Feel like a nice outdoor picnic but don’t want to do all the prep work?
That’s where Durango Picnic Co. comes to the rescue. The new company offers pop-up picnic experiences and private picnic packages in the Durango area.
“I really wanted to use this as a way to create community and connect more with locals,” said Durango Picnic Co. owner Alexis Saghie. “I wanted to create something that was community-oriented.”
Saghie said many of the products available in the baskets will come from local businesses. Things like local wines and baked goods will be a part of the picnic.
More than just a picnic, Durango Picnic Co. plans to hold art workshops at its events where those in attendance can follow along in crafting or painting something.
“We want to do things like paint and sip workshops where local artists can teach a paint class on the picnic table, and have local wine,” Saghie said.
Saghie said she got the idea for Durango Picnic Co. from picnic experiences she noticed were available and popular in larger cities, and felt those experiences would fit well in Durango.
“I feel like our community is growing, and something new is always fun,” she said.
Durango Picnic Co. is working with the city of Durango to get permits for upcoming pop-up events at local parks. Saghie said she is also working with the Bureau of Land Management to hold picnics in the mountains.
“For the picnic baskets that we’re doing, they’re a very to-go situation,” she said. “So instead of us creating a picnic pop-up, it’ll be a basket that you can take on a hike or bike ride. Inside we’ll have a blanket, napkins, silverware, plates and cups. Everything you need.”
Cost of picnic baskets vary depending on what add-ons are chosen for an individual basket. The Intimate Picnic Package, made for two, starts at $275 for two hours, Saghie said. The Celebrate Package starts at $350, she said. The Celebrate Package is for two people, but additional picnickers can be added for $20 a person up to 20 people.
“The Intimate Picnic Package can be for couples looking to plan a night out, where the Celebrate Package is more for people who want to throw birthday parties or baby showers, or even just something fun to do,” she said.
Pricing will fluctuate for the workshops and pop-up picnics that Durango Picnic Co. plans to offer depending on the event, Saghie said.
“There’s going to be price points for more high-end evenings, but there will also be price points that are more affordable,” she said.
Saghie said people have been reaching out to use Durango Picnic Co. for elopement or wedding engagements as well.
As the weather warms, she hopes to host events such as movie night picnics at local parks.
Saghie thought the business would be more seasonal because of the snow Durango gets in the winter, but she’s already had customers hold indoor picnics on snowy days.
Residents may know Saghie from her other local business, Farm to Fingers Grazing, a service that crafts and sells charcuterie boards.
A few months before starting Durango Picnic Co., she started bottling her chimichurri and romanesco sauces that she uses with her charcuterie boards.
njohnson@durangoherald.com
