By Marilyn Bromberg
Celebrating 50 Years in the Neighborhood
The adage ‘like father like son’ has an especially sweet ring to it when the success of the son not only mirrors but also magnifies the achievements of the dad. In the case of Mayfair Liquors two generations of the Noller family prove that customer service, information and value are the proven means to longevity and loyalty among the residents of east Denver.
“What I like about the business is the interaction with my customers,” says Thom Noller, business owner and son of Melvin “Bud” Noller who bought the store 50 years ago. “I don’t think about service in terms of ‘what can I sell,’ but rather, what can I do to that will make the occasion truly special for that person.” It’s that servant-like attitude, and a strong sense of position in the marketplace that have spelled growth and success since the business first opened on March 16, 1959.
History begins
The liquor business was truly an unlikely venture for the senior Noller from Warren, Illinois. The move to Denver, precipitated by the need to change climates for his wife’s health and with three kids in tow, meant leaving a thriving grocery business in the small farming community near where he’d grown up. Boldly, he scouted out business opportunities in his new hometown, and found a liquor store located adjacent to the King Soopers, then on the north side of 14th Street. “Dad worked fourteen hours a day, six days a week to pay off the store,” recalls Thom, and in 1973, when King Soopers decided to expand, Mayfair Liquors moved, too, this time to the Mayfair North Center (location of the current 14th Street Liquors). Thom’s brother, Jon, started to work for his dad, and began to cultivate an image that would differentiate the store to this day.
By the late 1970s, the liquor business was beginning to undergo some fairly radical and exciting changes. At a time when “beer” was synonymous with names like Budweiser, Coors and Miller, “micro-brew” or “craft” breweries like New Belgium and Breckenridge began to challenge the palates of Americans with new, fresh flavors and a truly local taste. A similar revolution was occurring in the wine aisles, a trend captured when Jon introduced wines that offered more variety than standby favorites of the time like Paul Masson and Manischewitz.
Second Generation
In 1977, Bud Noller retired, and Thom joined the business. But, it wasn’t until after his Dad’s death in 1993 that the concept of “ownership” really hit him. “I realized then that the store really was mine, and not my dad’s anymore,” recalls Thom who now owns the store with his wife, Cris. “Whatever was going to become of Mayfair Liquors was truly up to me.” In 1988, construction on the newly expanding King Soopers at its current location at 14th and Kearney—and the building now occupied by Mayfair Liquors—commenced.
Today, Mayfair Liquors boasts three times the space devoted to the sales floor and a beer cooler that’s twice as large as their previous location. And, despite ever-changing regulations (e.g., the possible repeal of the 3.2 beer restriction in grocery stores) that challenge the viability of small stores like Mayfair Liquors, sales remain healthy as Thom and the team of 15 full- and part-time employees stay busy meeting the needs of a loyal following of customers who like the store’s personalized service. More than that, customers respond to the business’ commitment to more than just the bottom line.
“We choose to donate to the organizations that my customers support,” says Thom. “Beyond just goodwill, it’s a way to say ‘thank you’ to the community for their business and loyalty to us.” Wine tastings at Solera Restaurant and other locations for non-profit groups, church and school fundraisers and auctions, and merchandise or cash donations to charitable groups such as Food Bank of the Rockies, Gateway Battered Women’s Services, Bluff Lake Nature Center, City Park Jazz, and Junior ARC, are just some of the causes that Mayfair Liquors has supported.
With neighbors like that, Mayfair will be enjoying a great business partner and neighbor for years to come.
By Elizabeth Lewis
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), an organization that helps small business owners, states that small and home-based businesses are the fastest growing part of the U.S. economy. If you are thinking about becoming a small business owner, the following are just some of the things you should start doing:
Starting a business is exciting. However, business owners need to make sure they are prepared to run a business. Having the proper team, a business plan, and a good structure can help lead you down the path of success to become part of U.S. economic recovery!
By Marilyn Bromberg
There’s a saying that claims if you scratch a dog, you’ll find a permanent job. Based on the early success of Barkly Manor (open since October 2008), canine daycare, boarding, and training can lead to a thriving livelihood, too. It was such conviction that prompted co-owners Kimberly Arnold and Shawn Bumiller, and their friend and the Manor’s manager and trainer Kellie Murphy to leave their long-time homes in New Jersey for the promise of doing what they really loved: being with dogs. “So many people in Denver are from back East,” says Kim. “They like that we moved here to start our business.”
As any dog owner knows, it’s not enough to leave your dog just anywhere. The place must meet the proverbial ‘sniff test’—for dogs and owners. With all three people on site during the day, Barkly offers a person-to-dog ratio that exceeds state requirements. Second, the staff is completely dog first aid and CPR certified. And, with Kellie, Barkly has a veterinary technician and one of the area’s few certified pet dog trainers on staff, as well.
In fact, training is one of the key services offered to Barkly’s clients, and they provide a full array of options from basic obedience and socialization to tricks in a group setting. “We also work a lot with puppies in the eight to 22 week old range,” says Kellie, noting that basics like crate training is just one of the useful skills that the youngsters learn at Barkly.
Of course, you can’t talk about Barkly Manor without mention of Hudson, the resident German Shepherd and Chief Dog Operator. The ‘grand old man’ is a certified therapy dog who has earned retirement, but continues to be a champion role model for the fellow canines who come to visit every day. Like Barkly’s owners, Hudson makes it his business to know everybody that comes through the door--just the kind of personal attention that is making Barkly Manor the neighborhood choice for dogs and their people.
Barkly Manor
5010 E. Colfax Ave.
303-997-6498
www.barklymanor.com
By Mike Nelson
With the vast availability of Mexican food around town, you might overlook the Taco Exchange, but you’ll be surprised at what you’ve been missing. Located just east of National Jewish on Colfax avenue, the Taco Exchange has been providing family-made Mexican food for several years. My family and I have eaten there several times, and have never walked away disappointed. The dining area is quite small, just a few tables, but it seems like most of their business is done by take-out or delivery.
The adults in our party each had one of their combination specials, which range in price from $5.50 to $7.50. Trust me when I say that any of these makes a full meal in itself. Our dinner for four, which was served with a smile and in timely fashion, included a round of “exotic” sodas and came to just over $30. You can’t beat that. You can also get tacos, tostadas, burritos, tamales, chili rellenos, enchiladas, and a few other items that most would consider standard Mexican restaurant fare. But, like I’ve said before, food always seems to taste a little better when served at a locally-owned, family-operated establishment, and that’s definitely the case with the Taco Exchange.
I know the economy is rough, but give these folks a try. We all need to help out our neighborhood businesses. I just noticed that the “Spin’n Chicken” seems to have closed (maybe I’m wrong, but the “for sale” sign in the window tells the tale), so that makes yet another independent restaurant that’s only a memory.
Taco Exchange
4122 E. Colfax.
303-780-0033.
Open Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Menu is online at www.ufeedme.com/tacoexchange
Another Dining Option
By the way, if you’re looking for a dining experience that’s a little more upscale, try the new “9th Avenue grill” at 9th and Jersey. This old favorite has re-opened under new management with a new menu and a new style. We’ve eaten there a couple of times, and were very impressed. The daily food specials are terrific and happy hour runs until 6:00 p.m.
