The iconic Colorado Cherry Company had both its locations cut off by damage from the recent floods but has found a way to continue serving its customers.

“We went from income to no income overnight,” said co-owner Kristi Lehnert of Milliken.

With locations in the Big Thompson Canyon and in Lyons, both of which were areas hit hard by the flood, the owners faced a dilemma: shut down and cut off their customers’ supply and their income or find temporary locations to set up shop.

“Both of our stores were affected by the floods and weren’t getting any help from insurance. We were looking for somewhere we could not only serve customers, but also stay in business,” Kristi said. “We couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.”

If You Go What: Colorado Cherry Company grand reopening. When: 1 p.m. Monday. Where: 12311 N. St. Vrain Drive, Pinewood Springs. Info: Free coffee, cookies and hot cider will be served at the reopening. See a story about a puppy born in the days after the flood to a dog owned by one of the store’s employees on page A3. Website: ColoradoCherryCompany.com.

For their Loveland area customers, they opted to sell a limited selection of their products at a stand in the Barnes & Noble parking lot at Centerra in Loveland. They hope to soon move into an indoor space in the Promenade Shops at Centerra.

“Centerra, the reception and clientele has been amazing. So we’ll probably find a location in this area to set up shop until (U.S.) 34 is opened. It’s been humbling and encouraging how supportive people have been,” Kristi said.

She said though sales have seen an expected drop, and despite having a more limited selection for their customers to choose from, their sales have been steady and the support has given Kristi and co-owner Anthony Lehnert something to be thankful for.

“Obviously sales have been down,” she said. “But I’m grateful. Any sales is better than no sales. And it’s been growing since people have known we are at Centerra.”

When customers come looking for a very specific product, Kristi said odds are that they don’t have it in stock, but they are happy to recommend another tasty treat, which many times customers are happy to purchase, “to make sure we make it.”

“I really like this place and I heard it got flooded, so I’m glad they set up here,” said Twyla Letourneau of Loveland who made some purchases Sunday at the Centerra stand.

The store has been set up in the parking lot there for three weekends so far, and Steven Pierce, who operated the stand, said business has been decent.

“Some days are better than others, but for the most part, it’s been decently steady,” he said. “We have a pretty loyal customer base, so when people found out we were here, we had a lot of people buying $40-50 worth of stuff, which we really appreciate.”

Pierce said Anthony has hiked up to their Big Thompson Canyon location on a few occasions and has reported that the store, for the most part, has been left undamaged.

“They’re like a second family to me and if anyone is worthy of not getting flooded-out, (it’s them),” he said. He has worked for the family’s company for five years.

While U.S. 34 remains closed, U.S. 36 to Lyons is reopening Monday. To celebrate the occasion, Colorado Cherry Company is hosting a 1 p.m. ribbon cutting and grand reopening event at their location at 12311 N. St. Vrain Drive, Pinewood Springs.

“It’s going to be a pretty big deal. I think the governor said he is going to be there,” Kristi said. “We’re excited to have 36 open and we’re grateful that we have the Centerra location.”

Crews on U.S. 34 are working to meet a rebuilding deadline of Dec. 1, a projection many people like Kristi hope they will meet. Until then, Kristi said, “We just gotta hang on.”

The company’s Loveland location will continue selling their goods 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays in the parking lot at 5835 Sky Pond Drive. Their Pinewood Springs location is open as of 8 a.m. today.

“We’re a fourth generation family business and people are used to us and to have us go away overnight, it’s just not good for the people we serve,” Kristi said. “We’re thankful for every dollar we make.”

James Garcia can be reached at 970-635-3630 or garciaj@reporter-herald.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JamesGarciaRH.