Tucked in Rustic Square in downtown Bailey, there’s a coffeehouse with a vibe that’s as unique and authentic as its origin story. Off the Rails – A Craft Coffeehouse isn’t just a place to grab your morning coffee — it’s a thoughtfully crafted “third place” for the Bailey community. The idea? To create a space that’s not home, not work — but a place where people can just be.

How It All Began

Kyleigh Rossignol, who grew up mostly in North Carolina, and Ben Goldsmith, originally from Naples, Florida, first met working at a Starbucks during the early days of the pandemic. Kyleigh had moved to Colorado for another job that fell through due to COVID, and Starbucks was one of the only places hiring at the time. The same went for Ben, who had just graduated from CU Boulder.

Kyleigh, once a hopeful future Starbucks franchisee, discovered during COVID that the coffee giant’s “third place” philosophy — the idea of being a welcoming community hub — didn’t hold up when the going got tough. That realization was the turning point: she didn’t just want to work in coffee. She wanted to build a place where people truly felt like they belonged.

And then came the joke comment that changed everything. In a casual conversation, Kyleigh jokingly told Ben’s dad, John Goldsmith, that if he bought the quirky old rock shop building in downtown Bailey that was up for sale, she could turn it into a coffeehouse.

He bought it the next day.

Suddenly, a dream Kyleigh thought wouldn’t come true until she was 50 became reality at age 23. With John’s support and Ben by her side, the couple spent the next 15 months gutting and transforming the space. It had no plumbing. No AC. No basic infrastructure. But vision, grit, and a lot of hard work turned it into a magical, welcoming space.

From Rock Shop to Cozy Coffeehouse

The remodel wasn’t quick or easy — especially during COVID. Delays in permitting, material shortages, and renovation challenges slowed them down. But Kyleigh took every opportunity to win over Park County's building department — even delivering cookies with her paperwork — and that persistence paid off.

The result? A cozy, welcoming space designed entirely by Kyleigh and Ben. Every piece of furniture, every paint color, and even the numerous wall outlets were selected with intention. Whether you're grabbing a cup to go or working remotely for hours, Off the Rails is a place to settle in, feel comfortable, and be part of something.

So... Why “Off the Rails”?

Many customers assume the name comes from the vintage photo of a derailed train that hangs inside the shop. That’s not untrue — but the real story is better.

When it came time to name their new business, Kyleigh and Ben got into their first-ever relationship argument over what to call it. Both wanted to name it after historic trains that ran through Bailey — but couldn’t agree on which. Kyleigh vented to her aunt, who declared, “You’re both crazy — you’re off the rails!” And that was it. A name — and a legacy — was born.

What Makes Them Stand Out

Off the Rails isn’t your average coffee shop. Here's why it’s become a local favorite:

• Affordable, high-quality coffee, including a $3 cup you can refill all day
• No time limit — stay as long as you like, no pressure to buy more
• Locally sourced everything, from Wagon Coffee Roasters (a Denver nonprofit supporting women in recovery), to Daddy’s Homemade syrups and local dairy from What Chefs Want
• Pour-over brewing system used for every cup — a rare machine and one of only seven like it in Colorado
• A community-first philosophy that welcomes everyone, whether you’re working from your laptop or just looking for a friendly place to be

As regular customer Danny McCafferty puts it:

“Once this door opened, it became a place for me to relax and have a cup of coffee. Everybody knows everybody here. The owners are amazing. It’s a place that makes Bailey feel like home.”

The Bigger Dream

Kyleigh and Ben aren’t just running a coffee shop. They’re curating a culture. They’ve modeled Off the Rails to be a safe, inclusive, and creative space for people of all walks of life — from longtime locals to new residents, and everyone in between. Whether you want to sip in silence, chat with friends, or run into familiar faces, Off the Rails invites you to slow down and stay a while.

Despite facing burnout and the challenges of running a small business in a mountain town, the duo is still expanding. They’ve trained up new team members, doubled their business year over year, and are dreaming of being open seven days a week — if they can find the right help.

“The best advice I can give anyone thinking about opening a business,” says Kyleigh, “is get used to being scared. That feeling never really goes away — but don’t let it stop you. Just go for it.”

And Last, But Not Least…Before the Beans, There Was a Broadcast: The Story Behind the Story

Ben’s father, John Goldsmith, played a pivotal role in helping Off the Rails become a reality — purchasing the building that would become the heart of this community coffeehouse. But John’s own story is remarkable. 

A celebrated broadcast journalist, John launched his career in Washington, DC in the 1960s and spent decades in nearly every role imaginable — from White House Correspondent to Managing Editor and Host of “Capital Edition”. He is especially known for his Emmy-winning coverage of the Air Florida crash into the Potomac River, which earned him international recognition.

As the longtime host of "Capital Edition" and a revered writer at WUSA-TV and WTTG-TV, John produced award-winning documentaries from China to the American rails, earning both Emmys and a George Foster Peabody Award.

Today, John brings his eye for storytelling and his belief that everyone has a story worth telling to Bailey — and his encouragement and support helped launch Off the Rails. He may not be behind the espresso machine, but his influence is infused in every cup.

Plan Your Visit

33 County Rd 68 in Bailey.

Open Wednesday through Sunday — with hopes to expand soon. 

Want to stay in the loop?

Website: http://offtherails.coffee

Follow them on Instagram or Facebook

Or better yet, stop in. Slow down. Say hello. Be part of the Off the Rails community.