Interior: A view of the interior of the store including decor of the wild west and a wood stove used for heating. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Locals: Visitors are welcomed by several locals in the entrance to The Rand Store. Abundant wildlife can be found throughout the North Park area and surrounding mountains. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Los Alamos

Rand, Colo., is a tiny spot on the road but The Rand Store is a must stop.

Rand, Colo. is on Highway 125 between Granby, Colo. and Walden, Colo. Rand is in an area known as North Park, a high altitude valley surrounded by high mountain peaks. Ranching is very prevalent, but the spectacular scenery also attracts a large number of tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

This store has evolved over the years since the building was constructed in the 1800s. The facility has been a stage stop, general store, hotel and cafe, and a convenience store including gas sales.

Today, none of the mentioned businesses exists but a unique gift shop with a wide variety of gifts, household items, and a large selection of books, maps and travel guides.

The Rand Store is operated by Sandy and Don Teem today. Sandy has owned the store since 1972, 48 years! She has lived and worked through many of the changes over those years.

Because of severe winter weather, The Rand Store is closed from November through May. Shoppers can shop on the store’s website year-round at www.TheRandStore.com.

Editor’s note: Longtime Los Alamos photographer Gary Warren and his wife Marilyn are traveling around the country and he shares his photographs, which appear in the ‘Posts from the Road’ series published in the Sunday edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post.

Counter Work: Don Teem works behind the counter during a recent visit to The Rand Store. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Sandy & Don: Sandy and Don Teem pose for a photo in their store in Rand, Colo. Sandy has owned The Rand Store for 48 years. The store offers a wide variety of merchandise ranging from gift items, holiday items, shirts and a large selection of books, maps, and guides. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Nice Touch: Jugs of drinking water are shaded in the A-framed sign, which sits in front of the store. The water is for bicyclists who ride through the North Park area. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com