The Hog and The Hen: New Market, Deli and House of Spirits in Downtown Grand Junction
Photos by Dylan Hardy
The Hog and The Hen has a simple mission statement: Be a market, deli and liquor store that makes your day better. Located in downtown Grand Junction, The Hog and The Hen is a perfect fit with the Grand Valley’s wine, produce and culinary communities. Combining years of culinary expertise with a constantly evolving stock of over 60 cheeses and 45 types of meat, owners Cooper and Mary Hall offer education, variety and excellence to the Grand Valley food scene.
Originally from Aspen, the Halls realized they wanted to open a market while helping Cooper’s family open the Candy Time Shoppe on Grand Junction’s Main Street. Everything aligned for The Hog and The Hen as the candy store moved to a location down the street, leaving the charming corner store vacant.
Aside from the perfect location of the store, the outdoors brought the Halls to the Valley, including mountain biking, dirt biking and winter sports within a few miles. The space is split into a market and deli and has a separate store for selling spirits. Since it opened in 2019, The Hog and The Hen has continued to expand its inventory and grow as a presence in Western Colorado.
The market’s goal is to make fancy food attainable by infusing staple foods like sandwiches and snacks with high quality, unique products. The staff at The Hog and The Hen exist to educate shoppers on the newest arrivals, the ideal wine pairing for a type of meat and to bring Colorado brands to Grand Junction. Ultimately, the market aims to help customers enjoy the experience of purchasing and eating fine foods.
The speed and ease of picking up a sandwich are juxtaposed with culinary genius. From the Plenty O’ Fish (featuring goldfish crackers and pole-and-line-caught white albacore) to the Barnyard (ham, turkey, roast beef and cheese), the deli’s creative combinations are perfect for any occasion.
The market houses numerous Colorado-based brands, and new products are constantly coming in based on customer requests or new brand discoveries. Often, Grand Valley produce and wine are included with the market’s seasonal offerings. The expansive selection also includes Colorado companies like Elevation and Il Porilpocellino, both boasting experimental cured meats, and regular sourdough deliveries from Bake Sale Bread Company and Paonia Bread Works. Additional seasonal favorites are a necessity, like this holiday season’s triple cream brie with black truffle. The Hall’s knowledge shines in their menu pairings and custom charcuterie boards. The market even offers charcuterie consultations to create the perfect match for every customer’s gathering.
Cooper said it best: “People dig it!” The Hog and The Hen has brought the community together in the shared experience of new food. As first-time business owners, the Halls saw a need in the Valley and filled it perfectly. To them, nothing is more gratifying than picturing a family enjoying a board or educating a customer on a new product. From hearing praise from appreciative customers to sharing their creations at family gatherings, The Hog and The Hen’s mission has undoubtedly succeeded in introducing the community to quality food.
Originally published in the Spring 2021 issue