Editor’s note: Business Matters is a monthly column featuring business news in the Life on Capitol Hill and Washington Park Profile coverage areas, which is roughly central-north and south Denver.
At 5 p.m. Nov. 20, the city and county of Denver enacted an Adoption of Level Red-Severe Risk Public Health Order. This direction comes from the state of Colorado, “requiring Denver to adopt greater restrictions,” states the City of Denver’s website.
Level Red is the fifth of six levels on Colorado’s COVID-19 dial. Learn more at: https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-dial. “The state is expected to re-evaluate Denver’s metrics and status on the dial the week ending Dec. 18,” according to a fact sheet on the City of Denver’s website.
With this public health order, “public and private gatherings of people who are not members of a single household are prohibited except for limited purposes,” states the fact sheet.
The public health order also affects Denver businesses in a variety of ways, including:
Temporary closure of indoor dining. Outdoor/open-air dining is permitted for tables with patrons from the same household. Last call for outdoor restaurant alcohol service is 8 p.m. and on-premises alcohol consumption at restaurants and bars must stop at 10 p.m.
Alcohol takeout and delivery closes by 10 p.m., including restaurants, bars and liquor stores.
Recreational marijuana retailers must close by 10 p.m.
Critical and non-critical retail, including indoor malls, are limited to 50% occupancy. Increased curbside pickup and delivery is encouraged.
Gyms, fitness facilities and yoga studios are permitted to stay open with reservations required and occupancy limitations.
Salons and barber shops were not listed, but likely fall in the personal services category, which is limited to 25% capacity.
More information on how places of worship and sporting events are affected can be found on the City of Denver’s website: www.denvergov.org. Select COVID-19 Information from the homepage.
If you are a local business that would like to announce any updates to your operations, email Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.
New openings and
reopenings
Homie
A real estate company called Homie began its expansion into Denver in November.
Actual move-in is pending COVID, but once opened, the offices will be located at 201 Milwaukee St., #200, in Cherry Creek. Offering a full suite of real estate services, including mortgage, title and insurance services, Homie will serve Denver, Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson, Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Weld counties.
Homie, which launched in Utah in 2015, was “founded with the belief that the use of modern technology, coupled with the expertise of dedicated, local agents is the way of real estate in the future, saving clients thousands on their real estate transactions while simplifying the process,” states a news release.
“Technology has changed just about every industry, except real estate,” said Melissa Millan, general manager of Homie Colorado, in the news release. “The outdated legacy real estate model comes at the expense of clients, in hidden commissions and real estate fees.”
According to the news release, Homie does not charge a percentage-based commission, and instead, offers sellers a $3,000 flat fee -- regardless of the home’s sale price -- to market and sell a home. Home buyers who use a Homie agent can receive up to a $5,000 rebate, and can use the Homie app to review listings and scheduling showings, states the news release.Homie’s app-based showing scheduler and one-stop real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance services make a normally complicated process streamlined and simplified.
“Denver is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, with homes selling in a median of six days this past October,” said Philip Kranefuss, head of real estate for Homie Colorado, in the news release. “Buying and selling a home in Denver has never been more competitive. Homie simplifies real estate with a one-stop-shop for our clients, making buying and selling a home easier, more affordable and accessible for all while putting thousands of dollars back in customer’s pockets.”
To learn more, visit www.homie.com/colorado.
So Many Roads Museum and Brewery
A new venue to enjoy all things Grateful Dead — and some other iconic musicians and bands — has opened in Denver’s Baker neighborhood.
So Many Roads Museum and Brewery, 918 W. First Ave., opened on Oct. 21.
Owner Tyler Bishop recruited Jay Bianchi — who is known for opening many local venues including Sancho’s Broken Arrow, Be on Key Psychedelic Ripple, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom and Quixote’s True Blue, among others — to serve as So Many Roads’ curator. Adorning the walls is Bianchi’s collection of Grateful Dead posters, stickers and other memorabilia. People can also purchase various merchandise such as vintage-and-reprint t-shirts and other collectables.
The venue itself boasts a kitchen and bar, and a brewery component is expected to open late December. Local musicians perform live music every Friday and Saturday, with varying hours to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions. Live music is not booked far in advance because of the ever-changing restrictions, Bianchi said, so the best way for people to learn about upcoming shows is to visit So Many Roads’ website, www.somanyroadsbrewery.com, or its Facebook page.
The space is open with an airy feel where people can hang out and celebrate the art of the Grateful Dead, while social distancing, Bianchi said.
The Grateful Dead is dedicated to its fans, Bianchi said, and the fans reciprocate.
And here in Denver, he added, “there is a dedicated fan base. There is a continued presence of celebrating the Grateful Dead’s music.”
Editor’s note: This blurb was written prior to the most recent shutdown. If you’re interested in visiting this venue, first visit its website or Facebook page to check on its business hours or operations.
Closings
Bowman’s Vinyl and Lounge
Bowman’s Vinyl and Lounge, a bar, record store and live music venue located at 1312 S. Broadway, announced on its Facebook page on Nov. 21 that the business would be closing.
According to the Facebook post, Bowman’s was in operation for about five years.
On Nov. 23, the venue posted a follow up on its Facebook page: “Much respect and much love to the entire Denver community, including all the bars, venues and restaurants. To anyone who came through these doors and had a good time with us: We love you all and we will see you around. Stay strong and please support local business. It’s the life blood of our community.”
Changes/other
Red Owl Apartments
A California-based multifamily investment firm called DB Capital Management announced on Nov. 4 that it has closed on the acquisition of the Red Owl Apartments, 90 S. Logan St., in Denver’s Speer neighborhood.
The acquisition is the firm’s entry into the Denver market.
“We are targeting extensive growth in this market with a goal to own 1,000 units in the Denver-metro area by the end of 2022,” said Brennen Degner in a news release. Degner is the co-founder and CEO of DB Capital Management, and the news release states he was born and raised in Denver. “Red Owl is an award-winning asset in an exceptional location that we were able to acquire below replacement cost. We have the ability to increase revenue through hands-on property management and a focused renovation plan.”
Red Owl Apartments was built in 2018 and consists of 46 units. The firm acquired the apartment building for $16.2 million. DB Capital Management will rebrand it as Summit at Wash Park “and will immediately begin a renovation that will include common area improvements, as well as interior and exterior upgrades to the studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes as units roll,” states a news release.
Businesses supporting
nonprofits
RoseBud Ice Cream and Food For Thought
RoseBud Ice Cream, a Denver-based CBD Ice Cream company, will be donating 20% of the proceeds from all apparel sales to local nonprofit Food for Thought Denver.
Food for Thought Denver ”strives to eliminate weekend hunger for children in the Denver area” and serves 53 schools in the Denver-metro area, states its website.
RoseBud Ice Cream apparel available to purchase exclusively on RoseBud’s website includes hoodies, crewneck sweaters, long sleeves and tees. Visit www.rosebudicecream.com/merch to learn more.
“RoseBud was founded to improve lives, one bite, one pint and one person at a time. Working with Food for Thought Denver to make sure kids in the community have enough to eat helps us accomplish that goal,” said Sam Rose, RoseBud Ice Cream founder and cream executive officer.
To learn more about Food for Thought Denver, visit https://foodforthoughtdenver.org/.
