HOOPER — The banner outside the Hooper Junction — Ruby Rose reads, "Cheapest Gas in Hooper." True. It is, of course, the only gas in Hooper. The wit is the brainchild of new owner Anjelica Quintana.

Over a cup of fine coffee that Quintana procures from Fort Collins-based Mi Cultura Coffee, the La Jara native spoke to this reporter about her love of food, coffee, and the business she opened about three weeks ago.

The roadhouse is on Highway 17 in Hooper, features fresh baked goods and will serve breakfast and lunch dishes next month.

Quintana has meals to go that her catering company Prep Fuel makes, "From as much local as we can, we use Blue Range Ranch for our beef, San Luis Farms for our pork, and we work with the Rio Grande Farm Park, and Valley Roots Food Hub."

Currently, "Fresh cinnamon rolls, fresh scones with seasonal ingredients including organic peaches are available," said Quintana. "We try to use organic as much as possible."

In the works is a small convenience store that will be adjacent to the cafe and will feature locally produced foods.

"This is a food desert, we are going to include eggs, bread, and meat so people can save a trip to Alamosa," she said.

Slated for next month will be breakfast and lunch prepared under the auspices of Chef Jennifer Riddle, "She is a very well-known chef in the area — she is amazing and is well loved. We will serve down-home food with a twist on the healthy."

The exterior of the building sports new signage (including a rose) painted by Alamosa artist Cari Conari.

"Cari totally nailed it, she did exactly what we wanted," said Quintana

The Hooper Junction — Ruby Rose is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on Sundays.