Hardware Showroom and Coffee Shop Hybrid Opens in Durango

Owner Nathaniel Winkler combines his passions for metalworking and community in unique new business venture.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A miniature, stylized 3D illustration of a coffee shop and hardware showroom with a working forge, featuring polished metal hardware pieces, coffee cups, and baked goods in a vibrant, editorial composition.The Blacksmith Café in Durango blends the craftsmanship of metalworking with the community-building power of a local coffee shop.Durango Today

Nathaniel Winkler, owner of Element Hardware, has opened a hybrid brick-and-mortar business in Durango, Colorado that combines a coffee shop and hardware showroom. The Blacksmith Café features a working forge where Winkler and his team create handmade hardware items for sale, as well as a full coffee shop menu and community gathering space.

Why it matters

This unique business model brings together Winkler's expertise in metalworking, food and beverage, and community-building. It represents a creative approach to small business that aims to engage customers through hands-on experiences and an emphasis on locally-sourced, high-quality products.

The details

The Blacksmith Café offers coffee, non-coffee drinks, pastries, and breakfast items, as well as a selection of handmade hardware pieces created on-site by Winkler and his team of blacksmiths. Customers can watch live blacksmithing demonstrations and even take entry-level forging classes. The cafe only accepts cash tips to avoid the expectation of tipping on counter service orders.

  • The Blacksmith Café opened on April 1, 2026.
  • The first two-hour blacksmithing class is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 25, 2026.

The players

Nathaniel Winkler

The owner of Element Hardware, who has combined his metalworking business with a new coffee shop and community space called the Blacksmith Café.

Johanna Winkler

Nathaniel's wife, who runs the day-to-day operations of the coffee shop portion of the Blacksmith Café.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a culmination of bringing aspects of two things that I've done that have been important to me in my life together.”

— Nathaniel Winkler, Owner, Element Hardware

“We don't do tips on credit cards, because for counter service, I feel like that's gotten out of hand. You go in for counter service and they're like, 'Do you want to tip 18% or 25%?' and it's like, 'What?'”

— Nathaniel Winkler, Owner, Element Hardware

What’s next

Winkler plans to continue offering blacksmithing classes at the Blacksmith Café, with the first one scheduled for April 25. He is also exploring ways to further integrate the hardware and coffee shop elements of the business to create a unique and engaging customer experience.

The takeaway

The Blacksmith Café represents a creative approach to small business that combines Winkler's passions for metalworking, community, and quality local products. By offering hands-on experiences and an emphasis on locally-sourced goods, the hybrid business model aims to attract and retain customers in Durango's competitive retail landscape.