New Wellington businesses rise and remodel

By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent

Sounds of heavy equipment and hammers fill the air as new Wellington businesses break ground or remodel some old, in-town, classic buildings.

Two eagerly awaited businesses include the Wellington Medical Center and Main Street Market, both taking shape south of Cleveland Avenue along the West Frontage Road (Sixth Street).

Andrew Hughes, M.D., will provide medical services at the new Wellington Medical Center located at 7859 Sixth St., beginning in September. Community members can begin reserving appointments in late summer. WMC, a service of United Medical Center Health Services Corp., will offer primary care, X-ray services and physical therapy with experienced medical care providers.

"I'm excited about returning to a small, family-oriented community and practicing medicine in a state-of-the-art medical clinic," Hughes said. "WMC is providing the residents of Wellington and surrounding communities a top-line medical facility with quality services close to home."

Hughes graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and has been active in both emergency room and family practice medicine for the past 19 years. He has served as medical director of Columbine Family Practice and chairman of the department of family practice and chief of staff at McKee Medical Center, both in Loveland. In 2005, he was awarded the "Best Family Physician" honor in the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald Reader's Choice awards.

Oct. 1 is the target date for opening Main Street Market. John Rohn and his wife, Kathy, have recently relocated from Sterling. John will manage the new 32,000-square-foot grocery store while Kathy assumes duties as an administrative assistant at Front Range Community College.

John also discovered he is project manager for the new building. "I'm learning a lot about construction," he said, "but that's good. I will know exactly where everything is and how it works and be better able to teach new employees."

He's already seen about 20 applications for jobs. The store will ultimately employ about 55 people - about 30 percent will be full-time positions.

"We want to be open at least a month before the first major holiday," Rohn said. "Customer service will set us apart from the mega-stores."

The store will routinely offer carryout service, have prescription delivery and provide home delivery to the elderly certain days of the week. The business includes a pharmacy with a drive-up window, a deli/bakery, full-service meat counter and a liquor store with a separate entrance. Customers may, at their option, also become members of Panhandle Co-op. Members share in any store profits and receive dividend checks at the end of each fiscal year based on their purchases.

In late August or early September, the Wellington Veterinary Clinic expects to break ground next door to the medical center, using the same local contractor, Construction Management Works. The clinic will expand its space six-fold and also provide a pet boarding service called the Northern Colorado Pet Resort.

"We will also have 3,000 square feet available for lease and future expansion," said Dr. Wayne Jensen, co-owner with his wife and professional colleague, Tracey.

Some businesses are providing a new look for classic buildings. Jonathon Rashleigh recently began cleaning and remodeling the building at the corner of Cleveland and Second Street, most recently occupied by the Sports Barn.

The new establishment, named Beauregard's in honor of his 10-year-old lab, is an "American grill with a home-style flavor." Rashleigh said they will be making everything, except the bread, from scratch. The menu will include steaks, salmon, pasta, burgers and salads.

Rashleigh and partners are working to take the "100-year-old Wellington landmark and showcase its unique features." They will be retaining the handsome wood bar and remodeling the patio area to complement the old cottonwood tree reigning there. Beauregard's will open July 1.

Bill Schneider has already taken the old VFW building and turned it into a residence/business called Vestige Press. He specializes in restoring and preserving historical photography and videography.

A black-and-white photographic restoration of turn-of-the-century Wellington currently adorns one wall, accompanied by photos and artifacts from the days of George Armstrong Custer, whose 7th Cavalry unit spent some time stationed in the area. Schneider offers a free museum open on weekends or by appointment, which will feature new material every three months. Vestige Press also offers publishing services for historical manuscripts.

The face of Wellington is changing. Visitors and old residents will hopefully enjoy a view that includes something new blending harmoniously with familiar features stretching back over a century.