Grocery store changes ownership
Ouray Grocery has new owners – the Fedel family sold the business to Brian and Kelly Howerton on June 9, according to an announcement from the grocery store, located at 621 Main St. in Ouray.
Brian Howerton brings more than 30 years of grocery experience to the business, and his wife Kelly has spent the past 25 years working in elementary education, according to information posted by Associated Food Stores.
They purchased the business from Tom and Alyssa Fedel, who purchased it from Christen Williams in 2020. At that time, they changed the name from Duckett’s Market to Ouray Grocery.
The Fedels also own Ouray Liquors, which they purchased earlier this year, and co-own the new Ridgway Ace Hardware, which opened in October 2024.
St. Elmo Hotel sells for $3 million
The historic St. Elmo Hotel has sold to a new owner.
According to county public records, the Baggett family sold the property, including the hotel and the building housing the former Bon Ton Restaurant, to Elmo PropCo LLC on June 9, for $3 million. The Baggetts had owned the property since 2014.
The new proprietor is Jason Raible, a Telluride-based real estate developer who previously worked to renovate and open the Rathbone Hotel in Montrose in 2024.
The hotel is one of Ouray’s oldest lodging establishments, built in 1898 by Kittie Heit.
According to an announcement from the hotel, it will be called the St. Elmo Hotel & Tavern.
Candy store moves to new location
Sweet Ouray has moved to a new location at 614 Main St., in the former location of Columbine Gifts & Silver.
The store, which specializes in nostalgic, old-fashioned candy, souvenirs and gifts, moved down the street from its former home, next to the Wright Opera House, where it opened in summer 2023. Marmots Acai is now open in that location.
New gallery to open in Ouray
The building at 738 Main St. in Ouray is under renovation and will be the new home of CIE, the gallery for artist Cie Hoover, also known as half of the folk-rock duo You Knew Me When with his wife, Karisa.
Hoover purchased the building in March for $1.12 million from Matt Genuit, who previously operated Photos of Ouray in the location.
Have news to share about a business changing hands, opening or closing? Email erin@ouraynews.com with tips.
