If you’ve ever spent a day hiking, camping or skiing on the Grand Mesa, chances are you’ve been to the tiny town of Mesa, gateway to one of the most beautiful outdoor playgrounds in western Colorado. Nestled in the heart of downtown, Mesa is a prominent two-story building skirted by an old-time wooden porch. After sitting vacant and silent for years, this historical gem got a new lease on life when two high school friends turned business partners transformed it from what used to be the old Mesa General Store into the new Mesa Bloom Market.

In May 2020, owners Steve Grisier and Ty Shields proudly opened their doors after packing Mesa Bloom Market with food and items from over 60 local Western Slope vendors from Palisade, Delta, Mesa and Collbran. The store boasts an impressive variety of year-round produce sourced from local growers such as Blaine’s Tomatoes of Palisade, Back Porch Produce of Mesa and GroFresh Farms 365 in Grand Junction.

“As much as possible, we locally source our products” says Grisier. “85 percent of what we sell is from local growers or artists.”

The store also offers salsas, jams, hot sauces and a full array of meats including beef, pork, lamb and goat from ranchers all located within 10 miles of the store. For hungry customers in search of snacks, Mesa Bloom Market offers breakfast burritos, pastries, coffee, espresso and Enstrom’s ice cream, and plans on adding a grilled cheese/soup bar in the near future. In addition, the store curates unique art items such as leather holsters, handbags and earrings, as well as a variety of handmade jewelry by local artists.

Grisier and Shields saw the need for a one-stop shop selling quick, fresh food in Mesa for locals and tourists alike — a niche that was previously not being filled.

“We’re one of the only places to buy grocery items and fresh produce in town,” says Grisier. “We’re also one of the only places to grab a quick bite to eat or a coffee before and/or after you hit the slopes at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.”

Post COVID, Grisier and Shields plan on adding local entertainment including live music and outdoor movies. “We want Mesa Bloom Market to complement the town of Mesa,” says Grisier. “It’s a cool little town where people wave to everybody and care about each other and its small businesses.”

For Grisier and Shields, buying local isn’t only good for Mesa Bloom Market; it’s a personal ethos that helps build a strong, thriving community. “It’s about knowing where your food comes from,” says Grisier. “Our store and our customers support the farmer up the road, the rancher next door and the artist across the street. We’re creating a legacy for the next generation that proves you can still eat really good food and make cool things that are all produced right here. We can sustain our own communities, and we’re proud that Mesa Bloom Market is helping do just that.”

Originally published in the Winter 2020-21 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

New Market Blooms In Mesa