Building dates to 1873, offers glimpse into area’s rich history
Story and photos by Malena Larsen
The front door of the Gold Hill General Store & Pub is a time machine. Past the creaking hinges, music softly plays, usually something with steel guitar. The air smells like wood, baked goods and fresh produce.
The walls are filled with antique decor and shelves stocked with grocery store basics. The bar, made of old pine, stretches across the room; behind it are bottles of liquor and a few taps. On cold days, the potbelly stove rumbles with a warm fire.
The building has been standing since 1873 and is nestled within the unincorporated community of Gold Hill. The community was established in 1859 as the first permanent mining camp in the Colorado mountains. Despite its current population of approximately 200 and its remote feel, it’s located only 10 miles west of bustling Boulder, up Sunshine Canyon at an elevation of 8,500 feet.
Post-war revival
Created to be a general store, the space was originally shaped by mining life in the area. However, the ebb of activity during World War I led to its decades-long closure. It reopened in the 1960s. Since then, the space has undergone a series of transitions under various owners until landing on its latest form: a cafe, restaurant, general store and music venue.
The Gold Hill General Store & Pub is currently owned by Mike McNett and Whitey DeBroux. When McNett moved to the Gold Hill area in 2020, he assumed he’d get a job in Boulder in the fine dining industry, as that’s where his roots are planted.
“I stumbled upon this place (Gold Hill General Store & Pub), walked in, and asked if they needed help,” McNett says. “I assumed I’d be working a shift or two a week. I think I only worked three shifts before I wanted in. I wanted to own it.”
It’s easy to see why McNett was immediately enthralled with the general store and pub. There is something magical and captivating about the space. In fact, a few employees commute all the way from Denver just to work a few shifts every month.
McNett brings his expertise from the restaurant industry to oversee the culinary side of the pub, while DeBroux channels his knowledge and passion for biking to promote the cycling side of things. Both elements, food and bikes, are integral to the essence of the space.
Bikers and runners frequent the Gold Hill Loop, often making a stop at the shop for mid- or post-workout sustenance. The store's clientele also includes a significant portion of Gold Hill and Sunshine Canyon locals.
Paper tabs are maintained for every Gold Hill resident.
McNett emphasizes the importance of their local customers: “It’s a special place, so we prioritize community.” In fact, every resident of Gold Hill holds a tab. And it’s not found on a tablet or computer. These tabs are held in an old wooden box that has names of everyone in town. Individuals can contribute to their own tab, or if they help out the store in some way, McNett will add to it on their behalf.
Namesake menu
Another way McNett celebrates the locals is by naming the sandwiches on the menu after dogs that live in the area. For example, Freya is a hot pastrami sandwich, Swayze is a roast beef sandwich, and Dave is a kimchi and cheese sandwich on sourdough.
For those in the mood for something sweet rather than savory, “The Cookie” is a must. The recipe for these large chocolate chip cookies is from a restaurant McNett worked at in Seattle.
“I asked the restaurant if I could use the recipe,” he says. “I just had to adjust the recipe for altitude. I worked hard with another employee to get them just right.”
The cookies are made just six at a time, so every customer gets to experience them fresh out of the oven.
One space, many lives
“This place is a chameleon,” McNett says. “It’s a coffee shop in the morning, a spot to grab a pizza and beer in the evening, we have live music where we sling cocktails and beer for a shoulder to shoulder crowd. It’s every aspect of the restaurant world that I love.”
The pub has live music nearly every weekend, where they often get crowds of 60 to 70 people. In addition to live music, they have special events like a “420 Special” featuring a Taco Bell inspired “Munchies Menu,” a Valentine’s Day three-course dinner and wine pairing, and a French food pop-up that includes braised meats, duck confit, wine and more.
The action doesn’t stop at the store. There’s a Gold Hill Party Bus that offers round trips for music events at the store and other special occasions.
“It’s a 1990s school bus,” McNett shares. “We take people from Gold Hill to Rockies games, Red Rocks, Eldora and other spots.”
From the renovated school bus to the box of tabs to the cookie recipe from McNett’s past life, the Gold Hill General Store & Pub is an intricate mix of old and new, traditional and eclectic, rowdy and peaceful. It’s resilient; regardless of the season, visitors find their way here, whether it's a local strolling down the gravel road from their home, skiers hitching a ride up the canyon, bikers and runners tackling the elevation-heavy journey, or music enthusiasts enjoying live music.
However, amidst the vibrancy and liveliness of the area, it's crucial to uphold respect for the community. McNett emphasizes the significance of this sentiment: “This is a small town. I’d love it if people could be respectful of that. We experience extremely busy summer nights. Try carpooling if you can. There are only 200 of us [locals], so when we get a bunch of cars and people up here it can be overwhelming.”
The Gold Hill Pub & General Store may seem almost too idyllic to be true. But luckily for those looking to step back in time for a bite to eat or live music, this place is as real as it gets. In fact, the pub’s authenticity is what gives it much of its charm and allows visitors from near and far to have a one-of-a-kind Colorado experience.
Malena Larsen is a writer and Minnesota transplant. In addition to writing, she spends her time running in the mountains, visiting local craft breweries, and avoiding aggressive geese.