D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
May 2008
Where the Spirit Moves You
Spirit Winds combines coffee, goodies and gifts to keep customers coming back. Plus ToyTown under new ownership, baby businesses booming, SuckerPunch Sallys roars into town and more.
It's early in the morning and Richard Parra, owner of Spirit Winds Coffee Bar in Las Cruces, is blowing through the joint like a gale-force wind. Wiping tables, nudging chairs into place, Parra never loses the smile from his face.
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Spirit Winds owner Robert Parra serves
a customer in the gift shop. (Photos by Donna Clayton Lawder) |
"Hi! Good morning!" he calls to a couple of student-looking types working on their laptops, taking advantage of the free wireless Internet service. "Good morning, good morning. How's it going?" he asks a silver-haired couple at another table. "Can I take those?" he asks, gesturing to some empty plates and coffee mugs.
Like any good proprietor in the food-service business, Parra knows that every job in the place — from busing tables to ringing the register, mopping the floor to greeting the customers — is one he'd better be willing to pitch in and do himself. Parra originally opened Spirit Winds in Mesilla in 1978, then opened in Ruidoso and another location in Las Cruces. He currently operates only the current store on Locust Street, marking 11 years at the location this July.
Having straightened the cafe to his satisfaction, Parra then goes into Spirit Winds' colorful gift area and shows a customer several pairs of earrings. She decides on a pair and Parra rings the sale and bags the purchase, then steps out from behind the counter, eager to talk about the store's imminent renovation.
"We're going to tear out this wall and then move the gift counter forward like this," he says with broad gestures of his arms, marking off the floor with a few paces. "That'll give us more room for space back here to expand the office space." Parra indicates a cramped space in the back. "That'll be an improvement, don't you think?" he asks with a laugh. "And all of this change with the wall and all will give us more room for the cyber cafe, so people feel comfortable and relaxed having their lunch, their coffee, whatever."
Not just a coffee fueling station, Spirit Winds serves up soups, sandwiches, salads and desserts. The chalkboard menu lists sandwiches like the Big Bobo, "piled high with turkey," the Hummus Roll-up with red bell peppers, cucumbers, red onion, black olives, lettuce and tomato, hot paninis, a black bean burger and more. Spirit Winds also serves breakfast sandwiches, croissants and other pastries.
Spirit Winds has become a prime Las Cruces hangout and gift destination — voted the "Best Gift Source and Coffee Bar" in Las Cruces Sun-News reader surveys from 1996-2003. The bathroom is plastered with plaques and citations, thanking Spirit Winds and Parra for participation in the city's For the Love of Art Month, the 4th of July committee and other community endeavors. Another placard indicates that Spirit Winds is designated a "safe zone," welcoming all people of any persuasion, promising an atmosphere of tolerance.
The decor at Spirit Winds could perhaps be described as global-retro-funk — plus a good dose of irreverence, an energetic juxtaposition that is echoed in the gifts the shop carries.
"I started with just the gifts the first year and a half, then we added the coffee," Parra explains. "Now I think people come here for one as much as the other. Some come in looking for a special gift and they'll have a cup of coffee. Others might come in for their coffee and scone and then remember they need a gift for a friend or someone."
A goodly number of items fall in the category of the frankly outlandish, from a welcome mat with the words "Wow! Nice Underwear!" to a "Jesus Saves" coin bank, to cat-butt stickers, a collection of whimsical feline derrieres. Spirit Winds also sells truly sublime items, like wall tapestries with peaceful messages and Chinese calligraphy and Buddha statues suitable for a home altar. The themes playfully blend and weave — Papo brand warrior-action figures guard shelves of hand-crafted earrings. There's practically a shrine to Frida Khalo and Our Lady of Guadalupe and a whole collection of items — mugs, buttons, T-shirts and more — counting down to President Bush's last day in office.
There are shelves of Mexican arts and crafts — muy authentico! — and a line of casual clothing: relaxed skirts, tanks, capris and more in earth-toned and brilliant shades by Kathmandu Imports. CDs are "buy, sell and trade," and the shop sells a vast assortment of greeting cards for any taste and occasion.
Parra credits the shop's unique gift line with creating a "buzz" for the business. "A lot of them (customers) come by word of mouth," he says. "They hear, 'Oh, you've just got to see what they have there.' People tell me all the time that they can find gifts here they could find nowhere else. That's fun."
As for how Spirit Winds thrives in a city with more coffee options, it seems, every day, Parra says the personal touch is key to letting his customers know they are appreciated.
"I think I pretty much know everybody, at least by face, that comes in here," he says. "People like a friendly greeting, and it makes me feel great to see them coming back because that means we're doing it right. It's the customers that have made me successful."
And keeping those customers happy — with more room and a reorganized store — is what this renovation is about, he says.
"A lot of my regulars are saying 'Don't change it too much!'" Parra says with a laugh. "They'll see; it'll be even better with all the room and the improved layout. And I promise — we're not going to lose the funk!"
Spirit Winds Coffee Bar, 2260 S. Locust St., Las Cruces. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Later hours coming in the summer, with live music. 521-1222.
Ch-ch-changes
ToyTown manager Kim Godfrey is now the owner of the Silver City indie toy store she's managed for the nonprofit Gila Institute for Tots to Teens (GIFTTT) for the past three years. After closing for a re-organizational "spring break" the end of March, the store reopened under Godfrey's ownership in early April. "I just love the store, I know this business and it's better for the park (board of directors) to not have to worry about a retail store," Godfrey says. "I still accept donations for the park and sell T-shirts for them." Stop in and congratulate Godfrey and check out her stock of summer toys. 113 W. Broadway, 388-1677.
The Silver Servings nutrition club has vacated the corner of Kelly and Bullard Sts., and that space is for rent. But Carol and Ron Rosenau are still operating their Herbalife business out of their Silver City home, offering consultations and free delivery of their nutritional shakes, supplements and other products. "We've been doing business for 15 years, for a year at that location with the nutrition-club approach, and we are still in business, out of our home now," Carol Rosenau says. 313-9459.
Mountain View Market in Las Cruces is starting a farmers market, Sundays 11 a.m.-4 p.m., beginning June 1. 523-0436.
New in Town
Margaret Rhode is the founder and director of Deva Medicine, a Silver City practice offering healing sessions for body, heart, mind, soul. Rhode says the sessions she offers are designed to bring wholeness and enhance healing and are complimentary to other healing modalities. She has been both a psychotherapist and a midwife, and offers numerology readings that help to clarify and understand life patterns, providing guidance in daily life. 534-4986, margaretrhode@msn.com
The very enterprising Jeff Hobbs, a paramedical professional who splits his time between Silver City and Safford, Ariz., has opened Sonoran A's mobile food business, in Silver City. Hobbs has been operating the business over in Safford and just recently started selling his Mexican-style hot dogs, chips and drinks here. Look for his tasty wares in front of Big O Tires on Hwy. 180 and the Super Snappy Mart at the corner of Swan and Hwy. 180.
Silver Satellite and Wireless has opened in that cute little, uniquely shaped building at 1103 N. Hudson St., selling wireless services and electronics. 534-4330.
David C. Madrid, Jr., has opened Ink Doktr/Doktr Willson's Office, a tattoo business at 857 Silver Heights Blvd. in Silver City, near the New Mirage Salon and the Drifter. Lifelong resident Madrid has been a tattoo artist for eight years, and plans to also sell T-shirts and jewelry for body piercing out of his shop in the near future. 574-8814.
Michael E. Rector has opened A&M Archery Accessories, a new business selling archery equipment and accessories for hunting, at 1800 Hwy. 180 E., Ste. B, in Silver City. 388-4416.
Charlotte Tallman has opened Elle Write, a Las Cruces copywriting business producing press releases, business memos, correspondence, speeches, Web page content and more. 635-6833, charlotte.tallman@gmail.com, www.ellewrite.com
Mesilla Valley Mall is now bulging with another new store. Motherhood Maternity, selling a full line of maternity apparel and accessories, has opened near center court, next to Journey's.
And also in the baby business, two sonographers have opened Baby Cheeks 3D/4D Ultrasound Boutique in Las Cruces. Expectant families can view the one yet unborn via ultrasound, purchase photos and even have custom images of their baby put on shirts and coffee mugs. 522-4663, 527-1830.
Bigger and Better
Gregory W. Johnson of Las Cruces is expanding his company, Dona Ana Medical Supply, opening a Silver City office by the end of June. The company has operated in Las Cruces for six years. "We already know quite a few people in Silver and we service the Fort Bayard Medical Center," Johnson says. The company deals in respiratory and durable medical goods like semi-electric beds, wheel chairs, oxygen equipment and more. 522-5931.
Terrazas Funeral Chapels has expanded, opening a second funeral home at 901 S. Pearl St. in Deming, formerly the Father Stanley Hall, an historic church hall.
The Scott Nichols family of dealerships has expanded, adding Chevrolet and Cadillac to its existing Buick, Pontiac and GMC lines. 2750 Hwy. 180, Silver City. (888) 538-3777.
She's a "keeper"! Accent Real Estate, at 510 W. Amador Ave. in Las Cruces, has expanded by adding Stephanie L. Keepers to its roster of agents. Keepers has more than 18 years' experience in the business.
Coming Soon
Schaefer Outfitter, a Steamboat Springs, Colo.-based Western outfitter, will move into an 8,000-square-foot space in Mesilla Park. In business since 1982, the company plans to conduct distribution at the Mesilla location, and may do some manufacturing as well, employing six workers sometime this month and increasing to as many as 50 employees by the end of next year.
Got bike? SuckerPunch Sallys, a renowned hand-built motorcycle store out of Scottsdale, Ariz., will open in Las Cruces in the plaza on Calle de Mercado, just off Avenida de Mesilla. The store will sell SuckerPunch Sallys motorcycles and apparel. The company expects to have its first stock of wheels in the store by end of this month or early June. www.suckerpunchstore.com
On the Move
Sol Imports has moved from its location on Calle de Mercado to a new space at 746 W. Palms, across from the county building, with a warehouse and tile showroom. Christina Montoya, who owns the business with her husband Ken Montoya, confirms that the store still deals in the same tile and imported furnishings they had in the former location. 525-9765, www.solimports.com
Things are going swimmingly at Pool Tech Plus in its new location at 2231 E. Lohman Ave. in Las Cruces. 524-4633, www.pooltechplus.com
Things Remembered has moved to a new spot in the Mesilla Valley Mall. It now is located in front of GNC, near Barnes & Noble.
La Pinon Sexual Assault Recovery Services of Southern New Mexico had its grand opening for its new administrative offices at 525 S. Melendres St. in Las Cruces. La Pinon is a rape crisis and prevention center. 526-3437, www.zianet.com/lapinon
Kudos
Five students from Silver High School FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) recently competed in the "Entrepreneurship" category in the STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) competition in Albuquerque. The students created an online family magazine and developed the skills necessary to place the publication on the Internet. The students qualified to compete in the national competition in Orlando in July, for which they are now seeking financial support. Donations can be made at AmBank under the account for Marie Zembas for FCCLA. 388-1563.
Silver City MainStreet Project has been nominated for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) award for its efforts to preserve Silver City's historic downtown. The group is the oldest and among the most successful MainStreet Projects in New Mexico. Silver City's 22-year-old MainStreet Project is one of 18 active programs in the state of New Mexico, but one of only nine (also including Las Cruces) to be nationally accredited. The EDA usually receives around 100 nominations in eight different categories. Three finalists will be announced per category by May 15 and the winners named May 30.
Going, going, gone. . .
Laurent's Shoes, 1610 Silver Heights Blvd. in Silver City, will be shutting its doors after 45 years in business. The store will be closed this month to reorganize stock, and re-open for a final sell-out June 1. A spokeswoman for the store says Mrs. Laurent is ready to retire. 388-1481.
A pair of Las Cruces furniture stores, Oak Plus at 315 S. Telshor and Big Bargain Furniture, 875 W. Amador, are closing their doors.
Bobolink, the shop on Avenida de Mesilla selling goods for bird lovers and birding enthusiasts, has flown the coop.
Two Las Cruces art galleries are shutting their doors. Artists Julie Ford Oliver and Carolyn Bunch will not renew the lease for Patio Art Gallery, which expires at the end of June. The gallery will hold a farewell celebration the end of this month (see ArtShorts). 655 E. University Ave. at El Paseo. 541-7401, www.patioartgallery.com
And the White Raven Studios gallery also is going out of business, closing their bright blue doors at 425 W. Griggs Ave. for the last time June 1. Sherry Doil-Carter, an artist and educator who owns the gallery with contemporary artist Sandy Zane, says the gallery simply wasn't making money. The building that houses White Raven is now on the market. 525-9543, www.whiteravenstudios.com
Citizen's Bank branch in the Albertson's grocery store on Telshor is closing. As Business Exposure reported last August, the bank plans to add a new Las Cruces branch near the corner of Motel Boulevard and Picacho Avenue by this summer. The 10,000-square-foot bank will have an ATM and is projected to cost $10-$15 million to build.