Aspen's Ed Zane Builds Legacy Through Community

The sun rises over the Rocky Mountains, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets of Aspen. Locals and tourists alike begin to stir, grabbing coffee and chatting about the latest news and events. In a town where change is constant, one man has remained a steady presence - Ed Zane, the owner of several beloved bars and a fixture in the community.

He arrived in the early 1990s, a ski bum with a passion for adventure and a knack for building relationships. As he puts it, "I planned to finish my trip, spend the summer at the beach in New Jersey and come back for a year in the mountains." That year turned into a life, with Zane becoming a snowboard instructor, bartender, and eventually, a business owner.

Zane's story is one of perseverance and community - he's still "Coach" to the people around town. After graduating from the University of Delaware, he traveled the United States, eventually landing in Colorado, where friends from high school got him a job at the Timber Mill in Snowmass. He crashed on their couch, becoming a snowboard-ski bum, and the plan was to spend a year in the mountains before moving on. But Aspen had other plans for him.

As Zane recalls, "I had five or six jobs - Paragon, Caribou Club, electrical work, bartending - and eventually became a snowboard instructor for six or seven years." He traveled, taught English in Spain, and came back to the States, unsure of what was next. But when his old roommate called, offering him his old job back, Zane returned to Aspen, thinking he might pursue a teaching position. Instead, he bought a bar in Snowmass in 1997.

Snowmass in 1997 was a different time - the first few years were tough, with recessions and 9/11 hitting hard. There were times when Zane questioned staying open, but he persevered, always looking for the next opportunity. When he heard that McStorlie's was in trouble, he worked out a deal and took it over in 2006. The Willits location came later, right in the middle of COVID, but it's also his safety net, as he owns the building, giving him long-term security.

That's a huge point for local businesses in Aspen - the ones who survive long-term usually own something. As Zane notes, "If you don't own, or at least have a long-term deal, it can make you vulnerable. You can lose your livelihood just like that." In a town where staffing is always a challenge, Zane's approach is different - he runs lean, which means his staff has to hustle more, but the reward is greater. They don't share tips; instead, employees keep what they earn, but they do the work.

Zane's places have always felt genuinely local, which is different from just saying you cater to locals. As one conversation partner, Bryan, observes, "Your places have always felt genuinely local, which is different from just saying you cater to locals." Zane's secret to success lies in his ability to build relationships, to show up, and to be a part of the community. He's not just a business owner; he's a coach, a mentor, and a friend to many in Aspen.

The town is changing, with new developments and businesses popping up, but Zane remains a constant presence. His legacy is not just about the bars he's owned or the jobs he's created; it's about the people he's touched, the lives he's changed, and the community he's helped build. As the sun sets over the Rocky Mountains, casting a warm glow over the town, it's clear that Ed Zane's enduring legacy in Aspen is one of perseverance, community, and a deep love for the people and the place he calls home.

In the midst of all the change, Zane's story serves as a reminder that some things remain constant - the importance of community, the value of hard work, and the need for people to show up, to be present, and to care for one another. As the people of Aspen look to the future, they can draw inspiration from Zane's story, a story that's still being written, one day at a time.

The streets of Aspen are quiet now, the sun having dipped below the horizon, but the town is still alive, still buzzing with energy and possibility. And in the midst of it all, Ed Zane remains, a steady presence, a reminder of the power of perseverance and community.