It’s hard to believe that a dusty corner at 11th Street and Main Avenue, which was originally a gas station and tire shop from the 1920s till 1970, has become the meeting place and heartbeat of Durango. 11th Street Station is now a staple in the community, driving foot traffic toward the north end of Main Avenue since its inception in 2017. As the 11th Street Station approaches its 8th anniversary, I interviewed the father/son duo who started this lively experiment.
Jaime Wisner, owner of 11th Street, was born in Mexico City and has lived in Durango for 47 years. With entrepreneurial foresight, he bought the property in 1988 and ran a travel agency on it for 25+ years, knowing that someday, he would do something special with it. Jaime and his son Marcos, an accomplished chef, felt like Durango was losing its identity as there was no place for locals to gather. The food truck wave had started in the early 2000s in Portland and other cities, so they toured these locations to get ideas and inspiration for their own concept, Durango’s first food truck collective.
Several factors played into the food truck revolution during that time, including the recession, social media, and the reality that, unlike established restaurants, food trucks thrived on experimentation. Fusion foods, niche cuisines, and creative concoctions became hallmarks of the food truck scene. They’re also symbols of the D.I.Y. spirit, community engagement, and grassroots innovation. The chefs are free from the confines and overhead of traditional restaurants to directly engage with their patrons.
As co-owner and CEO, Marcos wanted a change from the stress of working in fine dining in New York City, so he and his Dad bought a $25,000 food truck to park on the property and try out the idea for a summer. Durango’s planning department previously only allowed six months for food trucks to stay in place before having to move. To expand on their food truck collective, Jaime and Marcos endured two years of securing the right permits to move forward.
The evolution of 11th Street Station has been steady but not without hiccups; originally set up with large communal tables to encourage mingling, COVID-19 changed that approach. The Wisners wanted to establish and help the community, so they started a “seed” program for chefs who wanted to open their own restaurants. Five spinoffs have successfully launched so far, including Chang Thai, Taste, Akami, Backcountry Gourmet, and Cuevas Tacos.
With Jaime’s business experience and the supportive infrastructure the Station provides, the food truck chefs can concentrate on making great food without the worry of overhead or employees. A commissary kitchen, hostesses and bussers, and a common storage area under one of the dining decks help streamline the operation. Marcos said it’s a great business model when everyone works together.
The current food truck lineup includes The Box (wood-fired pizza), Café Amor (espresso drinks and pastries), Avalanche Bowl Company (rice, meat, and vegetable bowls), Backcountry Gourmet (sliders, fries, and salads), Love ‘n Juice (fresh juices, smoothies, and paninis), Taqueria La Costa (tacos, tortas, and burritos), and The Cluck Stop (Southern-fried chicken tenders and salads). Ernie’s Bar, named after an early owner of the place, is a permanent fixture, featuring a multitude of beers, wines, and cocktails.
Live music is also a big focus at 11th Street. They partnered with our local iAM Music organization to host festivals on a portable stage in the main dining area. Most nights, musicians perform, and the space is large enough to enjoy it without feeling crowded. They also host special events, like a pool party with a DJ during the summer, when they bring in and fill an actual pool. The Sexy Car Wash during our winter Snowdown festival is very popular, as well as the Oktoberfest beer tasting.
The gas station’s history provides ample sources for decoration and function, like the gas pump faucets in the bathrooms, the ’57 Chevy Bel Air front end over the beer taps at the bar, a wall of hubcaps next to the overhead garage door, and the delightful Conoco delivery truck parked among the outdoor tables. As I sipped a mocha from Café Amor while sitting on a custom-made couch made from the rear end of a vintage Cadillac, I enjoyed the lively view of what the Wisners have created. Morning, noon, and night, 11th Street Station has become the gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
11th Street Station is located on the corner of Main Avenue and 11th Street and open Sunday – Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. For event or other inquiries call 970-422-8482.
By Billy Grimes
