It’s been said that a small town needs the following essentials to thrive: a post office, a school, and a grocery store. While Redstone—the small town along the Crystal River about an hour’s drive from Aspen—has neither of the first two, it does have the third: the Redstone General Store. Or it did, until the business closed in summer 2020.

Thanks to Roaring Fork Valley locals Oriana Bier-Mobius and Rochelle Norwood, though, the store (292 Redstone Blvd) now lives again. The duo bought the business late last year and reopened it in January 2021. The store’s interior feels similar to the way it’s likely been for decades, but the products have a more local, homegrown slant. “It’s a place where we can nurture our community as a family,” says Bier-Mobius.

Part of that is calling on locals to contribute. Natural and organic varieties of dried goods have replaced more conventional ones, with a hyper-focus on Roaring Fork Valley and other Western Slope sources for dairy items, prepared foods, coffee, salves and lotions, art, and booze.

“Our liquor store is special, indeed,” says Bier-Mobius. The selection features locally made hard kombucha, craft beers, Gonzo gin, and Colorado boxed wines, as well as a custom peach-nectar honey wine made by Boulder’s Redstone Meadery.

Daily fresh-baked goods include cinnamon buns and scones, and loaves are delivered by Carbondale’s Shepherd Breads on Wednesday and Saturday. Longtime patrons will be relieved to know they can still find penny candy and ice cream, as well as lattes, coffee, and house-made soup.

The new owners have also introduced live music on the last Sunday of each month in warmer weather, with Colorado musicians sharing their songs.

In keeping with the store’s community feel, a scattering of tables and chairs in the front and back yards invite patrons to linger. Because if there’s a fourth thing a small town needs, it’s the opportunity to eat good food while watching neighbors and friends stroll by.