It feels like an original Ouray mining house fused with an antique showroom. A refurbished wooden sliding door conceals the kitchen, an old-school storefront sign reading Smith-Strand & Co. hangs over the room and restrooms look like a mini barn house, decorated with a stained glass panel.
And it serves saucy eggs Benedict and beer-mosas.
Owners Allison Strand and Lance Smith are opening Cassidy’s Cafe & Antiques — a farm-to-antique-table joint, centered on brunch — in July at the former Sauvage Spectrum space at 480 Main St. in Ouray.
Decor and menu inspiration for the new eatery largely come from the couple’s original restaurant in San Diego, California — Nate’s Garden Grill — which they’ve run for the past 13 years. The couple came from the southern California city to Ouray County eight years ago after the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, when their road trip home was stifled by a heat wave. During the extended stay, they stumbled upon an irresistible historic home for sale in town.
“I love anything old,” said Smith, who has a background in restoration and construction and is hooked on antique wares.
They chose to move to the area to raise their four children, while continuing to operate the California restaurant from afar and stewing on the idea of opening a restaurant in Ouray.
So when the chance to rent a space in the Wright Opera House building opened up, Smith couldn’t forgo the opportunity at the historic location. They decided to name it after their eldest son, 11-year-old Cassidy, who will help deliver food to tables when they open.
Smith has designed the space using his collection of antiques, while “bringing a bit of the history of Ouray.”
He said he’s taking his time to get
everything right, because he can’t bring himself to cut corners when it comes to the beautiful, old building.
But unlike their California spot, Cassidy’s Café will not only be furnished with antique items but will also serve as a storefront, selling items such as a coffee maker from the 1800s, or an 18th- century Dutch hutch.
As far as the menu goes, Smith said the restaurant is leaning into their biggest success in California: fromscratch brunch, such as smoked salmon sandwiches. When signing the lease for the restaurant, Smith and Strand also decided to rent the above apartment unit to help bring in a chef.
Though local Colorado farms are more seasonally limited than in California, Smith said they’re aiming to source as much as they can within the region.
They expect to open for brunch in July from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and hope to launch a dinner menu shortly after. For more information, email info@cassidyscafeouray.com.
