Aspen Crossing held a wine and cheese event on May 3rd to celebrate 10 years of being in business. Staff members and customers socialized, exchanging stories and pictures of past events and milestones.
“Aspen Crossing opened its doors May 1st, 2004, with one greenhouse attached to a replica of a CPR Train Station, a Caboose and 3 staff members. The owner, Jason Thornhill, chose the train theme for his retail business, partly for his love for trains and also for the connection between CPR and horticulture,” says general manager, Donna Biggar.
Aspen Crossing, in the last 10 years, has successfully grown and expanded into a rural destination. The business had to build and grow a unique shopping experience in a community of only 65 people, in an area that most had never heard of, or had any idea where it was located, and then convince these customers it was worth the drive.
One of Aspen Crossings best finds, and fitting to the theme, was an 1887 Pullman dining car. This treasure was once John Diefenbaker’s business car and also the famous Sidetrack Cafe in Edmonton. It now serves as a place for a great home cooked meal and in the evening people can enjoy the fine dining that the cars elite cliental from the past enjoyed.
“In the summer of 2010 we completed a 85 site campground,” explains Thornhill.
“The campground includes a shower house, laundry, convenience store in the venue of another replica railway station. We’ve also converted Cabooses into luxury cabins, which include a full size bed, kitchenette, living area, bathroom, fire place and a private deck & outdoor fire pit,” Biggar adds.
Looking back on our 10 years Aspen Crossing has not only accomplished an immeasurable amount of growth, but have also been greatly recognized for it. In 2011 they received SouthGrow’s ‘Growth and Expansion Award’ as well as the ‘Alberta Growing Rural Tourism Award’. Aspen Crossing has been featured in may magazines, newspapers, on Dragon’s Den, Shaw TV, the Prairie Farm Report and CBC Radio. In 2013 our team also received ‘Marketing of the Year’ and ‘Excellence in Diversification’ from Vulcan Business Development.
After a short presentation featuring many pictures of the last 10 years Biggar announces, “It’s been quite an exciting ride, which could not have been possible without all our amazing customers. Thank you for being part of our business and we hope that you take part in our next 10 year journey.”
