For Maureen McCann, a lost job turned into a dream opportunity.
The Estes Park resident moved from Loveland to the mountains for a job at the hotel/conference center. She’d always wanted to live in Estes Park, and the job seemed like a natural fit. But, just months later, she was furloughed. Feeling disappointed and unsure of what to do next, she began searching for new business opportunities.
It’s then that she learned The Mad Moose was for sale. McCann had dreamed about owning a shop in town and has been a customer of The Mad Moose for years, stopping by whenever she was visiting.
“I love the name and the mountain furnishings and specialty cabin and camping items you can’t find in the downtown retail shops,” McCann says.
The opportunity was too good to pass up. She bought the store along with partner Chris Tedford, John Floeter, and her sister Judy Floeter.
The new owners immediately went to work creating a more open floor plan with displays showcasing the rustic furniture and how each item can fit in the home. McCann says the inventory will include many of the specialty merchandise that customers have loved for nearly 20 years.
The Mad Moose sells unique lamps, original art, furniture, and other home furnishings and décor, ideal for a mountain home or cozy cabin. And, of course, you can find plenty of whimsical moose items that you won’t find anywhere else, except at The Mad Moose.
Much of the artwork and products in the store come from local artists and craftspeople, McCann says, as well as manufacturers in nearby states. Mad Moose candy comes from a Colorado-based company. In addition, The Mad Moose is actively seeking and sourcing specialty products from small independent retailers such as Abound, helloabound.com, and Faire, faire.com.
The one-of-a-kind merchandise and the downhome welcoming atmosphere is what makes The Mad Moose a must-stop shop for thousands of tourists and locals alike each year.
“One customer told us the other day, that she considers The Mad Moose a ‘mountain version of Williams Sonoma,’” says McCann, glancing around the shop. “It feels good to get that kind of response.”
Both McCann and Chris Tedford say they enjoy greeting the customers. You can almost always find the new owners on the showroom floor. While they do intend to hire more sales associates, McCann says she and Tedford want to be in the store as much as possible and become active and involved community members.
“That matters to us. We want to connect with everyone who comes in and really showcase not only the store, but this great town. We are excited to live here and be a part of this vibrant business community,” McCann says. “It really was a dream of mine and we are thrilled to have this opportunity.”
The Mad Moose, located at 900 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517, is open daily and is in the processing of expanding their online store at www.madmoose.com