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Scott DeGraff
“Whether you’re a ski bum, a long-time resident, a newcomer to the area or a billionaire – as long as you’re a person who loves to have fun –you’re going to be happy at Junk and Liquid Sky,” explained Aspen resident Scott DeGraff, owner of the soon-to-be Snowmass hot spot.
Is his concept untraditional by Snowmass Village standards?
Probably. Is the entire community behind the wacky ideas which appear around every corner of the new building’s makeup? Probably not. (Features include outdoor fire pits for roasting S’mores, state-of-the-art LED lighting systems, television screens that magically appear through a giant mirror almost taking up an entire wall, as well as all-weather outdoor flatscreen televisions that you can “hose down,” multiple DJ booths...the list goes on)
There are plenty of naysayers who do not support what DeGraff is trying to accomplish. Sure, it might not be for everyone. But it’s possible that when you’re skiing or riding down Fanny Hill this coming winter, past the Village Express, towards the Elk Camp Gondola for one last run on an epic day and see fellow powder hounds retired on comfortable couches, under warming heaters, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate or a frosty brew, perhaps the naysayers will find it welcoming.
DeGraff’s plans call for something which Snowmass has yet to see. Creating “high profile” establishments has been a passion of his for about 20 years, give or take, as he has played major roles in owning, operating or opening restaurants and clubs throughout the country (and yes, by now we all know of his role in the opening of the Playboy Club at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas).
“I realize Snowmass Village is not Las Vegas,” DeGraff said. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t offer people something new and exciting to do, whether it be with friends or family. It is a sizzle of Vegas, but it’s been mountainized. I cherish this place (the valley), it’s my home, I just wanted to create a place where everyone can have fun, and say “WOW,” a place where I can take my own family.”
In a July Snowmass Village Town Council meeting this issue was discussed, and council members seemed to be welcoming to most of DeGraff’s ideas, except for a concept which called for three outdoor metal tree sculptures which would have spouted gas-fed flames. DeGraff accepted the council’s decline with little argument.
“The people of the town, Snowmass Village Town Council, along with Related WestPac, have been great to work with,” said DeGraff. “Very fair people.”
The fact of the matter is that this place will be different than most in Snowmass, and Aspen for that matter.
“I’ll go out on a limb here,” said DeGraff, “this place will place will be the best après ski spot in Aspen/ Snowmass. Now I know, and acknowledge that Snowmass is not Aspen. Aspen will always be Aspen, and Snowmass is always going to be Snowmass, and that’s a good thing. But what we’re building in Junk and Liquid Sky, Aspen just doesn’t have.”
The plan is for the two establishments, located one on top of the other (about 10,000 square feet in all), to be open in December for the holiday season. (They’ll be located in the brown building adjacent to the Red Barn.) Breakfast will be offered, starting at about 7:30 a.m., and, as of now, will stay open until maybe 10 p.m., depending on what the demand is.
“We’re putting our hearts and souls into this place right now,” said DeGraff. “Not a lot of people who are working on this project are sleeping much, and our hard work will show once the ski season rolls around. This place is going to be for everyone to enjoy, and to have fun, that’s my biggest emphasis, is to just have fun. If you want to just have a burger and a cheap beer or shot of tequila, fine. If you want a gourmet meal with a pricey bottle of wine or champagne, that’s fine too. This is a place for everyone.”
Mike Canino’s e-mail address is mcanino@snowmasssun.com
Is his concept untraditional by Snowmass Village standards?
Probably. Is the entire community behind the wacky ideas which appear around every corner of the new building’s makeup? Probably not. (Features include outdoor fire pits for roasting S’mores, state-of-the-art LED lighting systems, television screens that magically appear through a giant mirror almost taking up an entire wall, as well as all-weather outdoor flatscreen televisions that you can “hose down,” multiple DJ booths...the list goes on)
There are plenty of naysayers who do not support what DeGraff is trying to accomplish. Sure, it might not be for everyone. But it’s possible that when you’re skiing or riding down Fanny Hill this coming winter, past the Village Express, towards the Elk Camp Gondola for one last run on an epic day and see fellow powder hounds retired on comfortable couches, under warming heaters, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate or a frosty brew, perhaps the naysayers will find it welcoming.
DeGraff’s plans call for something which Snowmass has yet to see. Creating “high profile” establishments has been a passion of his for about 20 years, give or take, as he has played major roles in owning, operating or opening restaurants and clubs throughout the country (and yes, by now we all know of his role in the opening of the Playboy Club at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas).
“I realize Snowmass Village is not Las Vegas,” DeGraff said. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t offer people something new and exciting to do, whether it be with friends or family. It is a sizzle of Vegas, but it’s been mountainized. I cherish this place (the valley), it’s my home, I just wanted to create a place where everyone can have fun, and say “WOW,” a place where I can take my own family.”
In a July Snowmass Village Town Council meeting this issue was discussed, and council members seemed to be welcoming to most of DeGraff’s ideas, except for a concept which called for three outdoor metal tree sculptures which would have spouted gas-fed flames. DeGraff accepted the council’s decline with little argument.
“The people of the town, Snowmass Village Town Council, along with Related WestPac, have been great to work with,” said DeGraff. “Very fair people.”
The fact of the matter is that this place will be different than most in Snowmass, and Aspen for that matter.
“I’ll go out on a limb here,” said DeGraff, “this place will place will be the best après ski spot in Aspen/ Snowmass. Now I know, and acknowledge that Snowmass is not Aspen. Aspen will always be Aspen, and Snowmass is always going to be Snowmass, and that’s a good thing. But what we’re building in Junk and Liquid Sky, Aspen just doesn’t have.”
The plan is for the two establishments, located one on top of the other (about 10,000 square feet in all), to be open in December for the holiday season. (They’ll be located in the brown building adjacent to the Red Barn.) Breakfast will be offered, starting at about 7:30 a.m., and, as of now, will stay open until maybe 10 p.m., depending on what the demand is.
“We’re putting our hearts and souls into this place right now,” said DeGraff. “Not a lot of people who are working on this project are sleeping much, and our hard work will show once the ski season rolls around. This place is going to be for everyone to enjoy, and to have fun, that’s my biggest emphasis, is to just have fun. If you want to just have a burger and a cheap beer or shot of tequila, fine. If you want a gourmet meal with a pricey bottle of wine or champagne, that’s fine too. This is a place for everyone.”
Mike Canino’s e-mail address is mcanino@snowmasssun.com
