A Story of the Renovation of the Tollgate Crossing Store
Many individuals head to the mountains for solitude and quiet, and some, in the process, find community.
The Tollgate Crossing Store, located at the top of Weston Mountain, is a restaurant, general store, and coffee shop that provides necessary supplies for the day-tripper, family weekend getaway, or professional mountaineer. The location is beloved by many families, as generations of locals and travelers have stopped at the picturesque lodge for amenities. Recently, the store has changed ownership, bringing a full renovation, a name change, and an exciting future for the offerings of the Tollgate community.
Formerly known as the Alpine Outpost, the Tollgate Crossing Store has been operational for decades, servicing the mountain’s needs for locals and travelers alike. The store was closed in 2018 when the former operators were looking to sell. It was purchased in the spring of 2023 by Trevor Abell and a months-long renovation ensued, reopening the doors in October of last year.
Abell, originally from central Oregon, spent time in the Blue Mountains with his late father and has nostalgic memories at Tollgate. After his father’s passing in 2019, Trevor began looking for a way to plant roots at Tollgate.
When the opportunity opened to purchase the store, Trevor seized the chance and began to dream of the future for the Tollgate Crossing Store, and other amenities soon to follow, allowing others to create memories in the Blue Mountains, as he once had.
“Our goal is to be the gateway to adventure,” says Abell. “We want people to come experience all that the Blue Mountains have to offer.”
The business is a multi-generational affair, as Trevor Abell’s son, Kaiden, and Kaiden’s fiancé Emily Schmidt (shown pictured), manage the store business and 5052 Mountain Eatery, the restaurant housed inside the store, named as a nod to the elevation of the business location.
Services are continuing to expand for the family’s business at Tollgate, as they’re now offering cabin rentals and concert events, known as Music on the Mountain. In the future, they look to add ATV and snowmobile rentals, further opening opportunities to experience the area.
In addition to servicing travelers, the renovations and new offerings are bringing opportunities for locals, as well. The gas pumps, formerly out of order, have been reinstated, allowing gas tanks to be filled without leaving the mountain.
The renovation also has created year-round job opportunities, employing over 12 staff members between the store and restaurant.
“I love working here. You can’t beat the commute!,” says Hatti Moss Houdak, an employee of the Tollgate Crossing. “I live on the mountain, about ten minutes away. It sure beats driving 45 minutes to go down the mountain for work.”
Above all, though, community is being formed amidst the walls of the renovated business.
“We’ve found that cabin owners up here have owned their places for over 20 years and are meeting each other for the first time at the restaurant,” says Abell. “It’s created a sense of community up here that didn’t exist before – it’s been pretty amazing to watch.”
The restaurant offers a limited weekday menu and a full spread of offerings on weekends, with a breakfast menu being added soon.
“It’s taken some time to figure out the flow for the business, depending on the time of year and day of the week.” says Schmidt. “Weekends are popular up here and we’re excited to start offering breakfast options.”
The Tollgate Crossing Store stands as more than an opportunity to fill fuel tanks and hungry bellies. The Abell family is creating powerful connections every day for visitors and residents, turning the Blue Mountains into memories - 1 customer at a time.
As the weather continues to warm up and summer plans come to fruition, consider a visit to the Tollgate Crossing Store for a hearty meal, caffeine fix, or tasty huckleberry ice cream, as you create powerful connections, turning your own trip up the mountain into a lasting memory.
Visit the Tollgate Crossing Store page on Facebook for information on rentals, events, and more.