If you look at photos of Telluride from 40 years ago, compared to how the town looks today, there have been huge changes. Dirt roads have been replaced with paved streets, scores of empty lots are now home to shiny new condos & town homes. The carefree, hippie vibe of the 70’s has faded. Of course, change is inevitable. But recently, it feels like the change is accelerating at an alarming rate. Sometimes it’s hard to see change happen so quickly in our little mountain town. Each time one of the ‘originals’ closes, a little piece of Telluride’s soul goes with them. In the past year, Telluride has said good bye to a few classics including the Steaming Bean coffee shop, Maggie’s Cafe, Melange & soon the famous (or infamous) O’Bannon’s will close it’s doors.
But every now & then, a little bit of magic happens, and that spark is reignited. This is certainly the case with the opening of Ghost Town – a locally owned & operated grocery store, co created by Telluride resident’s Meghann McCormick & Drew Ludwig. Tucked in between Zia Sun & Elinoff Gallery, Ghost Town combines small town charm with an eccentric hipster vibe. When the possibility of a space came up, I distinctly remember Meghann saying she wanted to build a place that created a sense of “community”, for locals & visitors alike. One visit to Ghost Town & it’s easy to see that this has been accomplished. When I first stepped through the doors of Ghost Town, I was immediately struck by the level of detail that has gone into the place – rainbow hued mason jars line the walls, cute yellow stools are dotted around & there is a produce section right by the register, offering up the regions freshly picked, laid & baked goodies.
The menu is refreshingly simple, with offerings divided into Steeping Leaf tea, Boxcar coffee, shakes, bowls & toasts. The vegan, superfood inspired shakes are wholesome and exotic, with options including Orange Chia, Green Ginger, Strawberry Cream, Blueberry Basil & Chocolate Banana. Savory toasts include toppings such as avocado, lime, boiled eggs, chèvre & hummus while sweet offerings include butter, cinnamon, banana, honey and salted date caramel spread. Granola bowls are served up with hearty additions of acai, hemp greens, chia cherry, honey almond.
Whether you are a Telluride local or a regular visitor, stop by Ghost Town on your next cruise down Main Street. And support these local legends who are intent on, as Meghann always says, “keeping Telluride weird”.
