It shouldnt be hard to find exactly what you are looking for at the Dolores Food Market, from fresh, local produce to hand trimmed beef, the small, hometown grocery store has it.
The store stocks everything from couscous to sesame candy. Owners Taz and Linnea Vass say they offer just about anything.
From fresh Feta cheese to homemade pies, you will find it inside the walls of this building.
Still havent found it, well, just ask.
If a customer requests something, we will get it, Linnea said. Sometimes things dont sell and we have to discontinue them, but at least we tried it.
Fifteen years ago, Taz and Linnea Vass bought a little grocery store, at the time owned by Bev and Bill Cattles, on Central Avenue.
The small grocery store with just four employees, including themselves, today has 12 employees and has moved to a much larger store on the corner of Fourth Street and Railroad Avenue and was named the Dolores Chamber of Commerces Business of the Year on April 9.
When receiving the award, Linnea dedicated it to the loyal customers at the store and the employees.
Last year, the store grossed $1.3 million, something Taz credits to customers who appreciated the stores quality of products.
We have friendly, fast service and high quality stuff, price is secondary, Taz said.
In a time when small markets and mom and pop stores are shutting down because of large big box stores, it may be difficult to compete, but Taz said he doesnt think so.
We save people time and gas, he said. I cant compete with everything Walmart does, but we do pretty good.
The business contributes to a wide variety of organizations in the area. Linnea sits on the school board, and Taz formerly sat on the town board.
Taz and Linnea met in 1989 and were married in 1990. They have two daughters: Clare, 11, and Sarah, 13. They said it isnt always easy to work side by side, but they have managed. Taz said he wouldnt have it any other way.
I wouldnt be able to see my family as much if I worked somewhere else, he said.
Taz grew up in Telluride, and Linnea graduated from Cortez High School.
The two said one of their best decisions over the past 15 years was to keep the store open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Sundays can be our busiest days, Linnea said.
Linnea said their small store offers a European shopping experience, and the average ring out is about $12. It is just something you have to try, she said.
The fish is excellent here, she said. I love our meat and produce department and Im proud of the bakery.
Pies are made from scratch. Tamales are made at the store on Tuesdays, and fish is delivered on Fridays. Fresh cookies and pies are baked every day.
And you can also find something else here, an owner who will tell you what he thinks about nearly everything.
Just make sure you have the time because Vass isnt afraid to speak his mind, something that has earned him a reputation in town.
Weve taken out ads proclaiming him the town grump, Linnea joked recently.
I wont hold my tongue, he said.
