A Nederland fixture since 2009, the New Moon Bakery & Café has been a gathering spot for coffee and pastry lovers through thick and thin, or, as owner Peter Stader puts it, “After 13 years I can still count “normal years” on just one hand. Fires, Floods, COVID.”
The idea of a local coffee shop came to Stader as he commuted from Ned to Boulder: “When I came to America 20 years ago, I learned to appreciate coffee shops, which we did not have in Germany at that time. I went to coffee shops and bakeries in Boulder on my way ‘down the hill’ to work. After visiting quite a lot of them I got a vision in my head how I would run a bakery/ coffee shop.”
The occasion finally arose in 2009. As Stader relates it, “The economy was down and I wanted to create jobs in our mountain community. So, I quit my job as chemical engineer and plant manager down in Boulder to make something happen in Ned. My former wife Monique already had experience as a coffee shop manager, so we put our skills, energy, and enthusiasm together and got to it.”
Soon the New Moon was baking daily, making warm sandwiches, providing local and direct trade coffee drinks “all served with a smile.” Later, CBDinfused drinks were added. But what really set the New Moon apart was “our artisan pastries, our locally roasted Nedroast, and the tight knit of our friendly team. Locally owned and operated and, of course, our established location right when you come into town doesn’t hurt.”
Regarding the bakery’s unique pastries, Stader points out, “My background as a chemical engineer helped adapt recipes to high altitude baking, relating to its challenges due to air pressure and the ever-changing humidity (or the lack of!).”
As warm and friendly as the Café is, during much of the year it’s the patio that is the draw for customers. Stader elaborates: “Adapting to our indoor limitations has been interesting, especially in the winter; however we now have outdoor heaters on our partially enclosed side patio, which is also a good place to get out of the wind. We have quickly adapted in the summer by expanding our outdoor patio seating…. In May we are going to open our new patio with more shade and more space to enjoy the view of the mountains and of course for ‘people watching.’”
“More” seems to be the theme for the New Moon. Once again, Stader relates, “We started extremely small and with limited opening hours and days. After the first year we were open every day with longer hours and started wholesaling to Boulder, Niwot, and Longmont. Later we expanded into the Neo’s area of the building, which gave us the opportunity to serve more food items. We doubled our patio size and last year added even more.”
And “more” includes staff, as well. There are about 10 in winter and 22 to 25 in summer. “We started with just two in our first winter, and are thrilled we are able to employ so many more within our community!”
“Community” is another key term for the Café. Stader points out that the favorite thing he’s able to do is “working with young people and taking care of my guests. Having the opportunity to support local organizations. Being creative to find incentives that appeal to my team and support other local businesses like, discounted vet-visits, yoga, acupuncture, massage and more.”
Of course, he does not take all the credit for the success of the New Moon. “Annie Zacaroli is with us since four years and the heart of New Moon in Ned. She managed a bagel shop in Boulder for a very long time before and her skills are what keeps New Moon driving forward.
Stader is particularly proud of the facts that the business is solar-powered and PACE certified.
“Sean O’Dell, Annie’s husband, is our head baker for almost five years, and his passion for baking and creating new menu items keeps our menu interesting. Our newest leadership team member is Caitlan. Caitlan has managed other coffee shops and got a little impression about the upcoming summer rush during FDGD 2022.” (That last comment seems just a little understated.)
While at one point Stader wholesaled his products into Boulder and the Denver area, for now “we are only up here. Due to COVID and the loss of wholesale customers we stopped wholesaling.”
Boulder’s loss is Peak to Peak’s gain.
You will find the New Moon Bakery&Caféat1W1sttStreetin Nederland. Check out their website at NewMoonBakery.com, and their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ newmoonbakeryandcafenederland. They are also on Instagram at @ newmoonbakeryandcafenederland. You can always call them at 303-258-3569.
Sponsored by the Town of Nederland, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
