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 and central-south Denver.

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

Billy’s Inn

Billy’s Inn, a restaurant that can trace its Denver roots back to 1933, has opened in Congress Park at 1222 Madison St. — the space formerly occupied by TAG Burger Bar, which closed in fall 2021.

The Congress Park location is the second for Billy’s Inn, with the first being located at 4403 Lowell Blvd. in the Berkeley neighborhood.

Like the Berkeley location, Billy’s Inn Congress Park features a Baja-style menu known for its fish tacos, but the restaurant also offers a variety of traditional plates, tortas, homemade green chili, salads, sandwiches and burgers. The bar menu includes extensive tequila and mezcal lists, a variety of specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

To learn more about Billy’s Inn, visit billysinn.com.

Hilltop Reserve

A new older-adults community recently opened in Denver’s Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood.

Ascent Living Communities’ Hilltop Reserve, 525 S. Holly St., is the third senior-living community owned and operated by Colorado’s own Tom and Susie Finley.

Hilltop Reserve features 124 independent living residences, 56 assisted living suites and 25 memory care suites. Amenities include 24/7 on-site care staff; a two-tiered courtyard with a water feature, fire pits and seating; a gym; an aquatics center; and a yoga studio.

“We are a Colorado-to-the-core company and we’ve taken great pride in designing the Hilltop Reserve community in a way that will allow our residents to continue to explore, engage and appreciate the Colorado lifestyle that we all love – no matter your age, health or activity level,” said Susie Finley, founder and principal of Ascent Living Communities, in a news release. “Built on the foundation of our exemplary health care, we carry that same level of quality and service to the residences and suites, as well as the food, arts, entertainment and amazing outdoors, to deliver the life experiences that help our residents thrive.”

To learn more about Ascent Living Communities’ Hilltop Reserve, visit hilltopreserve.com.

Closings

Scout: Dry Goods & Trade

Scout: Dry Goods & Trade announced on its Instagram that Feb. 6 was its last day at its 51 N. Broadway location.

According to the post, the closure is because of a relocation, and Scout is “actively hunting for our next perfect location in Denver.”

Scout is a clothing resale store that buys modern and vintage men's and women's clothing and accessories from customers to offer “a large, constantly rotating stock of great, unique and affordable clothes and accessories” in store, according to Scout’s website.

The store also has a commitment to the environment, stating that it has saved “countless tons of items from the landfills” by keeping items in circulation.

Owner Kelly Valentine opened the first Scout store in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2008. The Denver location was Valentine’s second Scout store. The Omaha store remains open, and Denver-metro residents can still shop at Scout online at ilovescout.com.

Milestones

Headwaves, Inc.

Headwaves, Inc., a full-service progressive salon located in Platt Park, celebrated its 40th anniversary in February.

The salon specializes in hair coloring, cutting and styling for men and women. Its esthetician has been with Headwaves for about 18 years. Other services include manicures and pedicures, waxing, reiki and massage.

Headwaves is known for building relationships and developing a connection with its clientele.

In a letter to his clients, Headwaves’ founder and owner, Frank Seibert, wrote:

“To my clients that I have known since the late 70s on, (and) to your children and grandchildren, thank you. You believed in me. You trusted me and you gave me a business to grow with all of these years. You are my family. I would not have been able to do it without you.”

Headwaves got its start in February 1982 in Aurora by Seibert and his late spouse and partner Michael Williamson.

Since then, Headwaves has survived blizzards, near bankruptcy, the loss of Williamson and now a pandemic. But along the way, it has gained a multitude of friends and community.

The business moved to its first location on South Pearl Street in May 1987, and has been at its current location at 1306 S. Pearl St. for 17 years.

Seibert describes South Pearl Street as a “living neighborhood,” with lots of character.

“It’s the connection and the creativity,” he said.

Headwaves has become a fixture of South Pearl Street, and it’s going to remain a fixture, Seibert said.

“Here's to more time at Headwaves,” Seibert continued in the letter. “More joy and laughter. More life. Happy anniversary to ALL of us.”

To learn more about Headwaves, Inc., visit headwavesdenver.com.

Urban Autocare

Urban Autocare celebrated the one-year anniversary of acquiring its Platt Park location in February.

“During our first year serving the south Denver community at Urban Autocare, we have been blown away by the authenticity and fellowship of the community,” said Brian Sump, president and owner of Urban Autocare. “We have served, and been served, well. We've forged relationships with families and businesses alike. The neighborhood genuinely watches out for one another, and we couldn't ask for anything more on that front.”

Urban Autocare in Platt Park is located at 701 E. Evans Ave. It is the auto shop’s fourth location, with the first location opening June 2014 at 1701 N. High St. in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood. The other locations are in Lakewood and Littleton, and the company also includes Avalon Motorsports in the Montclair neighborhood.

Urban Autocare is a local-and-family-owned auto repair shop that specializes in Toyota, Subaru and Honda. However, Sump added that the shop is “seeing more and more domestic and other Asian import makes.”

All its mechanics are ASE certified technicians and Urban Autocare earned the 2018 BBB Torch Award for business ethics.

Sump added he grew up in the south Denver community and as for Urban Autocare, he “can't be more excited for year two and many more to come.”

To learn more about Urban Autocare, visit urbanautocare.com.

Miscellaneous

Cherry Creek Caliber Home Loans

Caliber Home Loans has recognized two of its Cherry Creek team members with a national Lifetime Achievement Award.

The two recipients are David Thomas, who serves as the branch’s manager, and Ann Dain.

Caliber Home Loans is a national lender with retail branches across the country. The Cherry Creek branch is located at 55 Madison St. Suite 525 in Denver.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards is a national sales award and is bestowed quarterly to Caliber’s top performers nationwide. Recipients exemplify exceptional production performance, advanced tier achievements in loan production, and dedication and commitment to Caliber Home Loans.

To learn more about Caliber Home Loans in Cherry Creek, visit caliberhomeloans.com/loan-consultant/colorado.