Project Update: R&R Market

R&R Market Receives DOLA Main Street Open for Business Grant

R&R Market, San Luis, Colorado

Colorado’s oldest continuously operating family-owned business, R&R Market in San Luis, listed on Colorado Preservation, Inc.’s Most Endangered Places in 2019, will share a major grant of $560,722 made to Town of San Luis, along with four other key businesses along Main Street. The grant from Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Main Street Open for Business program will provide improvements to the participating businesses, including fresh paint, new signs, window repairs, doors, and lighting and efficiency improvements. Owners Felix and Claudia Romero are descendants of the original owners of the market, which dates to 1857 and has anchored the state’s oldest downtown for more than 160 years.

In August 2021, Town of San Luis became the newest participant in Colorado Main Street Program, generating much energy and enthusiasm in the area since the announcement. Colorado Preservation, Inc. congratulates R&R Market and the other participating businesses on the grant award and wishes to acknowledge the work of the late Jeremy Elliott of Costilla County Economic Development Commission for his role in making it happen. A memorial service for Jeremy took place Aug. 24 at the offices of Costilla County Economic Development in San Luis.

This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

Donate to CPI

We hope you will extend your appreciation for Colorado's heritage by helping us take advantage of this $1 to $1 matching campaign. Learn more about our matching campaign and make your tax-deductible donation today!

Featured Project

Preservation for a Changing Colorado

Historic preservation has a direct economic benefit to communities and Colorado! Take a look at the 2017 study, which considered the ways adaption of historic places has a direct financial effect on the state.

This updated, most resent study, was the result of a partnership between Colorado Preservation, Inc and History Colorado, funded by a grant from History Colorado's State Historical Fund. Prepared by Clarion Associates, the new report document the economic benefits of rehabilitation projects, analyzes property values and neighborhood stability in local historic districts, and summarizes the increasing impact of heritage tourism, private preservation development and the success of Colorado’s Main Street program.

In a key finding, researchers determined that for every $1 million spent on historic preservation in Colorado it produced $1.03 million in additional spending, 14 new jobs, and $636,700 in increased household incomes across the state!

The 2017 report also considers the important role preservation plays in helping Coloradans provide new spaces for creative communities and co-working, create and sustain meaningful places, responds to the state’s changing demographics, and addresses climate concerns.

Click Here to see download and read the full report, "Preservation for a Changing Colorado".