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South Routt-grown business

New Phippsburg feed, supply store offers plethora of products

Alexis DeLaCruz
Morgan Palyo, 8, gets a hug from her mom, Wendy, inside the family's new store, Flat Tops Ranch Supply, in Phippsburg on Thursday evening.
Brian Ray

— When Wendy and Jules Palyo began chasing their dream of opening a new business in South Routt County, they knew they wanted it to be built by, staffed by and supported by the community.

Jules Palyo, a former member of the South Routt Economic Development Council, knew it would be important to not only have Flat Tops Ranch Supply located in South Routt, but to provide the things the community needs the most – and usually travel to get.

“It’ll help our South Routt residents shop locally so they don’t have to leave the area and travel,” Jules Palyo said Thursday. “Support has been phenomenal.”



The Palyos, who have three children – Tristan, Ian and Morgan – have been working toward their goal of opening the business for three years.

After experiencing a few hiccups dealing with the county and the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Palyos are up and running.



“It was just slow,” Wendy Palyo said of the process. “It wasn’t painful, it was just slow. We’re not real patient people.”

The Palyos built the 4,000-square-foot building with some additional South Routt labor.

“That was our plan, to support South Routt together,” Jules Palyo said.

The store, which offers “a little bit of everything,” has an impressive saddle selection, farrier line, feed and seasonal gear. With hunting season on the horizon, employees have been setting up displays and stocking shelves. The store also carries limited hardware and plumbing supplies, an area the Palyos are expanding based on demand.

In addition to the Palyo clan, family friends Kelly and Tiffany Gates have been crucial to the business opening, Wendy Palyo said.

“We can’t thank them and the community enough,” she said.

Flat Tops Ranch Supply, on Colorado Highway 131 in Phippsburg, opened quietly with the flip of an “open” switch on Oct. 1. The Palyos are planning a large grand opening in the spring.

Flat Tops Ranch Supply is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The store is closed Sunday. For more information, call 736-2450.

-To reach Alexis DeLaCruz, call 871-4234

or e-mail adelacruz@steamboatpilot.com


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