Meet Rainbow Shultz | Chef/Owner of The Jamestown Mercantile Cafe

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

Hi Rainbow, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I first walked through the doors of this 130 year old building, I felt a shift, I knew it was a special place for me. I was inspired at the opportunity to own the cafe because I could work on all of my favorite goals at the same time: celebrating community, being creative with food, offering a gathering place for my friends and neighbors and being able to constantly learn and evolve, not only by offering classes at the cafe but by trying different things as a business owner and learning what would work or not. Also, (and likely most importantly) I wanted to find work that was meaningful AND flexible. Owning a cafe meant that I could raise kids at the same time, and no matter how chaotic, that work and parenting would be on my terms.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our art at The Merc is the art of the family celebration. We love to walk the very fine line that is creating a really comfortable space but surprising all of our guests with amazing, lovingly created meals. Making food is such an incredible art form because it is created with inspiration and then immediately destroyed during its appreciation. The art of cooking depends on a true belief in living in the present, in appreciating moments, in sharing experiences. We love to put on our fancy outfits a few times a year and dress up the cafe for expensive five course meals, to raise money or to celebrate weddings, or to celebrate partnerships with other local purveyors, but usually, The Merc is a place where absolutely anyone can feel comfortable. It is a business built on loving the weirdos, the outsiders, the mountain feral and unique. It is one of the few places where children can run wild, old folks can exchange tips on living, pirates can enjoy breakfast and we can all enjoy amazing live music and real quality meals together. We work with local farms, bakeries, our one local Jamestown Kombucha business, Juliens Cliffhouse, to make beautiful meals, but being free to be ourselves here is most important to the party.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here in the mountains on the West Side of Boulder County, there are so many hidden beautiful places to visit. I love to check the music schedules of both the Gold Hill Store and the Gold Hill Inn, both minutes from Jamestown and both which offer such warm and unique atmospheres. Either place can be so fun to see live music at and enjoy their awesome mountain vibe. We also love to head West up the hill from Jamestown to hike and swim at the Cerain St. Vrain trail, play a game of pool at The Millsite and hike at Brainard Lake. Or head North to Lyons to see live music in the summer at Planet Bluegrass or play in the river or grab a beer on Main St. In Jamestown, besides hanging at The Merc, the best day of the year is the Fourth of July. We have the best party in America, from our pancake breakfast, to our tiny parade, to the outrageous wood splitting contest, we have music from dawn until way past dusk and we raise money for our awesome volunteer fire department.

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?
Joey Howlett. Joey is whom I bought The Merc from 13 years ago and was an inspiring friend and mentor to myself and everyone who knew him. He was an unlikely cafe owner, definitely not a fan of cooking or even that interested in eating, but when he inherited the cafe from his ex-wife, he brought the love and generosity that is the most important aspect to owning any business. The Merc was run nearly entirely on credit, no one ever paid on time, and anyone or everyone was welcome to eat now and pay whenever. Joey was a wild man in his younger years and relished having a place that accepted all types of different folks. He was adamant that no on ever need to buy something to use the bathroom. He never locked doors to anything. His trust and generosity to humanity made me really inspired that business ownership could be a force for good and kindness in the world. He was killed in the flood that devastated our tiny town in 2013, but his legacy of irreverent fun and authentic kindness lives on.

Website: www.jamestownmercantile.com

Instagram: @jamestown_mercantile

Facebook: Jamestown Mercantile

Other: Also feel free to email with questions! jamestownmercantilecafe@gmail.com

Image Credits
George Blosser Denver Nosh Sal DeVincenzo