Rick Langenberg
Green Mountain Falls continues to shine as a booming spot for culinary, bar and hospitality enhancements.
The GMF trustees recently granted a liquor license to the newest arrival in the town’s food and dining scene: Columbine Pour House. Pending state approval, the Pour House, located across from the swimming pool at 10755 Ute Pass Avenue and operated by Shannon and Bobby Jackson, will be ready for the opening of a much-anticipated new restaurant and spacious bar.
This sets the stage for the revival of the 115-year-old Columbine Lodge and Hotel, which hasn’t seen much life in decades. Bobby Jackson admits he has strong memories of this place growing up in the area. Bobby is the son of legendary photographer Robert H. Jackson, who won a Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1964 for snapping the famous picture of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald at the Dallas police station, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He was working for the Dallas Times Herald back then and later became a photographer for the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. The Pour House owners plan to display some of Robert Jackson’s more modern landscape photos that the public hasn’t seen.
As noted in an announcement on the Columbine Pour House by the project operators: “This (getting the local license approval) is a major milestone, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and believed in us throughout this journey. Your patience, excitement, and kind words have meant more than you know… Once the state issues our license, we’ll be able to serve beer, wine, and cocktails. Until then, we’ll continue preparing for opening and look forward to welcoming you with our handcrafted spirit-free beverages, delicious food, and warm mountain hospitality—because everyone has a seat at Columbine Pour House.”
In fact, the new Columbine Pour House touts the theme: “Small bites. Bold pours. Great company. From craft cocktails to alcohol-free favorites, we celebrate the sour and sweet of life. A welcoming atmosphere where everyone is a neighbor and there’s always a seat at the table.”
The project has stirred much interest in the community due to the facility’s rich history. Plus, its historic bar and spacious outdoor patio are amenities locals and visitors will enjoy.
The Jacksons have put considerable time and energy into fixing up this historic facility. They are well-versed in the culinary and hospitality field.
According to an article in the sidedishschniper.com website, the Jacksons sport a wealth of experience and knowledge in the culinary field Bobby’s has spent time teaching a variety of foundational food classes at the Paragon Culinary School for a decade, where Shannon has provided bar and wine instruction for six years. They both graduated from the school and have also both worked with Chef Victor Matthews, who is now strongly involved in the new Tava House project.
Initially, the Columbine Pour House will start out small with a “simpler” menu, according to Shannon Jackson. In addressing the GMF trustees, she said they would mainly be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a closing time tentatively set for 8 p.m, with more of a focus on serving lunch.
The pending opening of the Columbine Pour House will offer the community yet another gathering spot. The town’s bar and hospitality scene got a boost with the recent opening of the Pine Gables Tavern, featuring a slight remodeling of the former Blue Moose Tavern. The Pine Gables was the original name of this establishment for years. The Gables and next-door neighbor Cantina Verde make an ideal combination.
And on the java scene, plans are moving ahead for the town’s newest shop, Wild & Kind Coffee, formerly known as the Painted Bear, to complete a full-fledged coffee, ice cream and pastry outlet, a service badly needed in the community. They have a separate room designated for the coffee shop area. This business is being run by Mya, Andrea and Trent Chrisman.
