Brian and Charlie Coates took over management of Mountain Home Stove and Fireplace this year and are eager to continue a 22-year tradition of service.
“The services we provide are not changing. Our staff, workforce, everything is the same,” Brian said. “We’re excited and enthusiastic to be here and we want to work effectively with everyone, whether you live downtown and you’re using an old gas-fired unit to heat your home or you’ve just moved to the valley and want to build your dream home with a great view and a great location. We want to be able to serve everyone.”
2620 S. Copper Frontage Road, Unit 6B, Mountain Home Stoves and Fireplaces was founded by Wolf Bennett in 2002 and ran the business with partner Jackie Bulatovic for the past five years. The pair sold the business to Coates in January.
The Coateses are new to the industry, but not new to the valley. Brian and Charlie lived and worked in Craig for six years before moving to Steamboat Springs four years ago. Brian works as an engineering manager at Coloyo Mine, and Charlie runs his own accounting firm. The couple have two children, Hazel, 8, and Hallie, 5.
For many years, Brian had to commute from Steamboat Springs to Meeker for work, but last year he began looking for business opportunities that would allow him to spend less time commuting and more time with his family and in the area where he lives.
When he found out Mountain Home Stove and Fireplace was for sale, he began serious discussions about purchasing the business, and because the company was also one of Charlie’s clients, the Coateses already had a good feel for the business.
“This seemed like a comfortable challenge that would keep me busy, be close to home and have a promising future,” Brian said. “Everything fell into place so we knew this was our future and decided to jump in with both feet. Right or wrong, whichever it may be. We think it’s financially viable, so we’re going to do everything we can to make it work.”
Bennett also said the Coateses are the right fit and will continue to be involved with the business during the transition. Bennett said it’s important to him that the Coateses are successful and that the business he started continues to thrive in the Yampa Valley.
“I don’t want to just sit back and watch the day go by,” said Bennett, who has lived in the Yampa Valley for nearly 30 years. “I know people who retire, and they stop being active and they die.”
Bennett said he has other plans and will still be teaching spin classes at the hospital, he also bought a house in Craig that he is renovating, and he plans to continue installing wood and gas stoves, sweeping chimneys and maintaining and repairing stoves as needed.
Bennett is confident the Coateses will be successful in the business he’s built.
“Charlie did the accounting for us. She worked with my partner and did the bookkeeping and stuff, so when it was acquired, she knew the business really well,” Bennett said. “Brian is the key person, so to speak. He’s really smart and a fast learner. I’m really happy that it’s been acquired by someone who wants to build the business up and make it even better and be here for a long time. They want to make Steamboat a better place. And they’re both really good people.”
John F. Russell is a business reporter for Steamboat Pilot & Today. He can be reached at 970-871-4209, emailed at jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com or followed on Twitter at @Framp1966.
