The 23rd Avenue Shops
By Cara Schaarschimdt
In Park Hill, the shops on East 23rd Avenue between Cherry and Dexter are a neighborhood fixture. As a (volunteer) journalist, I find it necessary to admit my bias for these particular shops in the interest of full disclosure. When I wrote about the Oneida shops, I had never patronized them before, however, after meeting the owners and learning about the businesses on that block, I am now a loyal customer.For the 23rd block, the story starts a little differently. I have been wandering into Spinelli’s for years now, and my dogs are loyal attendees at BFF Petcare. I have, more than once, indulged in an Adagio scone, and I am a proud member at the Park Hill Bookstore. When my husband sweetly buys flowers for me, he knows they should come from Moss Pink, and my dad begs us to take him to the Cherry Tomato whenever he visits. In short, these shops are my stomping ground, and I was excited to meet all the business owners to talk about what makes their shops and services different and special. I was not disappointed.
Oona’s Dog Groom and Spa
303-355-4444
Oona Grebauer has been grooming dogs for 14 years and is one of the few nationally certified Master Groomers in the state. Her shop is clean and bright and full of happy dogs, including her own two adorable friends who greeted me with wagging tails and licks upon my arrival. Oona opened her shop in 2003 and has spent the years since then getting to know the people and dogs of Park Hill. “I’ve been here long enough that I get to know dogs and families, including some dogs I’ve groomed for the full 14 years.” Oona’s passion for her business shows in the smiles and genuine greetings she gives each person and dog.She loves what she does, and her quiet, even disposition ensures that the dogs love her right back.Oona’s Dog Groom and Spa offers two packages, focusing on your whole dog, rather than a lot of a la carte items. She does a Bath and Brush package that includes a nail trim, as well as a Full Service package for those dogs who need a haircut in addition to the rest. Tooth brushing can be added on to any package for minty fresh breath, too, but book early; she does not overbook her spa, so her appointments run a few weeks out.Oona also works with BFF Petcare next door if you’d like to drop your dog off for a day of play and grooming.
Best Friends Forever Petcare
303-321-8900 or bffpetcare.com
Happy dogs fill the playrooms at Best Friends Forever Petcare, and Rick Morrissey and his staff are the ones responsible. BFF is a doggie daycare right here in Park Hill that also offers dog walking and petsitting services. Rick, who spent the first part of his career in the hotel and restaurant industries, brought his hospitality skills to the canine world when he purchased the doggie daycare five years ago. Since then, his package deals and great customer service have brought the dogs from Park Hill calling. Rick loves his job, saying that the best part is that, “the dogs are always happy to see me when I show up for work. What other job is like that?” BFF Petcare offers a fun day of play for your dog that includes a walk around Park Hill each day. You can also view pictures of their happy clients on their Facebook page, where they regularly update with photos, including their famous Dog of the Month on the first of each month. As mentioned in the previous section, BFF works with Oona’s next door if you want to drop your dog off for the day to get groomed and then play with friends under Rick’s tutelage.
Moss Pink Flora and Botanicals
303-388-1666 or mosspinkflora.com
Moss Pink Flora and Botanicals is not your average flower shop. Jil Schlisner, with 13 years as a floral designer, has turned this shop into a Park Hill destination with her unusual, beautiful floral cuts and unique cards and gifts. She picks everything out personally, and her style and effort show; wandering through Moss Pink feels like a luxury. Jil and her staff of three create artistic floral designs that impress their recipients, yet manage to be reasonably priced. Jil has been in Park Hill since 2006 and loves the neighborhood and the fact that she gets to be a character in the cast of local small business owners. She told me, “I opened my shop right before the recession, and part of the reason I made it through was because of the support and patronage I got from the great people of Park Hill.” Moss Pink provides pre-ordered arrangements, or Jil can put something together for you when you walk in, choosing from the amazing stem selections in her coolers. The shop also contains a full array of cards and gifts that are original, classy and sometimes a tiny bit cheeky, much like the shop’s owner.
Spinelli’s Market
303-329-8143 or spinellismarket.com
The very first catchline that Jerry and Mary Ellen Spinelli used to market their store when it opened 19 years ago was, “Produce, Pasta, and More!” Says Mary Ellen, “That was back when we literally just had a couple of tables of pasta and vegetables.” Now, the “more” part of the equation is evident. Spinelli’s Market is a family-owned neighborhood grocery store stocked with gourmet products, many from local vendors. With their full deli, expansive cheese selection and full aisle of fresh produce, Spinelli’s is no longer where to go when you just forgot one thing. In addition to regular groceries, Spinelli’s has delectable made-to-order sandwiches and bake-and-serve meals for the family (perfect for those busy nights when cooking might just send you over the edge). Whether you just need to run in for fresh baked bread and a lotto ticket or you are planning a big meal, Spinelli’s has everything you need, plus a few delicious extras you might luck into (the housemade Almonds alla Aubergine are to die for). The Spinellis’ children, now grown, had their first high school jobs behind the counter at the market, and Jerry and Mary Ellen have loved to watch other kids in Park Hill grow up over the years, too. With the spectacular customer service, and all your grocery needs just a hop and skip away (and did I mention those almonds?), Spinelli’s Market is a Park Hill institution that can meet all of your shopping needs.
The Cherry Tomato
303-377-1914 or cherrytomatodenver.com
With over 32 years in the restaurant industry and a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, Tom Felese, owner and chef at The Cherry Tomato and longtime Park Hill resident, isn’t playing around. His from-scratch sauces and pastas are renowned around the neighborhood, and that is what Tom likes to hear. “For me, my favorite part is when I see people leaving with smiles on their faces and talking about how good the food was.” This happens a lot at the Cherry Tomato, where the menu includes the famous Pasta Felese and an award-winning lasagna, along with many vegetarian and gluten-free options, and a delectable minestrone soup that is mentioned in more than one review. The Cherry Tomato offers a full bar and wine list, along with salads and desserts that complement the Italian fare. Customers love the neighborhood-gem ambience of the Cherry Tomato, and Tom credits that friendly atmosphere to all of the regulars from the neighborhood who keep coming back. He looks forward to many more years in the Park Hill family of businesses and hopes to add a cozy patio soon (voting and discussion at upcoming Greater Park Hill Community meetings).
Park Hill Cleaners
303-322-6235
I waited behind a paying customer to speak to Chung Yun, manager and son of the owners of Park Hill Cleaners. The customer knew Chung by name and when he attempted to carry out his own cleaning, Chung insisted on carrying it out for him. Chung followed the man to his car, hung the cleaning neatly in the back seat and left his customer with a small bow before he came back in to answer my questions. It was customer service at its finest. Many of Chung’s customers have known him since he was a child wandering around his parents’ shop, and all those years have left him extremely knowledgeable about dry cleaning and the art of treating his customers well. Park Hill Cleaners is a full-service, in-house dry cleaner that also offers alterations, shirt laundering, and rug and comforter services (they will send out leather and suede cleaning and repair if needed). They are also known for their impeccable and reasonable wedding gown preservation.
Park Hill Community Bookstore
303-355-8508 or parkhillbookstore.com
The Park Hill Community Bookstore was just voted editor’s choice for best bookstore in Denver by 5280 Magazine in July, but this is something its Park Hill patrons have known for years. I spoke with Sandra Niemi, store manager, about how the shop is doing and what she loves about working there. The Park Hill Community Bookstore is staffed completely by volunteers and has been around since 1971. Sandra has been a part of the store for 30 of those years, starting as a volunteer in the 80’s, and has been a Park Hill resident since 1976. Books and reading have been a huge part of her life and she laughed about “those book people” who sometimes seem to love books as much as they love their own offspring, hinting that she is possibly one of them. With over 30,000 volumes, the Park Hill Community Bookstore has just about every genre and title you can think of, and if they don’t have it, they will happily special order it for you. A family membership for the shop is only $20 dollars a year, and that entitles your family to 10 percent off everything in the store (with the exception of cards and jewelry), as well as access to the coveted book exchange program that allows you to earn credits toward their vast selection of used titles when you trade in books you are finished with. With three levels stocked to the gills with books, the Park Hill Community Bookstore is a “Top of the Town” winner that should not be passed by.
Park Hill Dental Arts
303-377-8662 or parkhilldental.com
I visited Park Hill Dental Arts to speak with Dr. Croghan, but because he was with one of his many valued patients, I spoke with his friendly staff and his wife. I did want to get a photo of him, though, so his hygienist said he could come out to honor my request as soon as he had a moment. She then started laughing because he had asked her if his hair was OK. His staff seemed familiar with his great sense of humor, and when I heard big laughs from both Dr. Croghan and his patient coming from the back, I knew I was meeting a special dentist. Dr. Tom Croghan is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dentistry and has owned this single-dentist practice since 2001, though it has been a mainstay as a dental office for over 30 years in Park Hill. Though there is an orthodontist who offers appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dr. Croghan stresses the importance of having only one dentist in his practice. He wants to get to know his patients and make sure his patients know and are comfortable with him and his staff, even getting to see the same hygienist each time. Dr. Croghan believes in personal service and genuinely cares for each of his patients. If he gives an injection or performs a surgical procedure, his patients should expect a call from him later that evening to make sure the numbness has worn off and that they’re feeling okay. Dr. Croghan is currently accepting new patients, and his hair looked great.
Adagio Baking Company
303-388-0904 or adagiobakery.com
Adagio Baking Company is a meeting place for many Park Hill residents looking for great coffee and food and a cozy place to chat and relax. Owner Mike Meirowsky, keeps them coming back with his creativity in the kitchen and his relaxed demeanor. Adagio opened in 2006, meaning it has been serving Park Hill for over seven years now, plying our neighborhood with a full breakfast and lunch menu, Boba, coffee drinks and their famous scones. There are daily specials and delectable sandwiches served on their daily-baked challah bread, and, with seven employees on staff, they also do special-order baking for cakes, cupcakes and specialty items. In addition, you can almost always find a case full of tempting goodies to take home with you, including pastries, pumpkin or banana bread and cookies. Mike loves the freedom of owning his own bakery and coming up with new ideas in the kitchen, and being in Park Hill has been a perfect fit for him. Adagio also offers holiday orders for pies or other catering.
The Dancer’s Advantage
303-320-6659 or
thedancersadvantage.com
Though I have never been a dancer, I could have sat and listened to Brian Bender tell stories about his dance studio and his history dancing professionally all over the world for hours. Brian opened the Dancer’s Advantage ballet studio here in Park Hill in 2001 and has been operating with his fun-first policy since then. He maintains small classes to ensure personal attention and offers ballet from age 3 to age 83; there is also a modern dance class offered on Friday evenings. Brian loves dance and the life it has allowed him to have, and he thrives in getting to pass that love on to his students. “For the recreational dancer, we foster a fun environment and create a lifelong love of dance, and for those dancers who are pursuing a career, we can provide the real-world knowledge and principals they will need to succeed in the business,” Brian told me. With four of his students having gone on to become professional dancers, Brian has a reputation for being one of the best. He has 34 years of experience and knowledge, but he also has an obvious knack for teaching. While I watched his class, I was impressed with the command he had over his dancers at the barre and then the way he laughed as they dissolved into giggles while trying on beautiful tutus he has acquired from all over the world. The tutus were a special treat he allowed them to don for their photograph, and the girls in his class knew how special they were.They also seem to know they have a very special teacher.