A gentleman and his delightful son caught Siam one evening covered in paint, preparing the space for guests. They were drawn in by the ceramics of young resident artist, Miesha. True to their word, they returned the next day with mom when Miesha was working on the wheel. The young gent was quite taken with Matty’s paintings and Siam showed him more of Matty’s work, while Miesha simultaneously aided the parents shopping for her ceramic creations.

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

S517: We scrub our space continually and have a hand sanitation station upon entering. We only allow those with masks to come inside. We are careful to maintain distance and our space is very large so this is easily achieved.

We’re Open: Maroon Bells E-Bikes

Business name: Maroon Bells E-Bikes

Address: 133 Prospector Road, Suite 4114B (Highlands Base Village), Aspen, CO

Phone: 970-920-1181 (call)/ 970-319-9410 (text)

Email: maroonbellsbikes@gmail.com

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Maroon Bells E-Bikes: This is a fun story. We actually turned a restaurant (Highlands Taqueria) into a bike rental shop for the summer. We knew that the Maroon Bells buses would be severely limited this summer and wanted to fill that void for visitors that came to Aspen and did not have a reservation.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

MBEB: Come up for a happy hour bike ride — $49 per person starting at 3:30 p.m. — and have a post-ride drink at the Alehouse around the corner! That is one relaxing, fun and beautiful space for a meal or drink.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

MBEB: Call, text or email us anytime! Or stop by to say hello and come enjoy Highlands and the Bells. Rates are $79 for four hours, $99 for a full day or $49 from 3:30 p.m. for a quick “happy hour ride” toward the Maroon Bells.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

MBEB: How impressed they are with the bikes and the service!

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

MBEB: Highlands is a great place to come with friends or family and do something fun so close to town, while still feeling like you are getting away.

We’re Open: Hangai Mountain Textiles

Business name: Hangai Mountain Textiles

Address: 28 Widget Street (Willits Bend) Unit 406, Basalt, CO 81621

Phone: 970-309-9276

Web: www.hangaimountaintextiles.com

Email: betina@hangai.mn

Social media: @hangaimttextiles (Instagram), @hangaimountaintextiles (Facebook)

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Hangai Mountain Textiles: We’re really excited about participating in a new, super selective online B2B trade show and platform launching in NYC. The platform will debut from Aug. 24 to 27, showcasing our luxurious cashmere and yak-down throws and blankets, and connecting us with buyers by creating a brand showroom in a highly curated marketplace. All of our cashmere and yak-down throws and blankets are knit and woven exclusively in Mongolia by family-owned businesses, some of which we’ve known for more than a decade since we ourselves lived in the country. We’re super pleased to have this new national stage to present our products that are produced from hand-combed Mongolian cashmere and yak down, two rare and very special fibers. Also, we have been working remotely through a virtual showroom approach where, for example, we send our designer clients bespoke Google albums with a selection of product photos tailored to their needs and tastes. We provide our clients regular updates on our inventory, which has been safely stored in our Colorado showroom, where we encourage clients to visit — but, by appointment only.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

HMT: We encourage local designers, boutique hotels and specialty retailers to buy locally. We’re a Basalt-based business and can supply products quickly and easily to other local businesses, and to families, friends and visitors to the valley. We would also love to have our community follow and share us on Instagram so that friends of friends learn more about Hangai, and pamper themselves with a little bit of luxury at home.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

HMT: All of our blankets and throws are presented on our instagram and on our website. This summer we’ve also teamed up with the AGO project, a highly curated collection of art, furniture and homewares assembled by partners Jamie Tisch (@jamietisch), Rodman Primack (@rodmanprimack) and Rudy Weissenberg (@rudester). Their pop-up store, located at 516 E. Hyman Ave. in Aspen, carries our collection of elegant cashmere and yak-down throws, perfect for chilly evenings in the Rockies.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

HMT: Earlier this summer when the crisis was shattering our hopes for the season, an exciting entrepreneur from Palm Beach reached out. She was thrilled about our throws, which she had seen while visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where we partner with Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer at WRJ Design. She placed a very nice order to supply Via Coquina, her two new stores in Palm Beach and Bal Harbour, giving us entry to a new and discerning market that will help us build our brand.

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

HMT: These are unprecedented times that challenge us all to remain optimistic and support one another. We want our community to know that we are here to work with designers, home decorators and retailers to move projects forward creatively, and provide elegant throws to warm families, friends and visitors in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. As a result of the pandemic, many businesses have had their supply chains disrupted. We were fortunate to have received our 2020 inventory in November of last year. Our collection of cashmere and yak-down throws has been safely stored in our Basalt showroom and is available online, or in the AGO Project & Friends’ Aspen pop-up.

We’re Open: Roaring Fork CrossFit

Business name: Roaring Fork CrossFit

Address: 40 Sunset Drive, Basalt, CO 81621

Phone: 970-379-6309

Web: www.roaringforkcrossfit.com

Email: vince@roaringforkcrossfit.com

Social media: @roaringforkcrossfit

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Roaring Fork CrossFit: During the shutdown we loaned out nearly every piece of equipment in the gym. If our athletes kept their memberships active, they were welcome to take anything in the gym home with them. We also provided two different online workouts accompanied by instructional videos everyday, as well as a daily online challenge.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

RFCF: Come in and try a class with us and see what CrossFit is really all about, whether you’re an experienced athlete, a complete newbie to working out, or just wanting to become more fit for your favorite sport, hobby or activity.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

RFCF: On our website and Facebook page.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

RFCF: The support we received from nearly all of our members during our closure was amazing. Everyone realizes the strength of this community and how important it is to each. Everyone wanted RFCF to still be here after we got through the lockdown. We even had members renewing their memberships that expired during the closure to help support us!

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

RFCF: Though gyms were not technically classified as one, there is really no more essential business during a public health crisis than a business that improves your health, wellness and fitness. Be your own defense against virus, sickness, illness and chronic disease.

We’re Open: Aspen Historical Society

Business name: Aspen Historical Society

Address: 620 W. Bleeker St., Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 970-925-3721

Web: aspenhistory.org

Email: info@aspenhistory.org

Social media: @historyaspen (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Aspen Times: How have you gotten creative during this time? What have you done to keep your customers engaged?

Aspen Historical Society: At the start of the lockdown, in an effort to connect with our community digitally, AHS launched a new email digest titled “History at Home” featuring curated content and resources to experience the past from anywhere. The series includes a variety of suggestions and opportunities to engage with the past: from activities for your family, videos of past programs and site tours, and historical and relevant content created by AHS and our partners, to suggestions and tips for exploring the AHS online archives at archiveaspen.org. The online archive has seen more web traffic than ever before and is the rabbit hole you didn’t know you needed, where you can search the extensive historical photo collection in addition to records, old newspapers, old yearbooks, oral histories and more. The email series has been well-received and AHS plans to continue publishing it for as long as it seems useful (to subscribe visit https://bit.ly/3bM4kwi).

In another shift when the Wheeler/Stallard Museum closed, AHS began offering free copies of the exhibit catalogue for Bayer & Bauhaus: How Design Shaped Aspen, the previous exhibition that had to close early due to the pandemic. Copies are still available for anyone who would like one.

In April, AHS launched a partnership project with Aspen Public Radio called “Quarantine Stories: Recording History.” The project was prompted by AHS’s research of the 1918 Flu Pandemic, for which AHS had few personal stories in its archives. To avoid the same fate for future historians, AHS took proactive measures to archive community members’ experiences. Similar to the narrative style of the award-winning program StoryCorps on NPR, the project harnesses the power of collective storytelling to capture Aspen’s pandemic history through community-sourced audio recordings. Citizens in the Roaring Fork Valley are invited to submit recorded stories, interviews and reflections about their experience of the pandemic to be cataloged in a publicly accessible library by APR and archived for posterity by AHS. The response to this important project has been inspirational to say the least, ranging from poignant stories to insight into families passing the time to heartbreaking experiences. A teacher from Carbondale Middle School even assigned her entire class to write their recollections for submission, each addressed to “Dear Future Historian”! To submit your story for this ongoing project, go to aspenhistory.org/quarantine-stories/; to listen to the submissions thus far, go to www.aspenpublicradio.org/topic/quarantine-stories-recording-history.

As restrictions eased, AHS expanded existing and created new outdoor-only tours, with reduced capacity and public safety regulations strictly observed. Thus far the tours have been popular options to safely experience area history during this unusual summer!

Finally, AHS is exploring options to provide virtual history experiences: from a virtual tour of the new exhibit “Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed,” to virtual field trips at our sites in lieu of school groups being able to visit in person this coming fall.

AT: What’s the most important thing the community can do to support you?

AHS: The most important thing the community can do is to maintain your zest for and interest in history and to continue to participate in our offerings! There are plenty of opportunities to safely explore area history this summer: tours are running and our sites are open with protocols in place that prioritize the health and safety of guests and staff. AHS expresses our utmost gratitude to the community and to our supporters, whose backing during this difficult time has been crucial to our continued work.

AT: Where can we find your most current offerings and updates?

AHS: For the most up-to-date schedules and information, visit aspenhistory.org or call 970-925-3721.

AT: What has been the best customer experience or comment you’ve had since the crisis started?

AHS: We’ve received many kind words in response to our “History at Home” digest, which is especially appreciated considering it is a new initiative. We’ve also heard from many tour participants who enjoyed their experiences. Here’s one that stood out: “Wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the historical tour with Nina yesterday. It was my 2nd time, and the first for my husband. As we left the tour, I will quote him ‘That was spectacular!’ We look forward to future tours.” Positive feedback like that means a great deal to the team at AHS during these unusual times. We’ve also seen tremendous interest in the new exhibit at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, which opened July 14.

AT: Is there anything else you’d like to add regarding your business during the pandemic?

AHS: The people of this valley have faced adversity time and again with strength and resilience. We take comfort in knowing history will inform the path forward. No one knows what the future holds, but at AHS we’ve been inspired by examples from the past as well as the creativity, kindness and strength of spirit on display across our community throughout these past few months. We’re prepared to face the future with a renewed commitment to our mission to preserve and share the stories that make this community special!