THE MINTURN SALOON: A NOSTALGIC REVIVAL
When Andy Kaufman and Steve Campbell decided to retire after operating the Minturn Saloon for over 35 years, they were eager to pass the baton to someone with youthful energy to improve the business and make the necessary updates while maintaining the nostalgia of the iconic establishment. They selected Connie and Anthony Mazza, local restauranteurs with years of love for the Saloon, confident that the husband-wife team would preserve the legacy of the local landmark.
Connie Mazza was initially hesitant about balancing the task of taking over the Minturn Saloon.
Connie + Anthony Mazza — Minturn Saloon
At the time, she was focused on opening a second location for Village Bagel and growing her young family. Luckily, her husband Anthony Mazza, a confident, type-A personality, was immediately ready to jump in feet first. “When you have a chance to take over a business like the Minturn Saloon, it’s an obvious yes — you have to jump at the opportunity,” she explains. But that’s why the husband-wife team are a successful entrepreneur duo.
After purchasing the Minturn Saloon in December of 2021, they ran the restaurant for a season before closing for renovations. The Saloon reopened in the fall of 2023 after a significant renovation to its 120-year-old building. Although they complied with updated building codes and imported modern business practices, they focused on preserving the nostalgic feel of the Saloon. Maintaining the history was important not just for them but for the community as well.
Despite overhauling the physical space, the heart and soul of the Saloon remained the same. “It lives on in the walls, the historical artwork, our retained staff and the back bar itself, which holds so much history,” Connie Mazza expressed. There’s a fresh take on running the business and the menu, casual Tex-Mex, but the Mazzas successfully found the delicate balance that Kaufman advised: “Keep it the same, but make it better.”
VALLEYWIDE BUILDERS: BUILDING DREAMS
Alvaro Carillo — Valleywide Builders
Alvaro Carillo’s career is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship. At 17, he ran a framing business in the Vail Valley. That business folded in the 2008 recession, but that is when Jim Guida, a respected builder and former owner of Guida Construction, took Carillo under his wing. Under Guida’s guidance for 12 years, Carillo learned every aspect of building and remodeling luxury custom homes — literally from the ground up. When it came time for Guida to retire after 30-plus years in business, he needed to find someone he could trust to maintain and grow the relationships he had spent a lifetime building. The answer was obvious.
When Guida approached Carillo about handing over the business to him, Carillo was both excited and nervous about the opportunity. He was only 28, but possessed a lifetime of knowledge.
Carillo knew from years of hands-on experience how to build a custom home and manage a team. “I knew everything about working in the field and had a chance to hone my skills over the years working with Guida. But I didn’t understand the business side of construction. So I knew if Guida would mentor me, there would be little doubt that I would succeed,” Carillo states.
And he did. Carillo has continued to build a company, rebranded as Valleywide Builders in 2019, that performs custom building and high-end remodels for clients who value a trustworthy team, a personalized approach and quality craftsmanship. While the name and leadership have changed, the dedication to excellence and an attentive field staff remain. “We were schooled by Guida,” Carillo lightheartedly laughs. It shows in his work ethic — he will always go the extra mile to produce the highest quality work, resulting in long-lasting and satisfied clients.
Guida remains a close mentor to and advocate for Carillo. “I’ve learned a lot from Guida,” Carillo emphasizes, “but of all the advice he’s given me, what stands out the most is to keep moving forward and follow your heart.”
ALPINE QUEST SPORTS: WHERE ADVENTURE AWAITS
Jon Rehnborg — Alpine Quest Sports
Jon Rehnborg stumbled upon a newspaper ad that Alpine Quest Sports in Edwards was for sale and became one of several bidders for the business owned and operated by Sean and Cory Glackin for the past 20 years. Although the Glackins were selling the business they built, they wished to see their life’s work and legacy in the community. Their goal was to find a local who would retain the vibe of the community’s staple backcountry shop: a place that is accessible and approachable for locals and visitors and a business that provided a healthy work environment.
Rohnborg ended up purchasing the shop because of his commitment to retaining the staff and maintaining the spirit of the store. Customers have noticed that he’s lived up to his promises. He retained the core team and the store carries the same wide selection of
technical backcountry gear.