Old Colorado City restaurant is closing after decades, owner citing changing work culture

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – In a sudden announcement, a key Old Colorado City neighborhood has closed its doors for good, citing a changing work culture.

Kasie Swain posted the announcement on Facebook Monday morning to the surprise of many, including other Old Colorado City business owners who told 11 News the move was unexpected. Mountain Shadows Restaurant has been in Old Colorado City for more than 30 years, opening its doors in the early 1990s.

“It means everything to me,” said owner Kasie Swain. “I have been here for 35 years. I raised my children and grandchildren here and made my very best friends.”

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, things started to change, people started leaving, and Swain said it’s been a difficult time since then.

“Someone mentioned to me years ago that the small business taxes and the requirements we have, the FAMLI leave now and the sick pay, we’ve never had that in the restaurant because we can’t afford it, but it just keeps rising.” . I think my liability went from about $4,000 to $9,000,” Swain said. “If you’re put in that position, you can’t make it. No matter how many people have butts in these chairs, there’s so much more to it.”

She said she also faced demands for higher wages that she was unable to meet.

“It’s nothing like it was when I was young,” she said. “The work ethic is different and the payroll is out of my price range, if you want to call it that. I can’t afford what chefs want now.”

Still, she said she tried to keep the restaurant running as long as possible.

Mountain Shadows Restaurant has become a staple in Old Town Colorado City. Even before the restaurant opened in the 20th century, the house, which has existed for more than 100 years, looked back on an eventful history.

Swain said she cared for a pair of twins who claimed to have been born in this very house in the 1970s. She showed 11 News some old pictures of the house taken in the 1920s. She said she has worked hard to maintain that legacy during her time as owner.

The restaurant was even featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

“My life is so much better because I’m here,” Swain said. “I have supported the restaurant financially for the last year and a half. And I can’t do it anymore. There’s no money left for it.”

She said she had many conversations about what to do next.

“I’ve talked to a lot of different people about the immediate future,” Swain said. “And they asked me, ‘You could make the next paycheck and limp along, but then what?’ “We’re going to have the same problems.” And that’s what I’m going to do, and I can’t afford it anymore.”

This marked the end of a 30-year history of the historic building.

“And I’m so happy to have made people happy that we’re here. I mean, that’s what it’s about, that’s what it’s all about,” she said, reflecting on her legacy.

She told 11 News she hopes the next owner carries on that legacy.

“I want someone to just buy everything and keep it as it is. I know that’s asking a lot,” she laughed.

But as she retires, she hopes her employees can get back on their feet.

“And it’s, you know, not necessarily about me, but about laying off 15 people that you know, and it’s Christmas time,” she said. “I hope they get great jobs, you know? My reception was or is great. They are fantastic waitresses and bus drivers and I can’t praise my manager enough.”

On Tuesday, she met with some potential buyers and spent time between meetings thinking and preparing for the future.

As she spoke to 11 News, she made a pot of coffee like she’d had a thousand times before, filled out paperwork in front of a once-bustling kitchen and read posters on the wall that had become the talk of customers filling her food space for more than 30 years.

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