Moonlight Pizza and owners Kyle and Brenna Buskist. Image courtesy of the Central Mountain SBDC.
The Central Mountain Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has announced the success story of Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub (242 F Street, Salida), which it considers a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit in the Colorado mountains.
“We are incredibly proud to support and celebrate the success of Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub. Their journey reminds us that with the right skills and mindset, one’s own success story is achievable,” said Central Mountain SBDC Director Jamie Billesbach. “Their story is a testament to the resilience, community spirit, and entrepreneurial drive that we strive to foster in the Central Mountain region.”
One of Moonlight’s hand-tossed pizzas. Image courtesy of the Central Mountain SBDC.
Moonlight was founded in 1994. The original owners made donuts by day and pizzas in the “moonlight” of the evening hours. With that, a new brand was born. Moonlight’s Pizza, with its commitment to team members, customers, and community, has grown into something more extraordinary than its founders could have imagined.
With its Colorado vibe, Moonlight Pizza is known for its hand-tossed crust style. But, as life in a small mountain town evolves, so did Moonlight. In 2011, “Brewpub” was added to its name. Hand-tossed pizzas paired with freshly brewed beers added to the brand’s growth.
Despite this success, Moonlight like many other businesses in the community was impacted by COVID. The pandemic brought labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, increased expenses, closures, and overall exhaustion.
Partners Kyle and Brenna Buskist turned to the Central Mountain SBDC for guidance in the face of this adversity. As Moonlight found its resilience during challenging times, the Central Mountain SBDC played a role in its continued success.
SBDC consultants provided strategic planning assistance, assisted in navigating the intricacies of a partnership buyout, and collaborated on operational goals. This support extended to the financial realm, with a thorough review of profit and loss statements and margin analysis. The SBDC also supported funding for the buyout, resulting in combined support by local lender Collegiate Peaks Bank and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
The outcome was a successful transition and the birth of a new venture. Moonlight Pizza & Brew Pub emerged as a 50 percent women-owned business, a source of pride for the community, and assisted in retaining 30 full-time and 30 part-time jobs, contributing to the area’s economic vitality.
Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub offers a variety of handcrafted brews on tap. Image courtesy of the Central Mountain SBDC.
Beyond its hand-tossed pizza and business success, Moonlight stands out because of its values. The commitment to freshness is evident in their dough, made in-house daily.
They also make eco-conscious decisions, such as removing plastic straws and serving beverages in glass. This reflects a global perspective. Moonlight’s dedication to sustainability extends to its handmade sodas, served at cellar temps for a full-flavored experience.
Woven into the fabric of Moonlight’s narrative is a commitment to the community that goes beyond the pizza oven and brewing vats. Every Monday they donate 10 percent of their sales to programs in Salida that improve the town.
Upcoming Moonlight Mondays support the community and theater of Colorado TINTS on January 15 and the Salida Montessori Charter School on January 29.
Whether supporting school groups, ski clubs, horse rescue, or the mentor program, Moonlight gives back because, in their words, “it’s the right thing to do.” As they thrive, they continue to uplift the community that has supported them on their journey.
The SBDC says that it holds up Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub as a continued symbol of resilience, community involvement, and the pursuit of dreams in Salida. With their fresh, in-house made dough, eco-friendly practices, and community-centric approach, they embody the spirit of Colorado entrepreneurship.
More information about Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub is available on their website MoonlightPizza.biz.
Courtesy Photo
The Central Mountain SBDC serves Chaffee, Lake, and Park counties. The SBDC strives to empower Colorado businesses to thrive by offering no-cost, confidential consulting (via local consultants and access to statewide mentors), low or no-cost business training and events, and assisting with access to capital.
The SBDC supports Colorado’s entrepreneurs at all stages of business from ideation to startup, expansion, acquisition, and exit, and is dedicated to fostering economic growth and success in the region.
More information on the Central Mountain SBDC along with their events and workshops is available at CentralSBDC.org.
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