Tiny Timbers coffee bistro opens in South Fork

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Tiny Timbers staff include: Megan Powell, Brett and Cheryl McIntosh, Brandee Medina, Brittney Butler and Nina Anderson (not pictured, Christina Bowman).


SOUTH FORK — Brett and Cheryl McIntosh didn’t wait to finish their careers before following their dream to open a grab-and-go coffee bistro in South Fork. They still hold their positions at the Lewis Bolt & Nut Company in La Junta, Colo. but thanks to help from many sources, they successful opened Tiny Timbers on Dec. 14.
Cheryl has been the La Junta company’s chief financial officer for 25 years. After 21 years as plant manager, Brett still works full-time, commuting three to four hours to South Fork on weekends.
Tiny Timbers is much more than a coffee shop at the intersection of Del Norte Peak Road and Highway 160 east of South Fork. Brilliant with lights at night, the building is hard to miss, and the four tiny homes have drawn curiosity for months.
Registered as “Tiny Timbers Cabins & RV Resort, LLC,” the enterprise currently offers breakfast, lunch, coffee and a gift shop featuring kitchen tools and treasures. But starting in May, the first four tiny homes will be available for short-term rental on the property.
Phase one, according to Cheryl, includes the coffee bistro, four tiny homes, and a remodeled Honeymoon Cabin. According to legend, cowboys and ranch hands used the special building for their honeymoons years ago.
South Fork craftsman Augie Sparrow restored the cabin and exceeded the new owners’ expectations remodeling the bistro building too. Cheryl credited Sparrow and also praised Sprout Tiny Homes, the company that created the units.
Before moving operations to Pueblo, Sprout built their first homes next door to Lewis Bolt & Nut Company in La Junta. The McIntosh couple entertained the idea of tiny home rental at the time while they rented out condos in Denver until VRBO regulations changed their plans.
“We’re marketing to ATV riders and others who want to grab something quick and head to the hills,” Cheryl explained.
Brett and Cheryl fell in love with South Fork and its surroundings riding ATVs years ago, celebrating their own honeymoon on a camping trip in the wilderness off Park Creek Road on Wolf Creek Pass. Offering their Honeymoon Cabin VRBO, the couple hopes to share what they’ve had the fortune to experience.
A family-run business, Tiny Timbers follows the family-owned leadership model from Lewis Bolt & Nut Company. Cheryl praised the company for encouraging the couple to pursue their dream while maintaining important positions at the largest domestic railroad fastener manufacturer in the United States.
Cheryl expressed more gratitude beyond Sparrow, Sprout, and Lewis Bolt & Nut Company. Her daughter Megan Powell was working in La Junta and raising two boys when Cheryl floated the idea of helping her open the bistro. Megan considered the move for about a week before deciding to make the jump to Rio Grande County.
“She has been such an incredible help,” Cheryl said. “Honestly, I could not have done this without her.”
With so much help from her daughter, husband, employer and local support, Cheryl pointed out the sign above the door signifying their motto: “be the light.”
“We’ve been praying,” Cheryl said, “We’re taking it day by day.”
Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tiny Timbers offers fat burritos, sweet and savory baked goods, kitchen gadgets from the gift shop and of course excellent coffee drinks. Search for Tiny Timbers Coffee Bistro on Facebook, call 657-1134 or stop by 28422 Hwy 160 in South Fork.