If Gil Vasquez or Charlee Creasy sees you walk into the charming Bootleggers Bistro in Downtown Westcliffe, two things will happen in short order. They will immediately start pouring your preferred drink, and Gil will come over to give you a big handshake and a warm smile. This western small town barroom charm is a real-world version of the beloved 1980s television show Cheers, “Where everyone knows your name.”
One thing has been missing over the past few years, however: local ownership of Bootleggers. The current Texas-based owner of the eatery ended up owning it by accident. While the details of that complicated story are not pertinent here, the current owner has shown an interest in working with Vasquez and Creasy to help them become the owners of the establishment they have worked so hard to successfully infuse with a soul.
Now the two experienced restaurateurs are ready to take the plunge into ownership. However, they could use some help from the community to tackle a sizable down payment before the busy tourist season arrives. From a community standpoint, the more local ownership, the more community wealth is built in the economic engine that powers downtown Westcliffe. Vasquez, Creasy, and the staff are all locals. Yet profits and equity from the establishment are exported out of state. Local ownership of businesses is one of the unseen reasons that Main Street has retained its charm over the past several decades, as investments, profits, and equity are held by community members. This effort to bring local ownership to existing businesses is what the late urban activist Jane Jacobs dubbed “import replacement.” Her theory in the Wealth of Cities highlights that community wealth comes from replacing goods or services imported from other cities. Under Vasquez’s and Creasy’s management, they have also focused on import replacement using local foods. During the warmer months last summer, they bought veggies from local “Jamber Acres” and delighted locals with fresh greens and a remarkable tomato caprese salad.
Local control allows more possibilities for commerce between regional businesses to flourish, circulating wealth and helping keep Main Street a wonderful place for both tourists and denizens.
Helping Vasquez and Creasy is easy, as they have set up a bank account at Kirkpatrick Bank for donations, or money can be sent through Venmo by scanning the QR code below. In addition, on Tuesday, March 31, they are holding a fundraising party at Bootleggers, featuring a raffle, silent auction, and more, from 2 to 7 p.m. (cash, check, or Venmo only for this event).
Be part of the effort to localize a beloved community hangout and donate today!
– Jordan Hedberg
