Meet Susan Ganter | Owner & Co-Founder of The Golden Mill
We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Ganter and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Susan, how do you think about risk?
“Don’t overthink it” is always my go-to advice. Risks are inevitable in life and in business and if you think too hard about what could go wrong, you’ll never take that chance. I have always found that in my life, when an opportunity arises, it’s the one that excites me and inspires me that I immediately say yes to; and so far, I have never regretted that decision. When the Golden Mill feed store was for sale back in 2018, we knew it was an old building with great character and you couldn’t beat the location, right on Clear Creek in downtown Golden. When my husband and I were approached by a friend who wanted us to purchase the building with him, we just said yes, and we will figure out what we’re going to do with it later. Now it’s a thriving food and hall and social gathering place for all to enjoy and we couldn’t be prouder of it.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Golden Mill is a local food hall that brings people together to share a laugh, a drink, good food; and the best part – and what I’m most proud of – it gives people the opportunity to be part of a community.
The thing that most sets The Golden Mill apart from others is the welcoming vibe and come-as-you-are attitude of our staff and our guests. We are a hospitality-driven culture, where the needs of the guest always come first. We’re continuously investing in the guest experience, and we want to become an institution in Golden. Large groups can gather without a reservation and know that there are enough food and drink options to accommodate everyone. We welcome people from all walks of life and of all ages. We are truly a community gathering place, and I love the fact that you may run into someone you know at the self-pour wall or meet someone visiting from as far away as London.
I want people to be inspired by our story – if you have a vision, make it happen; don’t be afraid to take chances. I also want people to look at The Golden Mill and understand the importance of preserving history and the impact of repurposing old and unused spaces for the community to enjoy.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
White Ranch Open space is about 20 minutes outside Golden and is my favorite place to go hiking. With miles of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails and views that span from Golden’s North Table Mountain all the way to the Flatirons in Boulder and Denver to the east, it is the most spectacular setting. Bring a picnic lunch or dinner and enjoy the views from the top.
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?
John Boyle. John was the last owner of the Golden Mill before we purchased it from him. When John listed the property for sale, a couple of us locals knew what a special place this was and we were determined to preserve the building and its history. My husband Wes stopped by the Golden Mill one day, after we had placed an offer, and explained to John what our vision for the space was – a community gathering place for all. John took a chance on us, even though he received higher bids, and I am so proud to say that John has been back to visit, and when he did, he was so moved by what we had done that he actually teared up.
Website: www.thegoldenmill.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_golden_mill/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-golden-mill/about/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoldenmillcolorado
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-golden-mill-golden
Image Credits
Courtesy of The Golden Mill.
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
