We hope you’re staying home out there, and while you hunker down in your city,  we wanted to share what some of our favorite Aspen locals and businesses are up to during this time of uncertainty and how you can support our small community. 

SKIPPY MESIROW-COUNCILMAN

Although Skippy doesn’t have many non-work activities at the moment as he’s basically on the phone from morning till night, when he does have a break he tries to fit in a run or skin outside. He recently took his motorcycle out of storage yesterday with hopes that he can get some rides in soon. And because his days can be fairly unstable, he still takes time for his daily meditation and journaling.

We asked Skippy for ways we could help our city. Here is what he said:

“Right now it is difficult because we can’t leave our homes. However, certainly if businesses are in the digital space, you can purchase items from them there. If you have money the city is accepting private donations through the Aspen Community Foundation to support local and small businesses.” 

And lastly, we asked if he thought anything positive could come out of this mess:  

“It absolutely can. Every moment of struggle is a moment for growth and learning. The world we left behind three weeks ago, we loved much of it and it’s worth supporting, but there is a lot of it that we didn’t like and we were already wanting to change. Let this be a catalyst and opportunity to do this. Is it uncertain? Yeah. Is it scary? Yeah. Is there a lot of risk? Yes.

We have the opportunity to lean into that scariness and vulnerability and emerge out the other side stronger, more connected, more grounded and more focused on the things that matter. This is our cocoon and whether we want to emerge as a butterfly or not is entirely up to us.“

Follow Skippy on Instagram @skippymesirow

BOSQ-NEW AMERICAN RESTAURANT

“During this time of “chill” we have been filling our days with a 15 hour drive to St. Louis, 2+ hour walks (since we are in nice weather), taking the dog to the many open parks around town and enjoying family time with my parents and brothers. We have also been spending many hours preparing meals! Cooking and baking has been a wonderful past-time activity. The thing that’s taking up most of our time, however, is thinking of many ways to save our family business.  We are applying for any loan possible, accepting gift certificates, we’ve started a GoFundMe and talking with our banker daily. Oh, and lots of Hail Mary’s.”

-Molly & Barclay Dodge, owners of Bosq

You can donate to Bosq through GoFundMe at Bosq (@bosqaspen)

ASPEN OUTFITTING CO.-FLY FISHING & RETAIL SHOP

“Fly fishing is perfect for social distancing. We have been getting the licensing/sizing done in advance over the phone and then having guests drive themselves to a rendezvous point on the river where they meet their guide. In terms of ways we can be supported, we don’t have an online store, but we can deliver fishing gear flies, and gift certificates for retail or activities.”

-Jarrod Hollinger, owner Aspen Outfitting Co. 

ASPEN SHAKTI-YOGA STUDIO & RETAIL SHOP 

“Upon closing our doors temporarily for the safety of everyone,  the core Shakti team wanted to put something out there, from the heart, that would serve to keep our community connected as well as strengthen peoples nervous systems and capacity to find their center & surrender in these uncertain times, instead of spinning out into fear and panic. We also wanted to keep our wonderful teaching staff engaged, supported & connected. 

While we deeply miss our students, we are excited at the opportunities now presented to us to innovate. We are continually working on new creative and revolutionary ideas and offerings that span a wide range of platforms to make it as easy as possible for anyone to join!

Check out our website or instagram for the latest updates and invitations!”

-Jayne Gottlieb, owner Aspen Shakti

ASPEN ELEVATED HEALTH-HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTICE

Brittany Buffalino, Chinese Medical Practitioner and owner of Aspen Elevated Health, is passionate about educating her clients on the premise that “food is medicine”. During this slow time, while her office is closed, she has been creating custom herbal blends for clients that they can add to their homemade soups and broths in effort to make it easy for them to create comforting and nourishing meals and keep their immune systems strong. She has also been delivering immune boosting and stress relieving herbal and vitamin supplements to clients up and down the Valley. In her spare time she has been enjoying skinning and exploring on her mountain bike. 

-Brittany Buffalino, owner Aspen Elevated Health (@aspenelevatedhealth)

BUNDLES GIFT CO.-CUSTOM GIFTING

“This ski season I had decided that it was my year to try and ski 100 days. Well when the lifts stopped on March 14th, I only had 82 in the bag. While devastated for so many reasons, I decided that the lift closure wouldn’t stop me from hitting my goal, and that I would uphill the remaining 18 days. As I write this I have just finished my 97th day, and plan to reach my goal this following week. Having a goal has helped me stay focused and feel like I am achieving something during this slow work period.” 

Wesley Brown is the owner and creative designer at Bundles Gift Co. who specializes in custom gifting for large events and weddings. Pictured is her new Altitude Kits for the 2020 season.

CAMPO DE FIORI-ITALIAN RESTAURANT & CATERING

We asked Elizabeth Plotke, owner of one of our favorite restaurants in Aspen, Campo de Fiori, how they were getting on during this time. She said they were getting outdoors as much as they could to hike or skin up the mountain, as well as making it a priority to meditate each day.  And listen to this, Elizabeth is making big batches of super nourishing and healthy bone broths to take to those who are in need and are sick. How wonderful is that!

-Elizabeth Plotke, owner of Campo De Fiori (@campo_aspen)

For the most up-to-date information on these businesses, please go to their Instagram accounts listed in this blog.

ALC is passionate about supporting our local businesses and preserving our vibrant mountain community. Please contact us directly if you would like to learn more on how to support our businesses.