The Starlight Lounge in Durango has a new owner.
Selena McCranie, the bar’s longtime manager, recently transitioned into ownership, making her the only female tribal member to own a business on Durango’s Main Avenue, according to her and former owner Rick Carney.
“I felt awesome about it – confident and excited – because, you know, the Southern Ute Reservation is not too far away from here, and being able to have that local side of our area come by more often is exciting,” McCranie said.
McCranie, a longtime area resident, started as the Starlight’s manager about three years ago. The possibility of becoming the owner took shape as she took on more responsibilities.
Carney, who opened the bar 18 years ago, is now in his mid-60s and decided it was time to pass his legacy forward.
In January, Carney handed McCranie the keys to the Starlight.
“I love Selena. We have a great relationship, and I want to see her be successful,” Carney said.
But he is not stepping away entirely from the business he calls his “baby.” Carney is staying on to help McCranie navigate the challenges of first-time business ownership, which she said has been a huge help.
The past three months have been “intense,” and she has faced a steep learning curve. McCranie said the biggest challenge has been learning the legal minutiae of running a business.
McCranie grew up on the Southern Ute Reservation and graduated from Ignacio High School before working at a local car company and several bars in the Durango area.
Owning a business has been her lifelong goal.
There is a lot of value in working for oneself, she said, adding that she also wants to help the community as much as she can. Owning a business bolsters her ability to give back.
For now, there won’t be any major changes to the Durango bar, which has become a local staple.
McCranie and Carney are working on some remodeling, and although she has big ideas, she wants to establish herself before implementing them.
Although McCranie said being a member of the Southern Ute Tribe is a large part of her identity, she does not plan to integrate that identity into the bar’s branding.
“I don't necessarily want to push Native American drinking,” she said, “but what I do want to push is helping out with the community as much as I can and giving back.”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
