Ruxton's Trading Post — Local services in Manitou Springs

Owner is quite rude. Will not visit again. EDITED TO ADD: It’s a shame to see a longtime business owner in a small tourist town feel he needs to attack a patron of his business and community. I have long loved visiting Manitou, often browsed through his store, and have always told friends and colleagues that they should visit the Ruxton Trading post while they are in town. They have great hats! I like their dogs! What a sad way to find out that the owner feels he controls not just his business, but the street in front of it, and feels a need to police tourists in his town. If I had been aware that I was not allowed to park on the street for the incline, I would not have done so. I admit that I made a mistake of ignorance. When a random man who has been leering at you for ten minutes demands to know where you’ve been without introducing himself, though, you might decline to be interrogated, too. I paid to park in that spot. I was delighted that it was in front of Ruxton’s so I could browse through after my hike. My enthusiasm was misplaced. My review stands. The owner is rude. He made me uncomfortable while in his business, on a public street, and visiting a town I usually love. He did not greet me when I entered his store. He stared me down as I stood by my car. He did not identify himself before demanding where I had been. I would not suggest interacting with him, and I will caution my colleagues at, yes, The North Face, who love the outdoors and often visit Manitou, to avoid his business. I have spent my career in retail. A little kindness goes a long way. You might not know who has silently been your supporter for years until you attack them for parking...

I enjoyed first meeting the dogs, then exploring, then visiting with the happy dogs again. MANY, MANY interesting things to look at. Would be great to be able to buy many more things there. I dropped by twice in just a few days because there were so many great things to see. Mike & Gretchen were friendly & nice to talk to. Oddly enough, this is where I found a really special, rare, vintage MASI handbuilt racebike that also happened to be my exact size! My understanding was that it had been there for years, with several people talking about buying it (but then flake) but now I own it & enjoy it every day! I would recommend this shop to anybody in the area. Could count on just about anyone being able to find something great for yourself, or for a fantastic gift. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Manitou.....also sorta' fun to see 2 of the items I purchased in the collection of photos...

Similar to many reviews here, the petty owners need to mind their business. The three parking spaces in front of Ruxton's Trading Post are PAID PUBLIC parking spaces. @Ruxton's owners, these parking spaces are not dedicated for your shop. If you want dedicated parking for Ruxton's, move locations! When I pay I can go do whatever I like for two hours. Do not come out and confront me about what I'm doing and harass me because it doesn't align with how you want the PAID PUBLIC parking spaces to be used. This is none of your business, leave me alone.

@Everyone else reading this, these parking spaces are available to you! Ignore Ruxton's lurking owners who claim and govern the PAID PUBLIC parking spaces as their own. If you pay to park here go do whatever you like, including popping into Ruxton's if they don't interrogate you...