Hannah’s first exposure to bread baking was when she was growing up in Morrisville, VT. At 16, she participated in the building of a Quebec style wood-fired oven at her high school. There was always good bread to be found in Vermont and it was usually accompanied by good food and friends. Her path to owning her own bakery took her through several baking and culinary jobs. Hannah has a degree in geology and a certificate from the New England Culinary Institute in Pastry Arts. Although playing with cakes and confections was fun, she always came back to the simple flour, water, yeast and salt recipes. Working with a living food like bread provides endless challenges and opportunities for learning and growing.

Ben started baking in 2012 after graduating from Dartmouth College as a history major. In Idaho, Ben opened a bagel stand at farmers markets, bringing an East Coast tradition to Western markets. Upon moving to Jackson Hole, WY, Ben began learning about natural yeast fermentation in his home. He quickly realized he was destined to become a baker, not a doctor. He joined the team at Persephone Bakery, a gem in the midst of the Tetons, for almost a year. After Jackson Hole, Ben traveled throughout the continental U.S. on a “BreAdventure,” visiting 15 of the top bread bakers over the course of 3 months. Ben brought that experience as well as his own personal experience to Blue Grouse Bakery. When he is not at the bakery or making loaves at home, he can be found fly fishing, trail running, biking and skiing.

2 Businesses in Service to the Community

Nucla’s Tabeguache Trading Co at 470 Main Street and Vestal House were started by Christopher and Aimee Tooker. They saw a need in their town and decided to invest in not only their future but the economic future of the town of Nucla by supplying the demand for products in our area and support tourism with a bed and breakfast. The store supports visitors, history buffs, local artisans, hunters and recreationists with supplies including hunting and fishing licenses, outdoor gear, ammunition, and has their FFL. Having this store in town helps residents and visitors by providing supplies and services that are much needed and used in the West End.

Now completely renovated, the Nucla Vestal House is a quaint bed and breakfast with just enough amenities to see to your comfort but without the unnecessary glitz of a big city hotel. Centered in the small town of Nucla, CO on the edge of thousands of acres of open lands, you can rest up after a day of hiking while enjoying a meal you cook yourself in their fully equipped kitchen.

“We enjoy the solitude of the outdoors and all the wonderful adventures our drives and hikes take us on. Having all these public lands in our backyard is the best staycation.”

Lincoln and Amy Vestal joined the Colorado Cooperative Company in 1900. Lincoln was heavily involved with the company as president, a director, general manager, and superintendent. They build their craftsman style home on their acreage on Tabeguache Park in anticipation of the irrigation ditch. They eventually sold their property to the Town Improvement Company. The Vestal property was the most scenic and logical area to build the town.