Signature Spotlight: Inside Colorado Cherry Company at the Stanley Hotel

One of the questions we hear most often from people considering a move to Estes Park is: "What is there to do around the Stanley Hotel?" The answer might surprise you. While the Stanley Hotel itself offers ghost tours, concerts, comedy shows, and a fascinating peek into Colorado history, there's also a hidden gem right inside the historic hotel that deserves its own spotlight.

The Colorado Cherry Company has been serving coffee, ciders, and locally made goods from its location inside the Stanley Hotel since 2017. And in a fun twist, I had the chance to interview their manager for this Signature Spotlight, someone who knows both the Stanley and our local community exceptionally well: my son, Jacob Abel.

A Family Business with Deep Colorado Roots

The Colorado Cherry Company isn't just another coffee shop. This is a multigenerational Colorado family business that has served communities along the route to Estes Park for decades. What started as a small roadside stand has grown into a beloved local institution with four locations, each managed by successive generations of the Lehnert family.

Their first location sits on Highway 34 coming up from Loveland, closer to Loveland than Estes Park. This original store focuses on the baked goods and preserves that built the company's reputation. The second location, on Highway 36 west of Lyons, operates as a restaurant with an in-house bakery and an expanded savory menu, alongside the signature jarred preserves.

The Stanley Hotel location, managed by the third generation, took a different direction. Given their unique position within the hotel, they focus primarily on coffee service. And the newest chapter? The fourth generation now runs two Legacy Pie Company shops in Denver, all unified under the same family management.

What Makes the Stanley Location Special

The Colorado Cherry Company was chosen for the Stanley Hotel location specifically because of their commitment to local Colorado products. Everything they don't make themselves comes from other Colorado businesses. The honey is locally sourced from producers around the state. They partner with small Denver companies like the Real Dill and the Denver Chip Company. Even their ice cream and coffee come from local Colorado roasters and makers.

This focus on supporting local businesses and maintaining an authentically Colorado experience is exactly what makes this partnership with the Stanley Hotel work so well. Both share a commitment to preserving and celebrating what makes our mountain communities special.

The Coffee Experience and Signature Drinks

If you're a coffee enthusiast (and as Jake can tell you, I absolutely am), the Colorado Cherry Company has created four signature lattes that have become guest favorites over the years:

The Red Rum Latte takes its name from the famous Stanley Hotel connection to Stephen King's The Shining. The 217 Latte references room 217, the room where Stephen King stayed during his visit that inspired the novel. The Honey Bear features locally sourced Colorado honey in a latte that Jake created. The Cherry Blossom combines cherry and vanilla for a slightly lighter, sweeter flavor.

But here's something many visitors don't know: the Colorado Cherry Company specializes in ciders. These non-alcoholic ciders (cherry, apple, blackberry, and peach) are what the company was originally founded on. During the winter months, the apple cider mixed with caramel and served warm has become one of their most popular drinks. It's the perfect complement to exploring the Stanley on a cold Colorado day.

Hours and Seasonal Considerations

The Colorado Cherry Company operates on a schedule that aligns with the Stanley Hotel's tour operations. During the off-season, they're open from 7:00 a.m. until the last tour of the day leaves, which means hours vary day to day. But during peak season (summer through December), you can count on consistent hours from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This makes the coffee shop an ideal spot whether you're caffeinating before an early morning hike, settling in for some people watching during the afternoon, or grabbing something warm before an evening ghost tour.

Who You'll Find at Colorado Cherry Company

While the coffee shop doesn't see many locals on a regular basis, it serves as a vibrant gathering place for Stanley Hotel guests and day visitors exploring Estes Park. You'll find tourists exploring the hotel's famous ghost stories and Stephen King connections, concert and comedy show attendees, and people simply discovering what makes the Stanley Hotel an iconic Colorado destination.

The atmosphere reflects that mix: welcoming for visitors while maintaining an authentic Colorado character that respects the Stanley's history and the mountain community surrounding it.

Why This Matters for Mountain Living

When you're considering a move to Estes Park, understanding the fabric of our community means knowing about places like the Colorado Cherry Company. These aren't just businesses. They're the gathering spots, the local institutions, and the connections that make mountain living rich and rewarding.

The fact that a multi-generation Colorado family business has found a home inside one of our most iconic hotels speaks to what makes Estes Park special. There's room here for both visitors and locals, for history and innovation, for preserving what makes Colorado unique while welcoming newcomers into the community.

Whether you're planning a career change, considering retirement in the mountains, looking for a second home, or making a strategic lifestyle move, these local connections and authentic Colorado businesses become part of your daily experience. The Colorado Cherry Company represents the kind of genuine, locally focused, community-minded business that makes Estes Park more than just a beautiful place to live.

Planning Your Visit

If you're visiting Estes Park or exploring the area before a move, the Colorado Cherry Company at the Stanley Hotel makes an excellent stop. You'll get a taste of authentic Colorado products, experience a piece of local business history, and have the chance to explore the Stanley Hotel itself.

While you're planning your visit, if you have questions about real estate in Estes Park or Northern Colorado's mountain communities, our team is here to help. We specialize in helping discerning buyers and sellers navigate the mountain real estate market with local expertise and five-star service that makes your transition seamless.

Relevant Links

Learn more about Colorado Cherry Company at the Stanley Hotel: Colorado Cherry Company

Explore the Stanley Hotel: The Stanley Hotel

Curious about the Stanley's spooky history? What's So Spooky About Historic The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park?

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About the Author: Julie Abel is a licensed real estate agent with Signature Home Team, brokered by Keller Williams Top of the Rockies, specializing in Estes Park and Northern Colorado mountain communities. She shares insights about real estate and mountain living through the Estes Park Living channel.