How do you transform a historic site that has sat untouched for 15 years? For Charmayne Kilcup, the answer was to preserve its character while giving it a new purpose. That vision inspired her and her sister to revamp a group of historic buildings in Corrales and turn them into “The Station”.
Kilcup described the area as an “absolute mess” when they bought it.
“Dirt everywhere. Mice everywhere. I mean, it was in really, really, really, really bad shape,” she said in an interview.
Now, their dream of creating a safe space where mothers, families, and the community can connect has become a reality.
As mothers themselves, Kilcup said she and her sister wanted to establish a go-to spot for moms to grab coffee, relax, and let their kids play.
“So we’re trying to offer more opportunities for this more natural village way of life, where there’s multiple people raising kids, being with kids, interacting with kids, and doing their daily life,” she said.
The Station is now open, bringing together a refillery, toy shop, stationery store, and plant shop. It also features a playground and courtyard, with a restaurant coming soon.
Kilcup said they bought the building last April and started working on it immediately. They set out to breathe new life into a space that had sat untouched for over a decade.
“Historical buildings are extra challenging, and it’s actually harder to renovate than build new sometimes. But we wanted to preserve the character of the buildings,” Kilcup said.
She said the journey was challenging, but every step was worth it. She and her sister wanted to give back to the Corrales community they call home.
“This is really a love letter to where we grew up and a place that has really nourished us in a lot of ways,” Kilcup said.
“I’m hoping this place just brings more joy,” she added.
The Station plans to open its restaurant early next year.
