- State Awards Ramel Family Farms Highest Golden Chile Award
- New Business in Raton – Welcome TNT Pest Control!
- Eddy & Jenny’s Guitar Gallery Brings Hand-made Guitars and Music Supplies to Raton
- Raton MainStreet is Semifinalist for 2025 Great American Main Street Award
- First National Loan Production Office to Celebrate 25Years
- Dulces Encantados Celebrates Five Years in Business
- Eddy & Jenny’s Guitar Gallery Opens
- Mama K’s Ice Cream Shop Opens on July 4, 2024
- Congratulations, Kate Holbrook – Licensed Architect with Rosemann & Associates
- Ramel Family Farms Approved as part of the New Mexico Approved Buyers Program
- Making Tortillas at Super Save
- Raton Rotary Club Visits Local Greenhouse
- Grow Raton’s CORE Meeting Explores New Business Development Strategies
- Pink Moon Beauty Labs Ribbon Cutting
- Inbank Promotes Jennifer Portillos to Market President
- Grow Raton Host Business Meeting
- Santa Shops Raton
- Business Spotlight
State Awards Ramel Family Farms Highest Golden Chile Award
Awards program honors institutions & farmers for connecting community to NM Grown
For immediate release: Media contact: Healthy Kids Colfax County Coordinator
October 23, 2024 Elizabeth (Hampl) Ortega, 618-335-7282
(Raton) – In its first year of operation in Raton, Ramel Family Farms earned the highest award in the Golden Chile Awards Program for connecting students and seniors to locally grown food through the NM Grown Program. State officials will recognize the 66 statewide awardees — farmers, school districts, senior centers, and preschools — at an Oct. 24 ceremony in Albuquerque.
Rita Condon, who facilitates NM Grown efforts as director of the New Mexico Department of Health’s Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, thanked Ramel Family Farms for providing student and seniors with their nutritious, fresh produce. “We couldn’t do this program without growers like you investing in our communities,” she said.
The NM Grown Program ensures that farms and gardens supplying fresh produce for school and senior meals follow food safety practices. This is the second year food producers could earn awards for providing community education, selling food to local institutions, and following water and soil conservation practices as well as sustainable and organic farming practices.
“Ramel Family Farms has been a valuable resource in Northern New Mexico,” said Elizabeth Ortega, coordinator of Healthy Kids Colfax County, a program that increases physical activity and healthy eating opportunities. “They produce high-quality produce that is served in many school districts, senior centers, and restaurants. They have become an important asset to the region as we strive to make it easier for people to choose healthy food.”
Co-owners and brothers, Kayvan and Hassan Khalatbari, produce 150 to 250 pounds of lettuce greens weekly in addition to a variety of corn, tomatoes, melon, squash, and cucumbers for schools and senior centers in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Their “Raton Blend” of four types of greens receive rave reviews from schools and senior centers in such rural communities as Cimarron, Des Moines, Moras, and Wagon Mound.
“We ask for feedback all the time, and it’s been nothing but great from the littlest kids to seniors,” said Kayvan Khalatbari. “Our greens have a shelf life of three weeks, sometimes longer in the winter, and they appreciate that our product lasts a lot longer in their fridge.”
Schools request the Raton Blend of arugula, baby kale, gourmet lettuce, and mustard green mix because students love it – proof that children will expand their diets when offered fresh food.
The NM Grown Program helped the Khalatbari brothers establish themselves in the state’s marketplace. “Often one of the hardest things in a rural community is to get that initial contact with people purchasing your goods,” said Kayvan. “To have that network of producers and purchasers helps a lot of folks, especially beginner farms.”
At the Heirloom Shop, its retail store in Raton, Ramel Family Farm sells its gourmet mushrooms and produce as well as regional goods from about 50 producers in a 75-mile radius from Raton. And the Khalatbaris continue to make plans for more.
“We’re excited to be a part of the town,” Kayvan said. “We’re adding some towers to fill in the rest of our greenhouse so our capacity will increase. We’ve done distribution to some of the smaller school districts, but I would love to take on more.”
New Business in Raton – Welcome TNT Pest Control!
Posted October 28, 2024
Hello Raton! We would like to introduce ourselves!
We are TNT Pest Control.
A new locally owned and operated business. Jesse and Amanda Trujillo have decided to expand from Albuquerque to Jesse’s hometown. Jesse has a bachelors degree in biology AND evolutionary anthropology from UNM, which helps everyday to make sure his customers get the best care possible. Together, with their 3 kiddos, they are excited to be a part of Raton and the wonderful community.
Give Amanda or Angie a call today and ask about our senior citizen and fall specials! 505-615-7321
Senior Quarterly Pricing
$64.99 plus tax 4xs a year with one year contract
Senior Basic One Time Service
$104.99 plus tax with 30 day warranty
Regular Quarterly Pest control service
$84.99 plus tax 4xxs a year with one year contract
Regular Basic one time service
$137.99 Plus tax with 30 day warranty
TNT is a Full-service pest control company that deals with general pest, weeds, public health, and live mammal issues
Angie Abshere
Office Manager
angie@tntpestcontrolservice.com
505-615-7321
Trujillo Family
Eddy & Jenny’s Guitar Gallery Brings Hand-made Guitars and Music Supplies to Raton
Posted October 5, 2024.
Eddy made his first guitar from scratch at the age of 13, when he lived in Bakersfield, California a place that had three guitar factories, one of which created Mosrite guitars, that employed so many of the talented musicians in the community. Since then, he has perfected his handmade guitars, that each take about a month to make, and sells them online. He has quite a following and some of his early guitars are touted as “Vintage E.F. Elliott.” He began his journey in playing and making guitars at the age of seven when his father purchased a Victoria electric guitar at the local Woolworth’s for him. He played that guitar until the age of ten when he sold it for $20 at a local flea market. Right around the corner, he then purchased two guitars for $10 each. Thus started his journey into business of selling his own guitars when he opened his own guitar shop as a teenager.
Eddy still makes the guitars from scratch from blocks of wood, 14” x 22”, sawed out on a band saw using templates like it was done in the 50’s and 60’s. The cut-out shape is then routered and ready for sanding and buffing. Eddy will add several layers of a clear acrylic finish, sanding between coats, according to the sheen that he wants, before adding the frets and the pickup that his wife Jenny winds. The pickups, which are wound with small gauge wires, send the vibrations to an electrical signal, amplified, through the attached amplifier. The distance between the frets is determined with a geometrical progression that results in the scale of musical notes.
During a recent visit by the Raton Rotary Club, Eddy explained that he is a luthier, a person who makes guitars and mandolins. A maker of violins (a non-fretted instrument) is simply a violin maker. The guests at the event were blown away with all the detail work, the creativity, the mathematics involved, and the time in making a guitar.
A year ago, Eddy and Jenny were living in Oklahoma and wanted to get closer to the mountains, enjoy cooler weather and a low cost of living. Jenny found information about Raton on the internet and when they were driving through Raton on their way to an Eagles concert in Colorado they drove into downtown Raton where they met Leonore Barfield who told them that the historic Joseph’s building would be available to rent if they were interested. They realized that Raton was going to be their new home. They packed up, moved in, and opened the guitar gallery. They have plans to open a retail shop in the front of the Joseph’s building on the corner of Park Avenue and Historic First Street where they will sell music supplies and instruments. The messy work of sanding and buffing will be done in the basement and the building of the guitars will eventually be done where the small gallery is now. If the open sign is on the sidewalk or in the window, the shop is open.
During the interview with Eddy and Jenny, they both expressed that Raton has the nicest, friendliest people and they are thrilled to be here. Those who have met Eddy and Jenny are excited that they have made Raton their home.
Raton MainStreet is Semifinalist for 2025 Great American Main Street Award
Posted October 3, 2024
First National Loan Production Office to Celebrate 25Years
In the fall of 1999, The First National Bank in Trinidad opened the First National Loan Production Office to fill the need for banking services in northern New Mexico. At the time, people were driving over Raton Pass to bank with The First National Bank in Trinidad and loan demand was on the rise. First National opened the loan production office with two employees committed to providing positive, progressive and professional banking services with customer satisfaction as the goal. Deposits in the branch were designated to satisfy local loan demand and to contribute toward community growth and development. Today, deposits have grown to $6 million and loans are in excess of $18.5 million.
Over the past 25 years, the First National Loan Production Office has experienced growth beyond its expectations and has enjoyed watching the community expand and prosper. Changes in banking have afforded the office an opportunity to provide customers with personal service coupled with high-tech access to their money through online and mobile banking. Along with supporting community events, the office organizes an outreach program every year to provide support for local children through the annual School Support Drive,
Market President, Diana Sanchez, invites you to join her at the 25th Anniversary Open House on Friday, October 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First National Loan Production Office located at 1247 S. Second Street in Raton, New Mexico. Festivities will include free food, games, prizes and give aways.
Dulces Encantados Celebrates Five Years in Business
Posted July 7, 2024
Dulces Encantados, a family-owned business located at 138 S. 1st Street celebrated its fifth year in business on July 4, 2024. Dominic and Bernadette, along with daughter Carolina opened this local favorite on Historic First Street, across from the Old Pass Gallery and have provided a large assortment of candies and chocolates.
Dulces Encantados specializes in handmade caramel and brittle in a variety of flavors. Their Pecan Turtles and Pinon Turtles are a local favorite, and they are careful to use only the freshest ingredients found in New Mexico, using chocolate from Guittard chocolates of San Francisco; another fine, family owned American company. The Cotton Candy Bar features 10 permanent flavors as well as several seasonal favorites and is spun fresh for each customer while they wait. Dulces Encantados also carry caramel apples, marshmallow snacks, and much, much more.
Summer Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The business phone number is (575) 707-8765 or they can be reached at (575) 707-8631. Stop in this week and help them celebrate their “Enchanting Sweets!”
Eddy & Jenny’s Guitar Gallery Opens
Posted July 6, 2024
Another new addition to the businesses in downtown Raton is the Eddy & Jenny Guitar Gallery located on the corner of Park Avenue and First Street. The north side of the building is now open for business where one can purchase new and used guitars and accessories.
Eddy, a maker of custom hand-made guitars also does repairs. Looking for guitar, mandolin, or violin strings? This is the place to find them.
Watch for updates on hours of operation, products and services available in upcoming posts.
Contact information: Phone (918) 617-4840, Email efelliottguitars@aol.com
Mama K’s Ice Cream Shop Opens on July 4, 2024
Posted July 6, 2024
The line of people waiting to buy an ice cream cone from Mama K’s wrapped around the room for most of the day, July 4, 2024. The much-awaited ice cream shop at 134 S. 1st Street, opened to a large crowd of visitors to downtown Raton, awaiting the 4th of July parade that was scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM. Those leaving the shop with ice cream in hand exclaimed that it was worth the wait! Many more satisfied customers continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
Mama K’s operating hours are: Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Mama K’s is one of several new businesses opening on Historic First Street in downtown Raton this past year, with more on the way. The low cost of living, low taxes, lack of traffic, and cool weather is attracting businesses to move from Colorado and Texas into Raton.
Congratulations, Kate Holbrook – Licensed Architect with Rosemann & Associates
Posted July 4, 2024
Congratulations to Kate Holbrook, RA, on completing her Architectural Registration Exams (ARE) and becoming a licensed architect in Missouri! With a Master of Architecture degree from Kansas State University and a rich background in diverse architectural projects, Kate has been an invaluable part of our team since August 2020.
Outside of her professional achievements, Kate enjoys hiking, theater, and designing furniture.
Join us in celebrating Kate’s remarkable milestone. We are proud to have her on our team and look forward to her continued success!
Kate is the daughter of David and Janese Little in Raton. David is principal architect for Alpha Design Architects. Picture. (575) 445-4235. alphadesign@bacavalley.com.
Ramel Family Farms Approved as part of the New Mexico Approved Buyers Program
Posted July 3, 2024
Ramel Family Farms has been approved to be a part of the New Mexico Approved Buyers Program! Read about it below and spread the word if you know other regional NM food producers!
For many years, the NM food safety community has come together to connect and strengthen the relationship between safe food, place-based growing practices, and our statewide agricultural economy. The Approved Supplier Program is a community-based certification program born from this collaborative work. The result is the ASP Vendors List that supports institutional buyers looking to purchase New Mexico-grown foods from local food producers for their nutrition programs that serve our communities every day.
For its initial several years, NM Grown focused on purchasing produce and other crops. With more purchasing power, institutions are seeking to purchase New Mexico-raised meat products for their programs! As we enter the 2025 purchasing season, we are excited to continue integrating local meat producers and processors into the program.
During FY 2024, more than 200 suppliers participated in NM Grown – either through selling directly to state agencies or food bank buyers, or by selling to food hubs that aggregate production from many small farms and then sell to institutional buyers. A big thanks to our supporting partners and producers from across the state who will make local, nutritious food available to daycares, schools, senior centers, and food banks this year!
Making Tortillas at Super Save
June 28, 2024
Steven Arellano has been making tortillas at our local Super Save Grocery Store for more than five years. The multi-step process starts with preparing the dough, measuring and forming the balls that are eventually flattened and heated. After cooling, they are placed in the bags by the dozen for sale.
Raton Rotary Club Visits Local Greenhouse
Greenhouse, Gardens, Grounds, and Beer by Jari Thymian
Posted June 21, 2024 – Raton Rotary’s first field trip and social hour for the year was Tuesday, June 20, 2024. Kayvan Khalatbari, one of the owners, gave us a fascinating tour of his Ramel Family Farms’ greenhouse, gardens, and grounds. 16 people, a mix of Rotarians and fellow Ratonians, attended. Gate City Craft Bar welcomed the group with a few more people joining us later for an after-tour social hour. Good conversation and connections!
Thank you, Kayvan, Ramel Family Farms, and Gate City Craft Bar for making this a wonderful event! Thanks to all who attended!
Want to join us for future adventures? Email jarithymian@gmail.com
Grow Raton’s CORE Meeting Explores New Business Development Strategies
Posted June 9, 2024
By Nikolaos Ibanez
Grow Raton’s recent CORE (Challenges and Opportunities for Raton Entrepreneurs) business development meeting, held on May 28, 2024, brought together local business and community leaders to discuss innovative strategies for economic growth, from improving first impressions of Raton to leveraging modern marketing technologies.
Leading the meeting, Ann Theis enticed the audience to consider the critical role of hospitality in attracting newcomers to Raton. She underscored the importance of creating a positive “first impression” to make visitors feel welcomed and encouraged to return. Participants were also reminded of the ongoing internship and mentorship programs facilitated by CORE, structured to foster career development in many burgeoning fields.
Several upcoming events for showcasing local businesses were announced. Brandy Dietz of GrowRaton presented the “Colfax County Made” initiative, aimed at attracting both in-state and out-of-state investors at the 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit on June 26 and 27. Every Saturday until August 24, any local vendor is invited to showcase their goods at the Cottage Market. 2024 Vendor Agreement and Application Forms can be mailed or emailed to Grow Raton. A Block Party is scheduled for June 15 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Phil Long Ford of Raton, featuring food trucks and around 30 vendors. Float entries are still needed for the Fourth of July parade.
Patricia Duran, executive director of the Center for Community Innovation (CCI), presented on the organization’s current efforts, including their diverse certification programs. CCI’s comprehensive marketing strategy has utilized the Lodgers Advisory Tax Board and Google Ad Grants, among other funding sources, to create a standardized and iconic branding for Raton. While these efforts can be seen in more immediate products like the town’s visitor guide, this also shapes the organization’s current marketing plan around Raton’s low-cost housing and healthcare options for retirees and young families.
Duran went on to emphasize the importance of embracing different technologies for marketing. A strategic social media approach was highlighted as improving any digital footprint, or the reputation of a person or business online. Duran used Raton New Mexico Community Page on Facebook, whose online engagement for a Raton-based forum remains highest on all platforms, as an example of varying negative and positive online engagements. This culminated in a larger discussion about understanding age demographics and their needs: while millennials may favor Facebook, for example, older generations still reasonably use traditional media like phone books or newspapers.
Rick Maestas, City Manager, presented on the city’s use of Placer.ai to provide insights into traffic patterns at locations registered in the online tool. Within a live demo, Maestas displayed data for the recent Cinco de Mayo Festival as well as McDonald’s to show the platform’s potential for both events production and daily commerce. The city plans to provide training on Placer.ai in the coming months to city and library workers, hoping to give locals the ability to better track geolocation data for the city.
Pink Moon Beauty Labs Ribbon Cutting
Posted March 10, 2024
The Pink Moon Beauty Labs, 246 Clark Avenue, Raton, celebrated a grand opening on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Several Raton Ambassadors, Raton MainStreet, friends and family were on hand to celebrate the business opening by Caitlin Romero. Raton Ambassadors provided a ribbon cutting and Raton MainStreet presented Caitlin with the traveling “Key to Downtown.”
Pink Moon Beauty Labs is open Tuesday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Friday 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM and on Saturdays 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM. Appointments can be made for manicures and pedicures by calling (575) 643-8211 or book online at https://caitlinromero.glossgenius.com/services.
Inbank Promotes Jennifer Portillos to Market President
Posted March 2, 2024
Inbank announced that Jennifer Portillos has been named as Market President in Raton, NM. Jenn is a Raton native and has been with InBank’s Raton location for over 15 years in various roles, including consumer and commercial lending, credit administration, mortgage banking, loan operations and as an executive assistant. She succeeds Lois Romero who held the role of Market President in Raton previously. Jenn is heavily involved in the local community with various organizations, including the Raton Mainstreet Board of Directors, the City of Raton Personnel Board and Raton Public Service Company as Advisory Director. Congratulations Jenn!
Business Spotlight
“A Sweet Shopping Experience at Carrie’s Honey & More Store”
February 18, 2024 – by Mary Elder
Within a sales floor measuring just 6 feet by 12, owner Carrie Gonzales has created one of the coziest shops in the region. In business since 2017, her “Honey & More Store” at 613 S. Second St. celebrates bees with myriad products made or inspired by them, ranging from raw honey to lip balm to pure beeswax candles and other “bee-utiful” housewares and jewelry.
Her bee boutique also houses an observational hive where visitors spend more time than they could have imagined searching for the queen and watching her minions at work. Often, they fall into easy conversation with other shoppers and before you know it, email addresses are exchanged, and friendships are born. This never surprises Carrie. “Nothing but nice, happy people come in here all day long,” she insists. “They are my life.”
About 90% of her customers are “faithful locals”. Many of them discovered the store during the pandemic and now return regularly with jars to be filled from urns brimming with the good stuff: the finest honey from nationally recognized Rocky Mountain beekeepers in varieties like alfalfa and clover. She’s known many of her suppliers for decades— “we grew up in the business together”—and they can tell her where the bees gathered the nectar for every batch. That matters because the flora in each area give each type of honey its unique floral or spicy character.
Those keepers continue to honor pricing agreements established with Carrie years ago when she owned a much larger store near Rocky Mountain National Park, enabling her to sell honey less expensively than many other outlets.
They also provide her with the 35-pound, skateboard-sized slabs of yellow beeswax she uses for making both molded and hand-dipped candles. Crafting either is a labor of love that first requires melting and painstakingly filtering the wax to remove any impurities, like bees’ wings or leaves. Then she patiently dips wicks for tapers in the purified wax up to 27 times to achieve the desired shape and finish. Making candles in molds is also time consuming, as they must cure for eight hours or longer after the wax is poured. The process brings her joy, though, as her molds are like old friends. Several are antiques and all of them yield stunningly intricate designs. She prices the finished candles by the pound with tapers starting at $2.50.
When I note that’s not much of a markup, Carrie explains that she opened the store to keep herself busy in retirement and as long as the operation pays for itself, she’s satisfied. She’s always avoided amassing debt as an entrepreneur, an approach that allowed her to pick up and move her business to Raton when a flood destroyed her home in northern Colorado in 2015. Housing was scarce and the community just didn’t feel the same, so she and her partner made the decision to relocate. But where would they go?
She had hitchhiked through north central New Mexico as a 16-year-old. The striking images of mountains—the first she’d ever seen, having grown up in Nebraska—never left her. As they began the search for their new town, she was delighted to encounter photos of the same mountains on Raton’s Wikipedia page. From there she surfed over to Zillow to look at real estate listings, and the rest is history. “We love Raton!” she exclaims. “After we lost our previous community we really weren’t sure what we were walking into. We didn’t know a soul. Even the Realtor who helped us find our house had left by the time we got down here. But the people, the city and other businesses welcomed and embraced us, and still do. Honestly, we wish we’d have moved to Raton even earlier.”
Carrie engages independent artists and crafts people to produce bee-themed goods for the store, like these beaded pendants and earrings made by her grade-school friend Mary Beth Adams. “We were classmates, lost track of each other, and reconnected recently on Facebook,” she says. “Turns out she makes beautiful jewelry.”
You can connect with Carrie on Facebook at Carrie’s Honey & More Store, by phone at 505-570-7676, through email at wixperiments@gmail.com, or stop in Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You’ll “bee” happy you did.
Posted December 17, 2023
Grow Raton Business Meeting Held at AJML
Grow Raton, the organization focused on economic development in Raton, held a business meeting at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library (AJML) on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM to provide local businesses with resources, ideas, and the tools needed to be successful in today’s day to day economic fluctuations. Grow Raton President Brandy Dietz welcomed several business owners and individuals interested in improving the economy of Raton. She introduced the guest speaker, Kristine Olsen, who had traveled three hours to attend that morning.
Kristine Olsen, co-president of the Northeast Economic Development Organization (NEEDO), presented a Power Point slide show and explained opportunities provided through the New Mexico State University (NMSU) CREATE Bridges Program. During the three-hour meeting, the group broke into groups to discuss and later present information about marketing and promotion and the need and importance of business exit plans.
Grow Raton will schedule additional meetings to provide a path for economic development in Raton. The next meeting will be announced at a later date.
Santa Shops Raton
Raton Business Community offers a wide variety of options. Some of those options are explored with Santa. Scouting those unique finds for the holiday shopping season is Mary Elder, our contributing writer, roving reporter and sometime photographer. She presented a Raton business each day and share their unique gift ideas.
Did you know that we have many wonderful shopping opportunities right here in Raton?
- Made in Raton Consignment Shop
- Roses Honeysuckle Station
- Nifty Thrifties, Part 2
- All Seasons Gift Shop
- Patchwork Phoenix
- Dancing Eagle Gift Shop
- Nifty Thrifties, Part 1
- Santa Gifts an Experience
- Solano’s Boot & Western Wear
- Old Pass Gallery
- Tina’s Goodies
- Ramel Family Farms
- Pack Rat
- Willow Springs Traders
- Buffalo Chip
Made in Raton Consignment Shop
Category: Artisan Crafts Consignment Shop
Street address: 216 North 2nd St.
Social media address: thornbush1120@yahool.com (email); Made in Raton (Facebook)
Phone: 505-604-0571
Hours: Thurs-Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Message from owners: “We wanted to create a space for local people to put their work on consignment to earn enough money to be able to keep doing what they love. This is our third Christmas, and it keeps getting better every year. To that end, we continue to welcome new vendors; please email us if you’d like to learn more about joining our Made in Raton community.”
Mary’s fun finds: Could there be a more appropriate place to end our “Santa Shops Raton” series than the Made in Raton store? Everything here is either made or curated by locals. Currently, you’ll find items from 43 different craftspeople and artists, ranging in price from fifty cents to $3,000. Among them are: the Orb Aliens game, paintings, sculptures, photography, striking hand-sewn Christmas centerpieces, knitted toques and mufflers, custom-embroidered aprons and aprons in vintage fabrics, tortilla warmers (who knew?), bowl cozies, jewelry, hair accessories, handbags, painted furniture, singing Santas and whimsical wreaths made from coffee filters. I could keep going…and going…but you get the idea. I hope you will visit and support our creative neighbors who make our town more vibrant through their expression. Happy Holidays and all the best to you and yours in 2024!
Roses Honeysuckle Station
Category: Gift boutique
Street address: 119 Cook
Social media address: Roses Honeysuckle Station (Facebook); roseshoneysuckle (Instagram)
Phone: 575-445-9080
Hours: Wed-Sat Noon-4 p.m.
Message from owners: “We are a family-owned business specializing in locally made items, including soap, handcrafted jewelry, gnomes and silicone items, such as key chains, wristlets, charms and pens.”
Mary’s fun finds: Jean Rose and her daughters are the charming proprietors of this equally charming shop. They make many of the goods you’ll find there, including chunky, fragrant soaps. (No kidding, I was tempted to lick the lemon-lime bar I chose for my sister-in-law—it smelled that delicious!) Their handcrafted earrings feature original and intricate designs, depicting everything from succulents to lace, and everyone I’ve gifted them to has raved. You’ll see friendly gnomes throughout the store, too, in a variety of guises: as ornaments, shelf sitters, and earrings. They have fun mugs and noodle bowls with fanciful images; the one I sent my ramen-loving stepson is covered in colorful carp. Don’t miss the nice selection of baby gifts and women’s apparel and accessories, including handbags, hats, and gloves.
Nifty Thrifties, Part 2
Category: Consignment, Secondhand and Thrift Stores
Street addresses: Alternatives to Violence Thrift Store, 224 South 1st St; Arthur Johnson Memorial Library, 244 Cook Ave.; Zeebs Vintage and Thrift, 113 South 2nd St.
Hours: Vary by store
Mary’s fun finds: We are lucky to have several resale outlets in Raton where plucky shoppers can uncover great bargains, for themselves or to give. While not everyone appreciates receiving a thrifted item, many people do—especially those who hate to see anything more go into landfills. If you’re looking to live more sustainably and make your money go further, shopping in our local resale shops is a perfect way to get started!
This richly decorated tin tray and candlesticks came from the Alternatives to Violence Thrift Store. Cost for both? Less than $5. I’m gifting the candlesticks in their original shade of pale green to complement the leaves on the tray, but it would be a moment’s work—and inexpensive—to spray paint them gold for a Christmas table, silver for a Hannukah or New Year’s Eve celebration, or black, red or dark green for Kwanzaa. These candlesticks also hold either pillar or taper candles, making them doubly useful.
To me, Christmas isn’t Christmas without at least one book under the tree. My family and friends happily share new and used books at the holidays and throughout the year. Our local Arthur Johnson Memorial Library is a terrific resource for adding to your personal collection or finding a perfect read for someone on your list, typically for a couple of bucks or less. During the library’s ongoing Holiday Cookbook Sale, prices start at just a quarter (!) for spiral bound editions, fifty cents for paperbacks, and $2 for hardcovers. Some of us can never have enough inspiration in the kitchen, and titles like Christmas Cooking From the Heart and Easy Weeknight Dinners will hit the spot. Or how about surprising that nostalgia buff in your life with Alice’s Brady Bunch Cookbook?
I have found any number of treasures shopping secondhand stores in Raton, but this framed art from Zeebs Vintage and Thrift might be the best of the bunch. It’s a double-matted print of E. Martin Henning’s “Passing Indians,” marked 123 of a limited edition of 1500. It boasts two interesting New Mexico connections. First, the painter was a member of the renowned Taos Society of Artists. Second, the inscription indicates the print was presented “to express the appreciation of Anne and Jeff Bingaman to members of the Bingaman Circle” and includes Bingaman’s signature. Bingaman represented the state in the U.S. Senate for 30 years prior to his retirement in 2013. I’m sure you’ll agree, that’s a lot of amazing imagery and history for $9.50!
All Seasons Gift Shop
Category: Gift store
Street address: 1616 Cedar St.
Social media address: All Seasons (Facebook)
Phone: 575-445-9889
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Message from owners: “Because of our location, many people come off the highway to shop here, so we stock a variety of goods to appeal to different tastes, including a wide selection of Raton and New Mexico souvenirs. We also ship on request.”
Mary’s fun finds: My hands-down favorite find at All Seasons is the wind chimes, available in a range of sizes, designs, tones and price points. I gave myself one for our new house. They also carry Dionis, Burt’s Bees, and Naked Bee products, including a soothing repair cream that would make a great stocking stuffer for everyone whose hands take a beating during our northeastern New Mexico winters. Cozy Snoozies slippers come in cheery holiday patterns and handsome tartans for adults and children—pair them with flavored coffee, cocoa and mugs for a Christmas morning to remember. Add a dip mix, cookbook or printed dish towel to one of their festive chip-and-dip servers to create a welcome gift for hosts. The state-themed ornaments are fun, too. You’ll be able to cross a lot off your list here—and the pretty gift wrapping is free!
Patchwork Phoenix
Category: Shop
Street address: 228 South 1st St.
Social media address: Patchwork Phoenix (Facebook),
www.patchworkphoenix.com (website)
Phone: Laura Brewer 575-445-8000 or 575-707-0395
Hours: Tue-Fri 1:30-4:30 p.m. with occasional Saturdays for workshops and classes
Message from owners: “Patchwork Phoenix carries all things for sewing; fabric, needles, thread, scissors, marking pens, patterns, books, and quilting or sewing gift items as well as some craft supplies like hot glue guns, glue sticks, beads, felt, and even sewing machine parts. We usually carry those items that we use for the sewing, quilting, crafting, and painting classes that we give. We also have a nice selection of DoTerra Essential oils on hand for sale. But my main focus is providing classes and workshops in all creative outlets; sewing, crafting, painting, crochet, knitting and more. I also provide a free workshop for young people ages 10–17 called Fashion Fling which starts up again in January 2024. I am usually only a phone call away. If you have an emergency and need a needle and thread and an emergency repair. Just call.”
Mary’s fun finds: Laura’s shop is always a beehive of activity with people doing, imagining and learning. It’s fun to poke around the nooks and crannies of the historic building where Patchwork Phoenix makes its home, discovering baskets of ribbons, good reads by local authors, notions galore, and bolts of fabric including supersoft “Minky” in pretty pastels. It’s a place where color reins: I bought a color wheel and color workshop book for a friend and found myself mesmerized by the display of “Blendables” threads featuring a blend of colors in the same range and intensity on one spool. If you know someone (a kid, an elder, you!) who’s been talking about starting a hobby, Laura can help you pull together the basic tools to get them started—say, knitting needles, yarn and a how-to book. She also offers gift certificates that can be used for products as well as classes and workshops; register here for future offerings.
Disclaimer: Laura Brewer, owner of Patchwork Phoenix, is the publisher of TheRatonian.com.
Dancing Eagle Gifts
Category: Gift shop
Street address: 473 Clayton Rd., located in the Best Western Plus Raton Hotel
Social media address: Dancing Eagle Gifts (Facebook)
Phone: Lynda Brown 575-445-8501
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Message from owners: “We have authentic Native American jewelry, fashion jewelry, Raton and New Mexico T-shirts and jackets, crosses, pottery, Leanin’ Tree greeting cards, magnets, and funny t-shirts.”
Mary’s fun finds: For those who love the adrenaline rush of last-minute shopping, Dancing Eagle has your back! They’ll be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They offer a glorious selection of handcrafted jewelry and pots—I can’t walk past without stopping to look and wish—and cuddly black bears sure to be adored by recipients of any age. Their t-shirts are the perfect gift for that co-worker, friend or family member who enjoys a good laugh; among the pithy sayings are “I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes…she hugged me”; “I work so my dog can have a better life”; and “I’d love to explain it to you, but I don’t have any crayons.” I also really like their Raku pottery medallions, priced around $15. I can imagine them shimmering on a Christmas tree now and in a window after the holidays.
Nifty Thrifties, Part 1
Category: Consignment, Secondhand and Thrift Stores
Street addresses: Alternatives to Violence Thrift Store, 224 South 1st St; Avila’s, 1034 South 2nd St.; MCMC Thrift Shop, 955 South 2nd St.; Willow Springs Traders, 1222 South 2nd St.
Hours: Vary by store
Mary’s fun finds: We are lucky to have several resale stores in Raton where plucky shoppers can uncover great bargains, for themselves or to give. While not everyone appreciates receiving a thrifted treasure, many people do—especially those who hate to see anything more go into landfills. With just a little bit of imagination and creativity, it’s easy to reuse, recycle, and upcycle secondhand goods. You’ll see some examples where I’ve done that below. In other cases, the items I found were in such excellent condition they were ready to use or wrap, with no extra effort required. If you’re looking to make your money go further, shopping in our local resale shops is a perfect way to get started!
I scored this beautiful English transferware platter at Willow Springs Traders for $10. It’s lovely enough to give as is, but the grapevine border inspired me to add a bottle of wine, a bow, and two wineglasses ($2) from the Alternatives to Violence Thrift Store.
I challenge you to find a full-price gift this special for under $30. You could replace the wine with sparkling grape juice to spend even less.
This sweet ceramic village, comprised of a school, candle store, public library and residence, cost $5 at Avila’s. I wiped them off and settled them in some “snow” for a windowsill full of Christmas cheer.
These like-new kids’ books came from the MCMC Thrift Store for a total outlay of $3.
The flameless candle embellished with chickadees and the forest green porcelain candleholders came from the Alternatives to Violence Thrift Store. I added candles from Records Ace Hardware and a pre-made bow from Dollar General to create this festive table decoration for less than $7!
Stay tuned for more thrifty finds in future editions of Santa Shops Raton.
Santa Gifts an Experience, Part 1
Category: Memberships, tickets
Mary’s fun finds: There are lots of fun things to explore, see and do in Raton and the surrounding area. So today I’m sharing recommendations for memberships, passes or tickets you can purchase for recipients to enjoy—an experience instead of something to hold in your hand. These are great options for that “friend who has everything” or a family member who likes to get outdoors. Further, your purchase supports the ongoing work of these organizations. Definitely a win-win! I gleaned most of this information from websites, so be sure to connect directly with the providers to verify costs, hours and benefits.
OPTION A: The Raton Museum
What: Annual Membership providing access to this year-round venue offering art, history and research facilities.
Cost: Memberships are available at two levels: Regular, $35 or Heritage, $75
Street address: 108 South 2nd St.
Social media addresses: theratonmuseum.org (website); ratonmuseum@gmail.com (email); Raton Museum (Facebook)
Phone: 575-445-8979
Hours: Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
OPTION B: The Historic Shuler Theater
What: Subscription to the 2023-24 Performing Arts Series or tickets to individual performances of “A Christmas Carol” (Dec 14-17) or other offerings throughout the year.
Cost: Varies by series/event
Street address: 131 North 2nd St.
Social media addresses: shulertheater.com (website); Shuler Theater (Facebook)
Phone: 575-445-4746
Hours: Vary. You can visit the Old Pass Gallery, 145 South 1st St. for more information and to buy Shuler tickets. Gallery hours are Tues-Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
OPTION C: Capulin Volcano National Monument
What: Annual Pass providing access to the park which showcases the volcanic geology of northeastern New Mexico. Includes a visitor center, interpretive displays, bookstore, and hiking trails.
Cost: The Capulin Volcano Annual Pass is $35. You can also purchase an interagency pass for $80 (The America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series) that covers the entrance fee to Capulin and more than 2,000 other recreation sites across the U.S. Both passes may be purchased using credit/debit cards only at the Capulin Volcano visitor center.
Street address: 46 Volcano Hwy., Capulin, NM 88414
Social media addresses: nps.gov/cavo (website)
Phone: 575-278-2201
Hours: During winter, the park is open Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The park will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Solano’s Boot & Western Wear
Category: Western wear store
Street address: 101 South 2nd St.
Social media addresses: www.solanoswesternwear.com; SolanosWesternWear (Facebook); solanoswesternwear (Instagram)
Phone: 575-445-2632; 888-808-1956
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Message from owners: “Boots is our business, hats is our business, and we have everything else in between. Our Tack Shop can custom make anything in leather. Also, our repair shop is always busy rejuvenating boots and shoes. We offer free gift wrapping. We have gift certificates in-store and gift cards on-line. Our website has free shipping on certain items. Our Christmas sale runs from 12/16 to 12/25 with 10-50% off sale items, and anything that’s not on sale we’ll discount by 10%.”
Mary’s fun finds: This was the first store I visited in Raton; I felt welcomed then and still do whenever I stop in. Among my favorite items are those for little buckaroos, like my Goddaughters in Virginia who’ll be receiving “big girl” cowboy boots from Solano’s for Christmas this year. The toddler-sized fire engine red union suits are surely classics (not to mention adorable). One day when I was there a handsome cowboy tried on an equally handsome gray wool vest; I smiled when he bought it because it looked like it was made with him in mind. Look for the scarves in a waterfall of jewel tones and the jewelry, Minnetonka moccasins, belts, buckles, denim and dusters. (Sandy wasn’t kidding when she said they have hats, boots and everything in between.) There’s even a fancy men’s western shirt embroidered with poinsettias for the holidays. Yeehaw!
The Old Pass Gallery
Category: Fine art and gift shop
Street address: 145 South 1st St., next to the train station
Social media address: The Old Pass Art Gallery (Facebook)
Phone: 575-445-2052
Hours: Tues–Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Message from owner: The Raton Arts & Humanities Council, Inc. (RAHC) owns and operates the Old Pass Gallery and Gift Shop located in the former Wells Fargo building (circa 1910). The gallery features well over 200 local and regional artists during the year. The RAHC’s mission is to encourage and strengthen the cultural life of the area, providing residents with opportunities for artistic participation, self-expression, education and enjoyment.
Mary’s fun finds: It is exciting to see works by Ratonians and other area artists on display at the Old Pass Art Gallery. On my most recent visit, there were pieces by Joseph Bertola, Tim Gianulis, Jesus Gomez, Sam Hughes, Karen McKelvie and Carl Swanson, among others. There was also lovely holly-themed serve ware by local potter Jeannie Poulter. I am struck by how affordable these original paintings, pots, and sculptures are, with many priced below $200. The gift shop offers greeting cards, books by local authors, decorative crosses, plaques and distinctive jewelry. The necklaces and magnets by Ron White are ideal for mailing to distant friends and family: they are inexpensive and lightweight, and the images evoke the beauty of life here in the West. The gallery is also a relaxing place to catch your breath when the holidays get too hectic. Browsers and deep breathers are welcome!
Tina’s Goodies
Category: Gift and accessories store
Street address: 211 Park Ave., next to the Raton Post Office
Social media address: Tina’s goodies (Facebook)
Phone: Tina Vigil-Torres 575-707-1320
Hours: Mon–Fri 1:30-4 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Message from owner: “I started the business four years ago in a virtual environment doing Facebook Live events, and then opened the boutique to try something new with a wider variety of items.”
Mary’s fun finds: This shop is stocking stuffer heaven. There are press-on fingernails, wristlets, pencil pouches, fancy pens, key rings, ankle socks, decorative bobby pins and colorful ponytail holders—any of which I would have loved as a kid. The festive plaid hairbows are perfect for the holidays, and the pastel-and-patterned ones are great for every day. There are shoe charms for boys, girls and grown-ups. Speaking of adults, ladies will find faux eyelashes, shiny lip glosses, shimmery skirts, and spangly high heels just made for stepping out on New Year’s Eve. Tina’s is big fun in a small space!
Ramel Family Farms
Located in the Heirloom Shop on First Street.
Category: Eclectic store with fresh produce and other goods.
Street address: 132 South 1st Street is the retail store. Our farm is located at the old recycling facility/Armex building, 420 East 4th Ave.
Social media address: @ramelfamilyfarms (Instagram and Facebook)
Phone: Kayvan Khalatbari, 720.273.6835.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Message from owner: “We try to offer things you can’t find elsewhere in Raton.
Fresh produce is a major focus of ours. If it doesn’t come from our local farm, it largely comes from other small, local farmers in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. In winter, we try to focus on our produce and supplement that with other organic, American-grown grocery items. We offer (mostly) regional supplements, mushroom powders, etc. Our mushroom production is back up and we’ll be selling fresh gourmet mushrooms again, including oyster, Lion’s Mane, king trumpet and chestnut! We sell local and natural household cleaning and personal products. We also want to be a place kids feel comfortable coming into and shopping, hence the comics and ever-growing supply of Asian snacks. We have a huge selection of comic trade paperbacks coming in for the holiday season.”
Mary’s fun finds: This is without doubt the hippest store in town, with a growing inventory ranging from fresh fruits and veggies to curry paste to plants, clothing, hats and footwear. They have used and new books, including works by the brilliant food and culture writer Michael Pollan. There’s a great selection of vinyl starting at just $3.99, with something for everyone—well, everyone who has a turntable—from Dean Martin to Ashanti. I left with one album of trumpet concertos and another of cowboy songs. As a pet mom, I was happy to find organic dog treats in flavors like duck and squash. There are intriguing snacks for people, too, including Mexican chocolate cookies (gluten free and vegan) and prickly pear kettle corn. You’ll be glad you stopped in. And be sure to mention having seen this post to receive a 10% discount on your purchase!
The Pack Rat Gift Shop
Category: Gift store
Street address: 207 Park Avenue
Social media address: The Pack Rat (Facebook)
Phone: 575-445-3242
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Message from owners: “We have unique, affordable gifts for everyone along with custom-made gift baskets. We offer gift certificates, free gift wrapping, and can ship certain items, depending on size and weight. We just learned that we lost our lease, so we will be relocating to 207 Park Ave. in February 2024. That means that in addition to our holiday promotions, we will be having a moving sale. Please stop in between now and Dec. 30, when we will close to get ready for the move. Thank you for shopping with us and for your continued support as we transition.”
Mary’s fun finds: Belying its name, The Pack Rat is well-lit and roomy. Their elegant, affordable ruanas are THE perfect gift for women on your list, as one size fits most. I bought two for friends to throw on when they head out the door in winter (and to fend off the chill of air conditioning come summer.) The distinctive wallets and purses would be another good option for them. The cute and practical kitchen gadgets make nifty and thrifty stocking stuffers. Since I can never pass up New Mexico Piñon Coffee, we’ll be enjoying the biscochito flavor Christmas morning. You’ll also find jigsaw puzzles, Coca Cola and John Deere collectibles, and dozens of decorative crosses. Oh–did I mention the serving ware, pitchers, coffee presses and tea kettles?
Willow Springs Traders
Category: Consignment/Antiques Store
Street address: 1222 South 2nd St.
Social media address: butchpriest@bacavalley.com
Phone: Butch Priest 505-400-6603
Hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Message from owners: “My focus is to have an outlet for people to sell good used items they no longer need and to provide a place where local people can buy good quality items and livestock feed. We are a customer service-based business. We have new local handmade items including jewelry, wood vases, wood bowls, and pottery vases. We also have vintage collectible items. Being a consignment business new items come in frequently. Stop by often to see what is new in the store.”
Mary’s fun finds: The first time I stopped into Willow Springs Traders I was immediately drawn to the display of vintage Frankoma Pottery, including dishware, trivets and a set of handsome green canisters. I went home with a $10 earthenware crock and a beautiful transferware platter (more on that in a future post.) On a subsequent visit, the silver jewelry and collectible aviation banks caught my eye. (Consider gifting one of the highly detailed airplanes to that hard-to-buy-for man or boy on your list.) That trip, I picked up a bag of wildflower seed for a friend who wants to attract more pollinators to her property. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for browsing among Butch’s large assortment of saddles, tack, blankets, tools and lanterns.
Buffalo Chip
Category: Gift shop
Street address: 112 So. 2nd St.; look for the purple awning next to the Raton Museum
Social media address: Buffalo Chip (Facebook)
Phone: 575-445-7659
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun sometimes
Message from owners: “We’re a unique one-of-a-kind shop. Come see inside for promotions. We offer gift certificates and shipping.”
Mary’s fun finds: Buffalo Chip has such a wide array of goods that I hardly know where to start! I paired a bar of prettily packaged olive oil soap with a cheery dish towel for a hostess gift costing less than $15. They also have jewelry, socks, fun signs, ornaments, oversized Christmas stockings and decorative pillows. Among their most popular items? Clay in motion pottery, including serving pieces, bakeware and mugs—the colors are amazing—and Touch Lamps to add warmth to New Mexico’s cold winter evenings. And don’t overlook their thoughtful selection of toys mid-store: the scratch boards, mosaics, origami and other kits are perfect for spurring creativity and giving kids a break from their devices.
