Updates on Lyons businesses 4/23
THOR’s PET SHOP
The lizard and bird pet store in the Village shopping strip is now open. They sell quality pet food for most pets. On the weekend, they have hired some local teens, who often invite their friends to stop by and take part in the fun feeding of the animals. It took them an additional month to do all the things that the Town of Lyons was requesting them to do. I told them that Your Story is a good blueprint for potential new store owners to see… the many unexpected steps it takes to open a store. They are currently open 7 days a week, and plan to have a big Grand Opening this spring.
Laura Rutherford, co-owner, said, “We got our PACFA license and have inventory coming in and being stocked. We will have Ball Pythons available for sale. We offer the building of bio- habitats for reptiles. We will also have pet Hamsters.
We will have Fromm, Blue wilderness, Merrick, Canidae, Rachel Ray, and some other brands of dog/cat food — toys, harnesses and leashes, dog biscuits, chicken feed, bird food and supplies, fish food and supplies, reptile food and supplies… crickets, Dubai Roaches, meal worms, horn-worms and other feeder food for reptiles… frozen and live mice and rats for snake food, and will be getting more.
We offer the building of bio- habitats for reptiles. We still need to bring in aquariums and stock more items but that will come in time. If anyone wants us to get a certain brand of food, then we can order that brand for them. I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot but for now it’s a start. We are glad to have any suggestions as well.”
SPIRITHOUND DISTILLERY – Expanding
After winning the “Whisky of the Year” award from London Wine and Spirits competition last year, the owners of SpiritHound Distillery said it really opened their eyes to how many people loved our spirits and how many more people want to try their products.
They refer to their place as “the doghouse” because of their whisky logo. As you drive by, you may be wondering what is happening at the doghouse? Their remodel is staged in phases. Their tasting room is expanding into their current parking lot, which will soon be graveled. They will expand both their indoor and our outdoor seating. They are adding a new patio that will wrap around two sides of the distillery. We are also adding a second bar location to service the new patio and redesigning a new larger bar inside, too.
They expect phase one to be completed this summer, and then they will move on to phase two which will expand their craft distillation production facility. Plans are still being finalized, but they hope to be wrapped in late Fall of 2023.
Miscellaneous items we asked them about: == The backyard will be open this summer, where they often have live bands. It will probably be modified as part of phase2. == They will continue to not have a kitchen, but will be offering new snacks and nibblers, and their charcuterie board.
== The “train box car” that was brought in during the pandemic will be relocated and remodeled and a bar will be installed inside. === They will continue to use the Town of Lyons’s parking lot during special events, with a shuttle bus, like World Whisky Day on May 20th.
Also, they say: “Virtually growth is being done too. We recently launched our products for on-line delivery to 41 states across the US. For the first time, we are crossing over the Colorado border and our out-of-state friends can order it directly to their door — order it on our website: SpiritHound Distillery & Tasting Room
DAIRY BAR – Remodeling/Relocating Sales
More than a month ago, the Dairy Bar switched up the layout of its store. The front windows where orders were placed in the past became drastically limited. Only quick food orders can be made there now. Cory Pierce, owner, said that it is working well, and especially with construction workers who often have 30-minute lunches. The full order counter was moved into the previous “candy and bakery” store. People can order their ice cream and/or meal there, as well as pick up some candy or pastry treats to take home. There are a few tables inside, and several picnic tables outside. The building still has the black-and-white Jersey cow paint pattern on it, visually connecting the front and back ends of the business.
“GYM” in LYONS:
The group run by Fi (from Juicy Dialogue) now has an official planning committee with officers. They met on March 28th for the first time. The next meeting was mainly to discuss the possible location. They have two in mind, but there are obstacles that need to be overcome. ===KIDS DRAMA SCHOOL === The Dramagic group in town, who did the children’s play at the library, is looking for a permanent space to teach classes. The Gym and Drama groups may join forces and develop a large building into a community center — the gym space, climbing wall, martial arts, sauna and theatre space — a full on destination for healthy activity. They are also considering the name of the place… and more. Contact gorillanator@protonmail.com of you would like to be part of this dynamic group.
PLUME & FURROW – Weekly Flower Program
Spring is around the corner — Plume & Furrow is reopening their flower share program for the 2023 season! They begin on the Friday before Mother’s Day, and will be offering three different shares this year. Their “Flower Stand” (trailer) flower sales will again be on an honor system. It is located at the front of The Lyons Farmette property stocked with grab & go wrapped bouquets all season long, but these shares are a guarantee that you will get beautiful farm fresh flowers designed just for you every week. They offer a 10% discount for folks that sign up for all 3 seasons- email kim@lyonsfarmette.com for the discount code. We will have lots more information next week in our Mother’s Day floral gifts article.
JERALYN’s LIVING ARTS FLORAL
You may know that Jeralyn Brenner, owner of Living Arts Floral, had some water damage to her business’s building on Main Street, due to a pipe bursting because of its exposed location on the building. She thought it was a good time to expand her business location size due to growth in sales. She is now operating out of her home business in Lyons, and is excited to share news about it. She has a gorgeous new store on her property, along with restarting her classes, and will have a drive-through opportunity! — See more information about spring offerings in our Mother’s Day floral gifts article next week.
U PUMP IT – Closed
We’re sad to say that the privately owned U Pump It gas station (not a chain) closed in April. The various mumbled reasons for closure by the cashiers mainly pointed to the owners not making enough money to update pumps. Some local customers were told there were new renters and others were told “I don’t know what’s going to happen to it.” === A Lyons person said on Facebook “Lyons Happenings” that it was owned by Peerless, and someone is TENTATIVELY under contract. I looked up Peerless and it was not listed among the individual businesses. It may be an individually owned franchise. === Someone else said it is a Valero station. Our research gave no conclusive evidence of that. === So we will settle back and see who takes it over and remodels it. In the meantime, locals are still able to access the other gas station in town, Circle K, which is known nationwide (especially by truckers) for having reasonable prices. We wish the old owners of U Pump It luck in their new pursuits.
FIRE or SMOKE DAMAGED BUSINESSES on MAIN STREET
We will have a separate article on this, listing the owners’ state of mind and welfare, and any new location that they may have opened. === We will also have a separate article on the fire damage done to the workshed of Android Jones and his latest work later in May.
Note, if you find these researched hot topics useful, please consider contributing $12 for a year’s worth of articles (25 cents a week). CLICK HERE.
