Red Feather Lakes – An early-morning fire Tuesday destroyed the 79-year-old Red Feather Cafe, a social and dining hub in this community of about 500 residents.
The fire was reported about 5:45 a.m. and crews from several local towns responded and saved an adjoining business – C.T.’s Flyshop and More. The inside of the Red Feather Cafe building is a total loss, although the outside walls are still standing, said Larimer County sheriff’s spokeswoman Eloise Campanella.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but it’s believed the blaze started in the cafe’s attic, Campanella said.
The wife of one of the owners of the cafe, Roxy Buyse, was slightly injured while on her way to fight the blaze. Buyse is a member of the Red Feather Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, authorities said.
The loss of the cafe is a blow to the Red Feather Lakes area, said Jack Reynolds, a longtime resident and owner of the Hilltop General Store.
The community is 45 miles northwest of Fort Collins.
Besides being a local landmark, the eatery was gaining a reputation as a dining destination in northern Colorado, Reynolds said.
That was due to the co-owners of the business, Troy Buyse and chef Clint Ouellette.
“The food was so good,” Reynolds said. “Clint wasn’t just a short-order cook but could make beautiful dishes from just about anything.
“Losing the cafe is a real blow to us,” he said.
Carla McCandless, co-owner of the Red Feather Ranch, said Troy Buyse told her he lost everything in the fire. “I feel for those two guys, especially this time of year when tourist season is starting up,” McCandless said. “It will be a bad time for them.”
Staff photographer John Epperson contributed to this report.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
