Merc Opens With a Warm Welcome for Cyclists

Tucked between the canyons and climbs of Larimer County, Masonville has long been a landmark for Northern Colorado cyclists—and at its heart sits the Masonville Mercantile, a quirky general store with roots stretching back to the early 1900s. As local historian Meg Dunn details on her website NorthernColoradoHistory.com, the town of Masonville sprang up at the intersection of homesteads, ranches, and stage routes. The mercantile itself began as a general goods store serving locals and travelers alike, and through the decades it evolved—becoming a post office, a gathering spot, and eventually a popular waypoint for weekend riders.

While today’s cyclists are greeted with water refill stations, pastries, and a warm welcome, that hasn’t always been the case at the Masonville Mercantile. In years past, it lacked basic amenities—no water, no restroom, and it was cash-only. The vibe wasn’t always inviting to riders, either. That started to change with the most recent previous owners, who embraced the cycling community and helped make the Merc a favorite stop. The new owners are proudly continuing that tradition, adding thoughtful updates while preserving the store’s quirky, small-town charm.

Under new ownership as of December 2024, the Merc is once again open—and more welcoming than ever. We caught up with the new team behind the counter to learn what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what they hope to build for both cyclists and the broader Masonville community.

After sitting dark for months and following a November auction, the beloved Masonville Mercantile has reopened its doors—and cyclists across Northern Colorado have a new reason to stop and celebrate.

On Memorial Day Weekend 2025, the historic general store welcomed back customers under new ownership. Bill Carle, Robert Mein, and Susan Mein officially took possession of the building on December 16, 2024, and spent the next few months giving the space new life while carefully preserving its quirky, small-town charm.

They cleaned, painted, refinished the floors, and removed the old plug-in track lighting. This wasn’t a sudden or impulsive decision—the team had long admired the space and hoped to one day make it their own. When the opportunity came, they jumped.

Carle, a third-generation Coloradan with retail operations in some of the state’s most scenic locations, first partnered with the Meins in the 1990s after a successful concession bid at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. That collaboration has continued and now extends to Masonville.

A Fresh Start with Familiar Vibes

The new team hasn’t changed everything—on purpose. The goal has been to preserve the store’s signature charm and quirky personality. The biggest update so far has been upgrading the septic system to allow for indoor plumbing.

Cyclists who’ve long counted on the Mercantile as a mid-ride oasis will find familiar amenities returning: a water refill station is being installed, shaded outdoor seating is available, and a port-o-potty stands in until new restrooms are ready. Bike racks are in the works, and hydration mix from Skratch is back on the shelves.

The team knew the store was already a well-loved stop for cyclists and decided to keep things simple—just open the doors and offer a warm welcome. That approach seems to be working. In fact, the first customer to walk through the door after reopening was a cyclist, who even earned a t-shirt (still waiting to be picked up).

Fueling Riders with Local Goods

Although the Merc doesn’t yet have a commercial kitchen, there’s no shortage of grab-and-go options. Riders can pick up croissants from La Creperie, ice cream from Ummber’s Premium and Little Man, brewed coffee, and hot tea. With a newly acquired liquor license, the team also plans to offer beer and wine soon.

Water remains the most popular item among riders, but the selection is growing and evolving based on community feedback.

The store accepts both cash and credit cards and is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Building Community One Rider at a Time

The new owners are enjoying the chance to get to know the community—including plenty of cyclists. Meeting the people who stop in, whether on two wheels or four, has been one of the highlights of the reopening.

While none of the owners consider themselves hardcore riders, they’ve each logged a few miles—on e-bikes, including full moon rides up Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mt. Evans).

No judgment here.

Plan Your Stop

Next time you’re heading out to climb Buckhorn or cruise through Masonville, swing by the Merc. Grab a cold drink, fill your bottles, rest your legs in the shade, and say hi.

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📍 Masonville Mercantile
📅 Open Mon–Thurs 9–6 | Fri–Sun 9–7
💳 Cash & Card | 🚻 Port-o-potty now, indoor restroom coming soon
☕ Croissants, coffee, ice cream, Skratch, and more
🧾 Follow them on Instagram & Facebook

Up next, an interview with Brett Lampman, the new owner of the store in Stout.