“I get asked a lot what my measure of success is,” Salto Coffee owner Karina Luscher shares. “And to me, it’s what I feel while I’m here seeing people relaxing and enjoying themselves.” A quick glance around the expansive open space and you immediately feel what Luscher knows––Salto is the social hub of Nederland. “We’re not struggling to reach our bottom line, we’ve made it, so now our success is the feeling we give people when they come here.”
Nestled in the heart of downtown Nederland, Salto is hard to miss. The mocha-colored coffee shop shares a patio with its sister business, Tin Shed Sports, which Luscher opened with her husband Marcus in 2012. The coffee shop's name, meaning "leap or jump," perfectly captures the audacity it took to create something so exceptional in this small mountain community. Despite numerous challenges––from floods in 2013 to fires and canyon closures in the following years––Salto’s importance in Nederland grew along with Luscher’s resolve.
So when the pandemic hit, Luscher saw Salto's spacious layout as a way to keep her staff safely employed while continuing to serve the community. "We had live music on the patio, we served coffee and food out the windows––we would even bring food to your car!” Luscher beams. Salto’s adaptability made it the heart of the social-distance scene, creating a sense of belonging for the politically weary and socially deprived. “The community that I live in and support gathered here, and that felt really good,” Luscher shares.
Beyond the comforting ambiance, the quality of Salto’s on-site roasted coffee is what sets it apart. "I'll never forget the day when I perfected our Salto blend. After eight months of dialing in the flavor profile, I finally found the right balance: hints of fruit, molasses, and a bit of that savory cinnamon element that comes from Sumatra in the blend––I wanted to create coffee that was a really happy experience from start to finish––and oh my god we did it!”
Salto’s coffee roasting program, now led by roaster Rob Langone, is expanding to include online coffee orders. “We’re even making the morning routine smoother for skiers heading to Eldora,” Luscher says. “Soon, you’ll be able to pre-order breakfast online and pick it up on your way to the slopes––and we include a drink gift card in each order so after you’re done skiing, you can come in and relax.”
This type of forward-thinking entrepreneurship is what has made Luscher a nurturing leader for other female business owners in the community. In the decade since Salto opened its doors, the food scene in Nederland has been elevated to include staples like Crosscut Pizzeria & Taphouse (which started as a mobile pizza oven on Salto’s patio), Kaleidoscope Kitchen and Decent Bagel. “The women business owners in Nederland are extremely supportive and connected,” Luscher shares.
The same can be said for Luscher’s employees, whom she credits for being the secret to her success. “I’m really fortunate, my staff is absolutely stellar. The guys at Tin Shed are some of the best bike mechanics and salespeople in Boulder County––if not Colorado. And Jen, our manager, has been with Salto for seven years. Every employee has left a thumbprint on this place, making it better, inspiring me and teaching me the best life lessons I could ask for.”
The staff brings a calm atmosphere to an otherwise over-caffeinated environment. People come to Salto because they want more than food and drink––they want to be in that relaxing environment. Luscher recognized this and now hosts events like private weddings, corporate team-building experiences (facilitated with Tin Shed) and five-course dinners with wine pairings. “My husband and I got married in a barn, and I just loved it––I thought, this is such a great place to have people gather. What if our shop could encompass that?" And that is what Luscher has done––she’s created a place where people can gather and grow.