Cathy Wakeman looks to pass baton to youthful entrepreneur
Cathy Wakeman, owner of Animas Trading Co., took over the business in 2007. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Animas Trading Co. is officially on the market.
Owner Cathy Wakeman announced in October she plans to sell the business after more than three decades with the store. She joined Animas Trading Co. in 1993 and took ownership in 2007. She is now ready to retire.
The business at 742 Main Ave. in downtown Durango sells clothing, jewelry, novelty gifts and worldly home decor.
A fan of the Grateful Dead, Wakeman said the store’s unique charm reflects the allure of the band’s music, which initially drew her to the venture. Over the past 17 years, Wakeman has traveled extensively across Thailand, Guatemala, Ecuador, India, Bali and Nepal, sourcing distinctive items to enhance her shop’s eclectic selection.
“The cool part about this job has been the travel and the relationships I’ve built with people around the world,” Wakeman said.
Throughout her career, she has cultivated a discerning eye for identifying clothing and furniture that embody what she describes as the “Durango lifestyle” or “music festival” attire. Animas Trading Co. has garnered acclaim for its eclectic offerings, earning recognition from The Denver Post as one of the best places to shop in a ski resort town.
For Wakeman, however, it’s time to pass the torch and find a younger, more energetic owner to take over the shop. While she has yet to receive any offers for the business, she said the ideal candidate would be someone youthful, creative and eager to travel.
“I just have an amazing staff. I think that is a help. People love coming in here and just shopping or looking around. We have lots of fun stuff to offer,” Wakeman said.
She said her hope is that a new buyer would look to keep the store the same with some fresh ideas.
Wakeman has witnessed many changes since joining the business, including three location changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. The business started in 1990 under the ownership of Ron Kirschnick.
In 2018, the store moved to its current location at 742 Main Ave., just under two years before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wakeman said the move was a significant success for Animas Trading Co., as it secured a cheaper rent and the business benefited from increased foot traffic near the restaurants along that stretch of Main Avenue.
“The pandemic, actually, was a really positive thing for us,” she said. “It brought people back to looking at shopping local.”
In 2022, the store achieved its highest sales year to date, a success that Wakeman attributes to consumers having discretionary income and not being tied to traditional work schedules.
The current location also reaps the benefits of being situated across the street from popular dining spots such as Switchback, Derailed Pour House and Fired Up Pizza, as well as adjacent to other well-frequented establishments like Hermosa Café and Durango Coffee Co.
The store’s decision to stay open until 9 p.m. during the summer has positively impacted foot traffic, allowing it to draw in after-dinner visitors.
“We’ve just been pretty stable and consistent ever since (moving) on sales,” Wakeman said. “And I just feel like this is like a prime retail block because of all the restaurants and coffee shops.”
A sign in the store’s window directs interested parties to reach out to Jen Sokol of Durango-based business broker Cole & Co.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
