Deep in the Rocky Mountains, in a little valley in southern Colorado, their stands a simple mining town named Durango. Years have gone by since the coal and mineral collecting industry was at an all-time high but that period has left breadcrumbs of the past, and that’s the bars. Durango, Colorado is known for many things such as its history, architecture, but most abundantly; the bars on main avenue. One bar that is particularly unique compared to the rest is the lofted bar on the corner of main avenue and college drive; the balcony bar and grill.

 

This family bar is owned and kept up by Jeff and Allison Wall who are originally from Dallas, Texas. This business savvy couple met in their teenage years at Highland Park high school in Dallas. After graduating from high school Allison attended Ole Miss University to study Hospitality Management. Once Allison had graduated from college she joined Jeff in Durango where they would get married and end up buying a bar that is now one of the towns most frequented spot by tourists and locals alike. Allison feels that it is the food that makes the Balcony unique, “Of course most would say the outside venue, but now that we have both spaces I would say the food – it is nice to go to a restaurant where everything is made homemade and that we smoke our own meats, and I think that Jeff and I being the owners and working in the restaurant helps quite a bit.” Allison enjoys working alongside her husband because it is easier to make a business successful with a partner alongside. Another unique attribute about the Balcony is the diverse group of employees that Allison can hire.

 

Sarah Pedagno is a waitress at the Balcony who is originally from Seldon, New York and graduated with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Although serving may not be Sarah’s passion she has taken experiences from her previous jobs to help her be one of the best and most asked for waitresses at the bar. Sarah has been a customer service representative for Big Lots and she was also the head of the hardware department at a True Value. Sarah can use her people skills to make every customer happy and satisfied. When I asked her about being in the service industry this is what she had to say, “I enjoy it because I am always meeting new people. I feel like generally food and drink have the power to bring people closer together, plus we have the best view in town!” Sarah’s ability to transfer her previous knowledge of knowing how to deal with people shows how diverse the bar and service industry really are. It’s a job that one could stay with forever or just temporarily.

 

Lastly another important member of the staff is Billy French. Billy is our new general manager at the Balcony and was employed at the Derailed pour house for over 5 years after being asked to join our crew. Billy is one of the most diverse members of the Balcony staff, not because his race or ethnicity but his background. Billy came to Durango to race cross-country for Fort Lewis College but shortly dropped out after figuring out that’s not what he wanted to do. Billy has been a photographer, bike mechanic, and even worked at the rental offices at Purgatory Ski Resort, but now he has condensed his skills into making people happy, full, and a little buzzed every night. The Balcony Bar and Grill is more than just a bar, it’s an experience, it’s a place to open up and meet new people, it’s a place to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful views that Durango should offer, but most of all the Balcony is the starting line to the full Durango experience.