Business (Not) As Usual On Colfax

By Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN
Welcome to Spilling the Beans, East Colfax edition. This occasional series focuses on business news happening in and around Park Hill.
Last month we turned our attention to the Oneida Park Center, on Oneida between 22nd and 23rd avenues. Under new ownership, the block has drawn an influx of new businesses, as well as a summer Thursday afternoon/evening market. (If you missed it, check the Oneida story out at greaterparkhill.org.)
This month’s focus is on businesses that have recently opened on and around the long stretch of Colfax between Colorado Boulevard and Quebec Street. Also included is a general list of the number of businesses along the strip that are owned (or co-owned) by women. (Hat tip to Hilarie Portell, director of the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District, for helping to compile the following):
Now (or almost) open for business
• The Goddard School is a new preschool at the corner of Colfax and Locust. It replaced a branch of U.S. Bank and opened in March.
• Ed Moore Florist, at Colfax and Leyden, is under new ownership. After more than 35 years, Lydia Mary sold the business to Park Hill resident Jenny Perkins. Offerings have expanded to include community workshops and special occasion floral consulting. All of the former floral designers have stayed on with Perkins.
• The Handmade Market at Colfax and Leyden is designed to be a co-op of sorts for artisans.
• Tessa Deli at Colfax and Ivy: The deli is currently under renovation, and scheduled to open in late fall.
• Dash & Dare, at Colfax and Ivy, is a women’s clothing boutique that opened last December.
• Hank’s Texas Barbeque at Colfax and Grape, is now open. The restaurant is in the space of the former neighborhood favorite Solera.
• Anytime Fitness on the Fax, at Colfax and Jasmine, offers personal training, consultation and group fitness classes. Open 24 hours/day.
• Synapse Strength and Movement, at Fairfax and Colfax, offers group classes and private training.
In addition to Anytime Fitness and Synapse, several other fitness and yoga studios have settled in along the Colfax and near-Colfax strip near Park Hill.
Koko Fit Club in the Mayfair Center at 14th and Krameria, provides individualized coaching and customized workouts. Pilates Bodies, Ascent Yoga and Revolution Yoga are also on Colfax.
Women On The Move
Portell noted another trend along the Colfax strip: At lease 20 businesses are owned, or co-owned, by women. The following have just opened, are getting ready to open, or in a few cases have been in operation for years:
• Anytime Fitness on the Fax
• Art on Monaco
• Axum Ethiopian Restaurant
• Ceramics in the City
• Cheyenne Fencing/Modern Pentathlon Center
• City Floral Greenhouse & Garden Center
• Dash & Dare
• Denver True Value Hardware
• Denver Upholstery and Design
• Ed Moore Florist
• Elevate Yoga
• Fairfax Wine & Spirits
• Hey Babe! Nail Salon
• Li’s Bakery (cakes and other baked goods)
• Marczyk Fine Foods
• Mindful
• Mod Livin’
• Mouna Hair Braiding & Beauty Supplies
• Pilates Bodies
• Rhythm Revolution (yoga and fitness)
• Winning Coiffes hair salon
Note: Do you have news about a business in and around the neighborhood that you’d like to share? Has ownership changed hands? Has a local shop recently opened? Closed? Retired after decades in business? Won an award? Had a visit from a VIP or celebrity? Send your business news tips to editor@greaterparkhill.org for consideration. Please include “Spilling the beans” in the subject line of the email.
Business Focus: Red Lark Opens On Kearney Street
Take 5 With Bridget Mitchell
This summer, Park Hillian Bridget Mitchell opened a specialty boutique, Red Lark, stocked with gorgeous gifts and one-of-a-kind items. Red Lark is on the business block of Kearney and 22nd Avenue, next door to Cake Crumbs. In a Greater Park Hill News interview, here’s what Mitchell had to say about her new venture.
GPHN: What is the background on your decision to open shop?
Mitchell: Red Lark was born out of a desire to provide a beautiful space where people feel welcome to slow down, explore new things and find something special. My life took a lot of twists and turns before I took the leap of opening my own shop, but I know this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I love connecting with friends, meeting new people and providing an experience that keeps people coming back. I only offer items that I love and hope others will too.
GPHN: What is your background?
Mitchell:I grew up in Colorado. I lived in New England and decided to move back after too many long Boston winters. I’ve worked in legislative affairs, as well as a marketing/business development professional in the construction/design industry. Most recently, I was a public affairs officer in the US Navy.
I worked for a small independent boutique in Boston and have always loved finding shops that inspire new ideas and offer unique products. Red Lark serves my personality and feeds my passion. My husband and I love living in Park Hill and it was only natural to open a store in our neighborhood.
GPHN: What do you hope to be able to provide to the neighborhood? And why the name, Red Lark?
Mitchell: My goal is to be the place people think of when they are looking for something special. Everyone is welcome at Red Lark and we have everyone covered including kids, babies and pets. The Lark Bunting is the Colorado state bird. And, Red Lark had a nice ring to it.
