History, Shopping Blend On Palisade's Main Street

 Above: The Soda Fountain at Mumzel’s Crumpets, Cups and Cones. 

BY DARALEE MATTHEWS
Special from the Palisade Tribune

One of the most recognizable historic buildings in downtown Palisade, Colorado, is known as the “Old Hugus Building” at the corner of Third and Main Streets.

The building was Palisade’s first “dry goods” store, and in it’s upstairs, the first Town Board meeting took place in 1904. Though the years it has been a lot of things including a Cajun Catfish restaurant and tile store.

It’s present tenants, however, seem to have a pretty comfortable fit. Arts and Antiques of Palisade opened in June of 2006 and is home to between 17 to 20 antique vendors at any given time, offering everything from collectible plates and glassware to books, jewelry, furniture and knickknacks.

In October of 2008 Mumzel’s Crumpets, Cups and Cones opened serving coffee, tea, baked goods, a different light lunch of homemade soup and a sandwich every day, ice cream and pie. It has become a popular place for locals in the morning for coffee. In the mid-morning and afternoons several different groups gather around one of the large dining room tables with cups of coffee or tea for meetings in the comfortable, homey atmosphere.

In addition, Melinda Eastham, proprietress, can do afternoon teas for adults or a special occasion teas for “little ladies”. Often before holidays, “Grandma Nancy” has Valentine cookie decorating, Easter egg decorating or Christmas Cookie decoration for the kids.

Upstairs is a growing Christmas shop where you can find antique Christmas items.

You can get gift items, cards, jewelry, and hand painted hair clips. Mumzel’s also sells stylish homemade aprons that are making such a comeback these days. All perfect for the loved ones who had to stay at home.

Upstairs in the Hugus building you will find a “mini spa” with two massage therapists; Massage Junkies, who specialize in injury prevention and recovery, pain management and pregnancy massage, as well as Alegria Therapeutic Massage, who do Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, body treatments, scalp and foot massages; and Face Time, a skin care and body treatment business. To complete your spa time you can order a lunch or tea from downstairs.

A photo studio is presently considering locating to the upstairs of the building, where you could have a portrait done or buy framed photo art.

Just to mix the old with the new, the owners of the building are studying the possibilities of installing a state of the art solar system on the roof to meet the electrical, heating and cooling needs of the old building. Heating cost on the building is expensive in cold winters with big windows, high ceilings and no insulation in the uncovered original brick walls. It could be a great example of how new technology can blend with historic buildings.

Arts and Antiques of Palisade and Mumzel’s
101 W. 3rd St.
970-464-9301

Alergria Therapeutic Massage
970-208-4336

Face Time Customized Skin Care
970-261-2257

Massage Junkies, Inc.
970-390-5996

About the Author: Matthews is General Manager and Staff Writer for the Palisade Tribune in Palisade, Colorado. She is being remunerated by the Wine Country Inn  for her contributions to this blog.