War Wizard Games is a shop located upstairs in BV Square. They sell a variety of games, host game demos, and put on events like Magic and Dungeons and Dragons nights. Photo by Carly Winchell.
The landscape of Buena Vista has been changing rapidly over the last few years. For those new in town, or those who simply can’t keep up, Ark Valley Voice compiled a list of some of the notable new, newish, and relocated businesses to help keep track.
War Wizard Games (301 East Main Street, Suite 235)
War Wizard Games is a new game shop located upstairs in BV Square. In addition to selling a wide variety of games, War Wizard has space where customers can pay to come in and play one of the owner’s many games.
War Wizard Games sign as seen from Main Street. Photo by Carly Winchell.
The store also hosts events, including recurring Magic: The Gathering Night from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Dungeons and Dragons Open Play Night from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays.
The store’s current hours as listed on their website calendar are 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
However, the hours can vary somewhat. War Wizard displays events and store open hours on their website’s event page.
The store’s unique setups allows people to open and see what the game looks like and even to learn to play from owner Jay Williams (AKA War Wizard) himself. Williams has been playing board and computer games for forty years, starting with Avalon Hill games, such as Blitzkrieg, Diplomacy, and Civilization.
Williams also follows the latest games on Kickstarter and Gamefound, and the store’s inventory reflects those unique tastes.
“I don’t sell anything I wouldn’t play myself,” said Williams during one visit to the store. His knowledge of each game in his catalog is extensive, and he can provide custom recommendations based on a customer’s particular interests or tastes in games.
After a visit as a customer, this reporter can confirm that William’s recommendations are spot on. After purchasing a copy of Set a Watch: Swords of the Coin that he recommended, the game (which functions well as a compact, solo or multiplayer experience) was thoroughly enjoyed.
War Wizard Games has a catalog of games for sale online in addition to availability in-store.
Dragon Sushi Bar (328 Charles Street)
Dragon Sushi Bar sits just off of Highway 24 in Buena Vista. Photo by Jeannette Winchell.
Open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays (closed on Tuesdays), Dragon Sushi Bar serves up exactly what its name implies. Sushi.
With a limited menu that features appetizers, salads, rolls, and sashimi, Dragon Sushi keeps their menu streamlined. There are vegan options and bento lunch boxes also available.
Dragon Sushi Bar offers in-person and carry out dining options. Customers can view the menu and order carry out online.
Main Street Tavern (308 and 310 East Main Street)
Main Street Tavern is open from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday. It features beers on tap, wine, classic cocktails, and a small bites menu. Happy Hour specials run from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The sports bar contains eight televisions, at least eight beers on tap, and has pool, darts, or shuffleboard for customers to play.
Their website states that Tavern trivia, art pop up events, and a music line up will be “coming soon.”
Stacey’s Java and Juice Bar (415 U.S. Highway 24)
Stacey’s Java and Juice Bar. Image courtesy of Google Reviews.
Stacey’s Java and Juice Bar is located inside the LaGree’s grocery store. Stacey’s is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day of the week.
The menu offers a variety of coffee drinks, such as cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, cold brew, and a brown sugar shaken espresso. Hot chocolate is one of Stacey’s specialties.
In addition to coffee, Stacey’s offers a variety of teas, fresh juices that can be customized to order, and smoothies to cover a variety of drink preferences.
Stacey’s boasts 5 stars on Google reviews at the time of writing.
Julio’s Tacos (549 Highway 24)
Julio’s Tacos is located near Car Wash and the Burrito Fusion trailer off of Highway 24 on the south side of Buena Vista. Photo by Carly Winchell.
Julio’s Tacos is a new food truck located near the Car Wash across Highway 24 from City Market. It’s open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Julio’s Tacos boasts 12 different types of tacos. They also offer a wide variety of other food, including burritos, quesadillas, appetizers, breakfast burritos, burgers, salads, tortas, fajitas, plates, and Posole and Menudo (on Fridays and Saturdays). On top of the savory options, Julio’s offers desserts, such as choco- banana, flan, churros, sopapillas, cheesecake, and fried ice cream. This author’s particular favorite is the birria plate.
Julio’s Tacos offers 15 percent discounts for teachers, veterans, and first responders upon showing ID.
Grumpy’s Breakfast Takeaway (107 Highway 24)
This breakfast food truck is located on the corner of Main and U.S. 24. Open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, Grumpy’s offers made-to-order breakfast sandwiches.
“Hours subject to change based on Chef’s mood,” states their Instagram bio.
Masa food truck tucked in near The Slammer. Image courtesy of @MasaBVCO on Instagram.
Masa (412 East Main Street)
Masa is a taco truck that is located between The Slammer and Louie’s Ice Cream on East Main Street. The truck can be difficult to spot from the sidewalk.
Updates on their hours are posted on their Instagram account, MasaBVCO.
According to their post, Masa uses heirloom single-origin masa harina and hand presses each tortilla. Meats are sourced locally.
The menu keeps things simple with just a few options and specials that change over time.
Cholaos Colombia
Image courtesy of Marichi Carbajal Finn on What’s Happening in Buena Vista.
Cholaos Colombia offers cholaos, empanadas, and creamy popsicles. They are located in the red building across from City Market and are open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Cholados are a Colombian-style shaved ice treat with fruit.
Information about the business is not plentiful online, but they have posted multiple times in the Facebook group, “What’s Happening in Buena Vista”.
Coyote Mezcalería y Cervecería (801 Front Loop Unit 1A)
Coyote Mezcaleria shares space with Black Burro Bikes in South Main and offers drinks and small bites.
“Coyote, a figure woven into the fabric of Mexican folklore, symbolizes cunning, adaptability, and a connection to the untamed wilderness. Our mezcalería y cervecería takes inspiration from this enigmatic creature, inviting you to heed the call of adventure and explore the diverse world of spirits and brews,” states a post on the business’ Instagram.
Coyote Mezcalería y Cervecería is open from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Blueflower Candies and Provisions (105 South Court), Cool River (505 East Main), Chocolatté (505 East Main), and Hi-Lonesome Boutique (505 East Main)
Hi-Lonesome, Chocolatté, and Cool River are located in the same building while Blueflower is just around the corner in the La Vista complex on East Main Street in Buena Vista. Photo by Carly Winchell
While not brand new this year, these shops are fairly recent to the business scene in BV. All four are located just across the street from the Buena Vista Heritage Museum.
Blueflower is open 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. They offer a variety of candy, toys, and merchandise related to their “I’m Done Peopling” line. They also have locations in Leadville and Salida.
Cool River is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. They offer coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The franchise began in Breckenridge.
Chocolatté is open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day. This dessert shop offers coffee, ice cream, smoothies, and various other sweet treats as well as an indoor play area for children.
Hi-Lonesome is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. This store offers handpicked wares with a “desert mountain vibe.”
CKS River Supply and Buena Viking
CKS River Supply and Buena Viking
embarked on a joint venture. After building two new buildings with a connected courtyard, the pair of iconic Buena Vista businesses have officially relocated.
CKS is now at 426 East Main while the Viking is located next door at 418 East Main.
Souled Out T-Shirts (327 East Main)
While not a new business, Souled Out has moved to a new location in the building that was previously occupied by CKS Main Street.
Souled Out is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Once Upon a Trapeze (301 East Main Street #105)
Once Upon a Trapeze has relocated from its previous location in the back of BV Square to a new spot right on Main Street near The Blend.
The store sells books, art, trinkets, and baubles. Their summer hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
Uniquely Dunne Art (413 East Main)
Uniquely Dunne Art sticker featuring their iconic steampunk cat logo. Photo by Carly Winchell.
Uniquely Dunne Art is currently in the process of remodeling their location on Main Street. While the business is not yet open, their Steampunk-style logo featuring a cat posted in the window is catching the attention of those passing by.
Update: Uniquely Dunne Art is open as of Saturday, June 29. They sell unique art pieces, apparel, and other items with artistic character.
Ark Valley Voice sought to capture some of the more notable changes in BV’s business landscape this year but may not have been able to identify them all. If a favorite new business has not been included on this list, comment on this article below to let AVV readers know.
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