Throttle and Thread offers a fresh take on community space

Over the summer, Gunnison welcomed a new community space into the Mountain Meadows Mall. Throttle and Thread is a hobby-focused space that produces fun for all ages.

Cole Thomas moved to Gunnison about 10 years ago to study Recreation and Outdoor Education at Western Colorado University. He graduated in 2018 before helping to start Butte Bagels in Crested Butte, which later expanded into Butte Burgers.

Throttle and Thread grew out of a desire to create more recreational options for people in the Valley, especially during cold, snowless stretches where outdoor activities are limited. Thomas and his wife, Mel, wanted a place where people could spend time together without alcohol or other substances being the focus and have no intention of getting a liquor license. Drawing on Thomas’s own experiences as a teenager, they hope the space provides people of all ages with a safe, welcoming place to explore new interests, build skills, and make friends.

“It’s a way to establish a community for people who want an alternative to going out to the bars and stuff,” said Thomas. “It’s not a judgment thing, but just another space for all ages to enjoy. We have a lot of teenagers that come in here and hang out. I would have loved something like this when I was a teenager.”

Throttle and Thread is a blend of Thomas and Mel’s hobbies and interests. The open concept features a RC car track and free-to-use community tables for crafting, building, and more. Anyone can use the arts-and-crafts area and the donated art supplies and board games for free, bring their own projects, or purchase beginner-friendly craft kits.

“I’ve got ADHD like crazy, so I’ll pick something up and get really into it for a while, then leave it sit forever and I probably won’t touch it again,” said Thomas. “So the crafts that we sell here are meant to be completed in four hours at most so you don’t have to overcommit to a hobby.”

A donated community-use 3D printer is also available. They are scheduled to start a weekly linoleum printmaking class in mid-November, led by a Throttle and Thread employee.

For racing enthusiasts, the venue has a full-motion racing simulation with nine feet of wraparound screens. It offers a direct drive steering wheel, a hydraulic pedal setup, and the platform moves and tilts to reflect the driving experience. The sim can be rented for $30 for a half hour or $45 for a full hour, which is competitive pricing in the racing sim market.

Visitors can also rent, purchase or bring their own hobby-grade RC cars and use the indoor racing track both for and outside of organized racing events. Throttle and Thread also offers memberships for both RC track time and sim racing. Monday night RC car races bring in some friendly competition and winners are awarded with some cool prizes.

“We always have little community events outside of the building,” said Thomas. “On Sundays we take our cars and race at places like the skate park or the ice rink. It’s fun and keeps things interesting.”

In the community area are two pool tables, generously donated by community members. One is currently free to use while it awaits refelting; the other costs $3 per game or $10 for an hour.

The upstairs loft serves as a free-to-use Japanese-style tea room for studying, working, or relaxing. The tea room offers a place for people who might just want to relax and hang out rather than participate in the downstairs activities. Thomas is passionate about tea and serves different types from around the world including a Kung fu style tea, a traditional, informal Chinese tea preparation method that involves many short steepings that create new aromas and flavor profiles with every cup.

The shop carries international snacks, including different varieties of Oreos, chips, mochi, ramen, and candy.

Though they started with a limited budget, they are gradually growing the business, reinvesting in improvements and new activities as resources allow.

The community response has been very positive. Community members have donated equipment and supplies, such as the art supplies and pool tables, and some regulars have spent money just to spend money and support Throttle and Thread.

“The people have been so awesome,” said Thomas. “The reception has been great, and we’ve grown this really cool community. I know there are a lot of people in this town that have a similar story to mine and want to help out and have helped us create something meaningful, so we’re super thankful for everything.”