The Smiley Cafe, located in the historic Smiley Building at 1309 East Third Ave., has been handed off to new owners after six years of leadership by former owner Grant Andrew.
Bonnie Boggiano and her parents took over ownership in early January, and renamed the shop Blue Wing Coffee.
Boggiano has a laundry list of new initiatives and ideas for the business – but maintaining the cafe’s “Durango energy” and affinity for connection is at the core of her vision.
“We want to provide a place that feels clean, but cozy,” she said. “... We want to offer a third space for everyone.”
Boggiano’s parents – her father, Beto, and her mother, who preferred her name not be shared – are longtime Durango residents. Boggiano previously lived in Durango and found her way back after stints in Texas and on the Front Range.
She has dreamed of opening a business with her parents for years, she said, and when the space in the Smiley Building went up for sale, the three jumped at the opportunity.
“We were looking for different locations, and we heard this (spot was open),” she said. “And we think this is the heart of Durango.”
Boggiano declined to share the cost of the sale.
Some of her top priorities include bringing in musicians to perform in the space and experimenting with staying open later – possibly until 8 or 9 p.m. – to provide a safe evening hangout for residents and visitors.
Boggiano said additional plans are in the works, but she’s keeping those under wraps for now.
“We are making improvements daily with every aspect of the business,” she said.
The name of the shop is a nod to Boggiano and her father’s shared love of fly fishing, she said.
“Blue Winged Olive is a fly,” she said. “It’s one of the first ones I tied. My dad hand-makes fishing rods, and I tie flies. So, it’s kind of perfect.”
Boggiano said she isn’t nervous about the cafe finding success in Durango’s at times difficult small-business economy.
“I was always told, if you are following your passions, and you're doing right by people, you're going to be all right,” she said. “... I think it's always worth the risk if you’re doing something that you believe is good – has good potential.”
Taking care of the staff – all of whom stayed on after the sale – is a core priority, she said.
“Hearing (the baristas) say positive things has meant the world, because they're my most important priority,” she said. “… Creating a cool place to work where you feel like you have a voice and you're respected (is important).”
Some of the offerings at the cafe, which was known for being almost entirely gluten-free under Andrew’s leadership, have changed under the new ownership.
The new drink menu appeared in April somewhat similar to the previous one, with offerings in the realm of basic coffee drinks, tea, several boba choices, four smoothies and a handful of specialty drink options. The previous menu included several more specialty drinks and boba offerings, a veggie smoothie and hot chocolate.
The cafe has begun the process of roasting, grinding and brewing its own coffee in-house, Boggiano said.
Food at the cafe was previously made by hand by the former owner.
Now, the cafe sources its baked goods and food from local vendors, including the Durango Natural Foods Co-Op and Odd Bird Baking Co. Five of the 12 items available are gluten free.
Baked goods, which cost between $3.95 and $5.80, include brownies, cookies, an almond poppy loaf and a few unique items like a Persian love cake and an orange blossom, almond and olive oil cake.
Other food offerings, which range in price from $6.50 to $9.75, include veggie burritos – one of which is gluten free – a focaccia, cheddar and fig grilled cheese, and a green chile and cheddar quiche.
“We want to provide the best products we possibly can, so that does probably mean maybe a little more of a limited menu,” Boggiano said. “We'll be making our own food in-house after we do some construction.”
The Smiley Cafe has changed hands several times in recent years. Original owner Karili Cavanaugh turned the business over to Carrie Hladik and Franci Stagi in 2016, and Andrew took over in 2020.
Andrew told The Durango Herald the decision to sell came from a desire to move on to new ventures.
“Smiley Cafe was an unexpected detour that lasted longer than anticipated, and I will forever be grateful for the experience and this amazing community,” he said in a LinkedIn message to the Herald.
“… I so appreciate the support of the Durango community through the last 6-plus years – so many customers who became friends, so many people helped make the Smiley Cafe a beautiful and supportive community, and so many great team members who put energy and passion into their work,” he said.
Boggiano called the cafe a “means for connection.”
“Anything that promotes the community and keeps Durango Durango, and keeps the heart (of the city) here … that's the big thing,” she said.
epond@durangoherald.com
