Historic Redstone store reopening as part of larger vision

The historic Redstone General Store, closed since late February due to damages, is about to reopen to the public as part of a reimagined “village within a village.”

Phase one of the vision — which includes cosmetic repairs to the General Store after a tree fell into the building, tiny cabins for rent, and an ice cream trailer — is slated for completion Memorial Day weekend.

“Hell or high water, we will be opening,” said Lisa Mattson, who was working on a personal project next to the General Store and stepped in to help facilitate the repairs. “We miss the community dearly. Especially for the summer, we want to commit to getting open the best we can.”

Mattson noted that there will continue to be incremental repairs going forward, with a phase two still developing that will include additional square footage to the store, a retail space, an expanded coffee shop, and a proper ice cream parlor.

Each new business will be infused with local history; she and General Store owner Oriana Moebius are working with the Redstone Historical Society to incorporate artifacts and information within every building. 

“We’re really trying to focus on how we contribute to the community beyond commerce,” Mattson said. “We want people to learn about why Redstone is so important to Colorado.”

The ice cream parlor will be named “Lady Bountiful” after historic Redstone coal mining magnate John Osgood’s wife, Alma, who was loved by the community for her notoriously generous involvement in it. The coffee shop will be called “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” after Moebius’ own personal history.

Moebius’ family has been in the area for over a century; her children are sixth generation in the Crystal River Valley, and her father is one of the longest-standing residents in Redstone. 

“Growing up in Redstone, it was always a vibrant community,” Moebius said. “To be able to be in a position where we could steward a business up there and keep our family there has seemed important.”

Her first job was in Redstone, and she envisions her village within Redstone providing that same opportunity for her children and others. 

“Part of being a village and this quality of community is about being multigeneration,” she said. “A big aspect of the business is to have a place … to learn about hospitality. A big part of our business is having our children be employed and in leadership positions there.”

Mattson also hopes visitors will have the ability to find more of a respite in town as opposed to just passing through.

“We would love everybody to come visit,” she said. “We want people to come out and support a small community — we would love to welcome them there and tell them stories about Redstone.”