The Village Stop & Go has been a town staple, and according to current business owner Berna Trujillo, the business has been operating in Questa for over 70 years. You might be in the mood for one of their slushies or stop in for a beverage in the lounge, but there are many other items in her inventory that owner Trujillo takes pride in carrying.
Some of the unique items that Trujillo seeks out include Questa postcards, magnets, and coffee cups made locally, osha lollipops made by a close friend, homemade flaxseed heating pads created by Granny Creations out of Cerro, a piñon-rose body mist, incense, and lip balms made by Brenda’s Botanicals, a Cerro local. “I tell people, if you want to sell your homemade items here, go ahead. Many of these items make great one-of-a-kind gifts,” she says.
Trujillo listed the many iterations that the Village Stop & Go and lounge have undergone over the past 70 years. Tewa Lounge offers a warm fireplace to keep patrons nice and cozy while enjoying a beverage, as well as a wood-paneled bar providing a drink to your liking. One is welcome to order and bring food into the bar and listen to music or chat with Trujillo and her employees, creating a pleasant atmosphere. A massage chair sits by the fireplace and in the corner an old pay phone gives you that nostalgic feeling.
Thursdays tend to be the busiest night at the lounge. Trujillo’s staff consists of four part-time employees, while Trujillo is there during the day. The lounge opens at approximately 7:30 a.m. with Trujillo’s brother, Tony Trujillo, serving coffee for regulars; the bar closes after the evening crowd leaves. The business is open every day except for Christmas Day.
Being a business owner in Questa for many years, you learn a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t. Trujillo says the best business advice she’s received is “the wheel is already rolling, you don’t have to reinvent it. The previous owner knew what worked and what items sold, and I’ve stuck with that and it’s proven to be beneficial for my business.” Trujillo expressed her willingness and ability to work with other local businesses in Questa and continues to offer a place for people to come and relax. Trujillo has been integral in community efforts that help families in need, offering her lounge for pool tournaments. “It’s not only me. I’ll sponsor the event, but the community comes together to pull off these fundraisers. Questa is very unique. When somebody needs something, the community is right there to help them. We all know each other and are connected to each other in some way,” says Trujillo.
“We have a great village here and these smaller businesses can survive because the locals and tourists continue to support us.” Hard work remains important to Trujillo as a business owner but her family, staff, and customers are part of her success. In addition to being a business owner, Trujillo is raising her three grandchildren, and along with her brother helps care for her mother. Trujillo says, “If you continue to work hard for yourselves, things start falling into place.” The people that work here and the people that come here are my extended family,” Trujillo expresses. “I love my customers and they keep me going.” Trujillo has made many connections throughout her 20-plus years as the owner and operator of the Village Stop & Go and hopes to continue to intrigue locals and tourists alike.
