ABQJOURNAL NORTH: Ski Valley Eatery Opened in 1989

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Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Ski Valley Eatery Opened in 1989

By Andy Stiny
For the Journal
       The Harter family have dispensed their signature New Mexican food, chile rellenos and margaritas from the base of Taos Ski Valley for 20 years.
    But, starting this week, Tim's Stray Dog Cantina will be under new ownership after being sold to four Santa Feans with restaurant experience, including two with backgrounds at Santa Fe's Coyote Café. The papers were signed Friday.
    One thing that sealed the deal was the ski area allowing snowboarding for a first full season this year after a trial period in 2008, said new co-owner Marcus Aragon, who said he is "super excited" about the new venture.
    "It's already been a great start to the year," he said "...We probably wouldn't have been able to go ahead if the snowboarding had not gone through, and the snow has been incredible. It's gonna be a lot of fun." Aragon, 28, is a snowboarder.
    The name of the business will be changed to the Stray Dog, but we are "still holding onto part the tradition," he said.
    Todd and Summer Harter have owned and run the restaurant for about 10 years, since about the time Todd's brother and the restaurant's namesake and co-founder died in an avalanche while backcountry skiing beyond Taos Ski Valley boundaries in 1996.
    "It (selling the restaurant) is something we have been trying to do ... it's been in the family for 20 years, so it will be sad," said Todd Harter. "It's mixed feelings for sure."
    Selling the eatery has been in the works for a couple of years, and it was all part of a plan he and his wife had to move to Austin, where Summer has family.
    Harter, 45, said he plans to work in the construction industry.
    The Stray Dog, which employs 20 to 25 people during the winter and a few less in the summer, is known for its original ingredients and its red and green chile dishes.
    "We do a little bit of everything, but that's our signature," Harter said.
    Except for closing for part of spring after ski season, the restaurant is open year-round.
    The new owners plan few immediate changes, but they intend to bring back breakfast, which was dropped a few years ago.
    "The whole ski valley needs a new breakfast place up there," Aragon said.
    "We'll see what kind of changes (are needed) after reopening after spring," he said. "Right now, we're just looking forward to having a lot of fun." The restaurant will continue with lunch and dinner.
    Aragon identified his Santa Fe partners as Tori Mendes, a part owner of the Coyote Café; Rachele Griego, who also has restaurant experience; and Rick Trujillo, who used to own Rio Valley Ford in Española.
    Aragon said he worked at the Coyote for the past five years, where under a team management system he headed up the bar. Aragon has taken up residence in the ski valley.
    The purchase price for the Stray Dog was close to the listed price of $500,000, said Aragon, and it included the business and liquor license. The group worked out a long-term lease with building owner John Cottam, he said. "We're just finishing up the deal," Aragon said. The new owners expect to take over this week. Within a couple of weeks, the Cantina's new Web site, www.straydogtsv.com, should be online.
    Tim's Stray Dog Cantina opened in 1989. Todd Harter is optimistic that the new owners will carry on with what his late brother and his wife, Laurie, started 20 years ago.
    "Hopefully, they will do a good job, and it will be a great place," he said.

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