Meet Lori Hughes | Chief Spoon Licker, Business Adventurer, and Sass-a-frass

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lori, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Community is the most important factor behind the success of my business. I emphasize community building above all else. I insist my employees get to know our customers, dish out the sass, make them laugh – or think and most of all: learn their names,

I regularly host small craft fairs, art exhibits, etc. I don’t charge fees to vendors. The purpose in doing these events is to offer an outlet to the creatives in our area, and to draw in new customers for myself, but not to make money off the vendors.

I have a small event venue above my shop. I charge a nominal fee – or do the catering for the event in lieu. I see this more as an opportunity to bring in new customers than as a secondary income stream.

All of this has contributed to a reputation as business that cares about the community first, tied only with providing a quality product. For this reason, our customers are loyal and love to brag about this hidden gem they’re “in the know” of. Profits are a natural conclusion.

Plus, this community stuff keeps it fun for us!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the age of 26yo, I found myself as a mother-of-two, divorced woman who hadn’t finished college, much less started a career. I spent a few years living paycheck-to-paycheck and feeling generally frustrated with my station in life. With my Granny Kane’s voice in my head, I decided I could – and would – shake things up. During the summer of 2000, packed up my young kids and moved from the Texas Hill Country to Colorado – where I knew no one. That challenge conquered, I decided to finish college and attend law school (Go Buffs!). That challenge conquered, I went on to spend twelve years as an attorney. Boring!

By the end of 2018, I could no longer push back my need for a new challenge. I decided to start my own retail business in my local community of Mead. Covid set up many roadblocks. Because I was not “open for business” prior to Covid, I was not eligible for any of the government Covid resources other restaurants and grocers received, the local health department was preoccupied and slow to act on my plans, etc… but rent and utilities and construction costs continued to roll in.

I persisted – as Granny Kane raised me to do – and I opened my butcher shop and deli in November 2021. The local community embraced us and the word has spread to neighboring communities. And our reputation continues to expand.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When I have out-of-state visitors, which, as a Coloradan, I have many, I like to take them to Pearl Street in Boulder. The mountains rising in the background, the buskers, and “Into the Wind” are can’t miss sights and so close.

My second “must-see/do” is to go the Ned and show folks the famous Tuff Shed shrine, get coffee and sweets from Train Cars Coffee and Yogurt, and drive the beautiful Peak-to-Peak.

Finally, there are two dispensaries I insist on taking adult visitors to: “The Farm” in Boulder and “Nature’s of Millikin” in, you guessed it, Millikin. They are such great examples of how mainstream the marijuana industry can be. Both are so comfortable and welcoming to those who are “pot-curious.” And the architecture of “Nature’s” is beautiful.

For a mountain experience, I take visitors to Estes Park for a day trip and to Leadville for an overnight trip, especially in September when the aspens are turning, in the Summer when the Front Range hits 90 degrees, and in the Winter when our Texas visitors want to see snow “in real life..”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Granny Kane is who I owe all this to. She instilled in me my perseverance, adventurousness, fearlessness with food experimentation, and the sass I am so known for. I wish she were here to today to help wash all these dishes!

Now that I’m open, I give a shout out to my staff: Miguel Gallardo, Eva Mosqueda, Brittany Deutsch, Jackie Paz, Jordyn Reeves, Natalee Anderson, Gavin McHenry, Brayden Goodrich, Daniel Wurth, Toryn Mayo, Marshall Madrid and our head Butcher and Sausage Maker with the best meat and recipes: Kory Hanson. They are each instrumental in building our reputation, our ambiance, our great food items, and they keep me entertained.

Finally, a shout out to our Official Mascot; Waldo. He’s our emotional support sheep-a-doodle.

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The Merc Staff