A new program will celebrate longtime Steamboat Springs businesses that are woven into the historic nature of the city’s downtown area and have contributed to the culture of our community in significant ways.

The new Steamboat Springs Legacy Business Program is a joint effort between the city of Steamboat Springs and Main Street Steamboat Springs, and will recognize many of our town’s long-standing businesses.

“We take pride as a community in our downtown,” said Lisa Popovich, executive director with Main Street Steamboat Springs. “We want to recognize those businesses that have been here and kept our community going.”

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Popovich cited examples such as F.M. Light & Sons, Johnny B. Good’s Diner, Winona’s, Straightline Outdoor Sports, Lyon’s Corner Drug, Central Park Liquors, Gondola Pub & Grill, Allen’s, Homesteader, Backdoor Sports, The Shack and others on a long list of qualified candidates.

She said these long-standing institutions help shape the character of Steamboat Springs and provide jobs, products and revenue that directly benefit the area economy, recreational pursuits and local heritage and culture.

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“Local businesses are the heart and soul of our community,” said Caitlin Berube-Smith, historic preservation planner. “This new program follows suit with almost 30 other municipalities across the nation recognizing the importance in retaining long-standing business operations.”

She added that seven local businesses had already filled out an application in less than 24 hours.

The eager beavers included Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, Shear Performance, Amaze’n Steamboat Family Fun Park, Wild Horse Gallery, Old Town Hot Springs and the Steamboat Ski Touring Center.

The program is modeled after other U.S. cities that have similar programs, and each of those are also rooted in the preservation of our culture and history as well.

That criteria includes providing community service with local and societal impact; contributing to the history, heritage, culture and legacy of Steamboat Springs; operating within Steamboat Springs for 25 years or more, and continuing a long-standing tradition within the community or neighborhood.

“Me sitting in a room with a couple of people going, ‘Yeah, I think this person qualifies’ isn’t nearly as effective as someone raising their hand and saying, ‘We qualify’,” Popovich said. “This will help lighten the list a little bit. If people will apply, so that we get their information, it’s just a quicker way to do it than for me to walk door-to-door.”

Berube-Smith said the Legacy Business Program aims to honor and empower owners and staff of local businesses that the community continues to support and value. The longer vision it that the program can grow in a way to provide tangible financial assistance to longtime businesses in our community.  

“The goal of the program is to raise it to the level of some of the other programs that we’re seeing at the national level, where funding is raised from financial sponsors, but also from government grants to foundational grants and to actually provide tangible financial assistance to employees, and potentially funds for building restoration maintenance,” Berube-Smith said.

She added that the concept could even go further and be used for attainable and affordable housing, to provide a health care stipend or toward retaining workforce and providing other support that will allow businesses to stay afloat in changing socioeconomic times.

“If you look at the entire city, there are so many businesses that we, as a community, should be proud of — especially when our economy is so based on tourism,” Popovich said. “There are these long-standing businesses that have contributed to the growth and success of Steamboat Springs and they deserve to be recognized.”

To join the inaugural program as an official Steamboat Springs Legacy Business, visit forms.office.com/g/864GJNgah0 to fill out a survey and determine if your business meets the criteria.