High Plains Spice Company
B.J. and Lacey New have always had a great passion for food, both for cooking and for eating, so the idea of something in the culinary realm just came naturally. Recognizing a trend in the food industry that included more spices and flavors in home cooking, and being adventurous eaters themselves, the couple decided to try their hand at creating seasoning blends.
After creating their first blends at their kitchen table and testing packaging and products on family and friends, B.J. and Lacey began attending craft fairs and offering products online. After a very positive reception, they concluded that a retail location would lend legitimacy and increased productivity to the business. High Plains Spice Company opened on Oct. 25, 2013 at 312 Main St. in Sterling.
In the spring of 2014, HPSC was awarded a grant from the El Pomar Foundation after winning the top prize in Northeastern Junior College’s Business to College business plan competition. The grant allowed the company to expand current product lines and streamline many production processes.
In the following years, many more products, including olive oils and balsamic vinegars, BBQ and soy sauces, hot sauces, pickled olives, cocoa mixes, and many more spices and seasoning blends have been added to the shop’s core offerings of spices, blends, coffee and loose-leaf tea, as well as unique kitchen utensils. Additionally, HPSC partners with local producers to include products like pickles, Bloody Mary mix, BBQ sauce, and local honey.
In fall of 2015, High Plains Spice Company further increased their product offerings by opening High Plains Winery (HPW) inside High Plains Spice Company. As a Limited Winery, HPW can make up to 100,000 gallons of wine, as well as carry wines produced in the state of Colorado. HPW currently offers between 13 and 15 different wine varieties, all made right here in Sterling.
In September of 2022, High Plains Spice Company opened a second location in Flagler. This location features a full retail store and serves as the company’s base of operations for their online and corporate gifting sales. At present, HPSC has seen great growth in online and corporate gift sales and is taking steps to continue to expand these areas of the business. In addition, they continue to add new products and create new seasoning blends and are planning to greatly expand their loose-leaf tea offerings in the coming months.
High Plains Spice Company celebrated their 10year anniversary in October of last year. They are very grateful for all the support from Sterling and the surrounding communities and can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring!
Stop in at High Plains Spice Company for “free smells” at 312 Main St. in Sterling or call 866-5701425. Visit their website, www.highplainsspicecompany.com, and their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/highplainsspice/.
Please join the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in congratulating High Plains Spice Company as this week’s Member of the Week and tying our community together!