By: Jaxon Lee 

Two high-profile projects have been shaping the chatter in Montrose: on the corner of East Main and Cascade in downtown, two new restaurants will open in the former Daily Bread site, and nearby, a boutique hotel, with a club concept, is planned for the old City Hall and Fire Station buildings.

First to open will be Ms So (pronounced Miss So), a modern-Asian street-food concept that has been quietly testing the waters with a food-truck run at The Association. A soft opening is planned for late November, with a full launch in early December. Next year, Persimmon — a refined, farm-to-table Asian grill — will debut in the same beautifully restored corner property.

The Group Behind this expansion

These ventures are the latest investments from Typhoon Group, a Hong Kong-based global holding company active in hospitality, real estate, farming, and wellness, now expanding its footprint in Montrose. CEO Alia Eyres describes Typhoon as “purpose-driven” in its portfolio choices. For Montrose, the arrival of these projects signals something rare: an internationally connected team of hospitality leaders choosing to plant roots in a small Western Slope city, not as a trial market, but as a long-term commitment.

At the center of Typhoon Group’s investment into Montrose is Typhoon Hospitality, the arm overseeing the new restaurants and hotel. Their guiding idea—radical hospitality—asserts that exceptional design, inventive cuisine, and meaningful human bonds can converge to uplift guests and strengthen the community. “Memorable experiences can redefine a town,” Eyres says. “We’re building Montrose into a beacon of hospitality excellence for the Western Slope.”

Mastering The Realms Of Hospitality

Currently based in Hong Kong, Edward Read, General Manager of Typhoon Hospitality, is leading the concept’s vision. Read began his career as a waiter for the renowned restaurant. He progressed through the Corporate Management Training Program—a comprehensive 18-month program designed to develop future leaders. After completing the program, he was assigned to a management role at a prestigious hotel in Ireland. Over the years, Read has steadily advanced through the ranks. ‘Our industry is very tough, but gratifying; hard work pays off,’ Read says. A veteran of luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La, and Mandarin Oriental, Read previously ran one of Asia’s largest private member clubs—the Aberdeen Marina Club in Hong Kong, overseeing hundreds of staff and thousands of members. He is now building Typhoon Hospitality’s service culture for the group.

Core Principles For Success

“Genuine hospitality is from the heart,” Read says. “We want to engage guests and forge emotional connections that leave lasting impressions.” He delineates the company’s distinction with two pillars: training and empowerment, both of which he plans to bring to Montrose through the new restaurants and hotel.

For Read, training is ongoing, not a one-off event. It includes daily briefings, tastings, and feedback loops to ensure staff are familiar with the menu and feel confident recommending items. Empowerment means frontline workers are trusted to make decisions and resolve issues without waiting for a manager’s approval. “We don’t want staff paralyzed by hierarchy,” he explains. “If a dish or drink is off, staff should be able to resolve this issue immediately for the guest. That’s how trust is built.”

While these principles draw on his global experience, they’re tailored to Montrose’s small-downtown scale, where word of mouth travels fast. “We want guests to feel recognized and noticed,” Read says. “That’s what turns a restaurant into a community space.”

A Welcomed Addition to the City Center

Typhoon Group is advancing plans to repurpose the former City Hall and Fire Station into a boutique hotel and exclusive club with views of Centennial Plaza. The 50-key hotel will be a warm and welcoming space with two restaurants, a swimming pool, and wellness facilities. The City Hall and Fire Station, which are historic buildings, will be meticulously restored, with Eyres scheduling a review with the Historic Preservation Commission soon. ‘This is no easy task, we will be working with historic buildings, careful consideration needs to be taken on all aspects of the design, and every effort will be taken to preserve its historic features,’ Read says. A new collaboration with Colorado Mesa University aims to broaden hospitality and culinary arts offerings on the Montrose campus, potentially letting CMU students train in Typhoon’s restaurants and the forthcoming hotel, mirroring the Hotel Maverick and Devil’s Kitchen model in Grand Junction. Read says the hotel will showcase Typhoon’s radical hospitality, making every guest feel recognized and valued, like they’re returning home to see their family. Eyres emphasizes the freedom to craft a brand-new standard of service, free from the constraints of corporate branding.

In Summary

Montrose is entering a new era of hospitality with Typhoon Group’s expansion: two new dining venues, Ms So (modern-Asian street food) opening for a soft launch in late November and Persimmon (farm-to-table Asian grill) debuting next year, plus a boutique hotel with a private club planned in the historic City Hall and Fire Station buildings. Typhoon Hospitality, led by Edward Read, aims to redefine local experience through radical hospitality—heavy emphasis on ongoing training, frontline empowerment, and genuine guest connections—while restoring the downtown landmark properties and collaborating with local Universities to broaden hospitality and culinary arts offerings, all designed to position Montrose as a regional beacon of hospitality excellence.