A lot of new development is happening in and around Central Park! This may be one of the biggest waves of change since the neighborhood was first built, with new businesses making a real impact on our day-to-day lives. In particular, Eastbridge, the area around 40th and Central Park Blvd, and Avenues at Northfield are experiencing some amazing updates and welcoming new businesses. We’re lucky to have a major influx of new grocery stores coming along with the addition of some delicious, inventive casual restaurants and coffee shops. Rounding it out are new spots for parents, fitness fans, and artists of all ages. Check out the latest places open now (note that we try to take photos when places are emptier to avoid making customers uncomfortable, but these spots are all bustling!) plus the businesses we are anxiously awaiting!
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(Disclosure: This list is not exhaustive and we almost surely missed a few things. If we did omit anything new that you want to suggest for our next “roundup” post feel free to email it to me at joe@focus-brokers.com. We do these regularly and can add it to our next edition.)
GROCERY STORES
COMING SOON Trader Joe’s
If you’re a TJ’s superfan (is there any other kind?), this news is very important to you. Reports are that the Northfield location of the grocery store will be 12,500 square feet in the spot just north of Old Navy. There’s no opening date released yet, but for now, you can look forward to eventually getting your Everything But The Bagel seasoning a lot closer to home. Based off my wife Mandi’s videos she sends me as she drives by, it looks like things are progressing nicely! For more visuals of Trader Joe’s and more going on at Northfield, check out this recent post of ours.
8560 E Northfield Blvd, Denver
COMING SOON Whole Foods Market
Yes, the amazing grocery store news just keeps on coming! We know many people who will be thrilled to no longer have to trek to Cherry Creek for their 365 peanut butter. Naked Denver reported the plans are for the store to be 40,000 square feet. Construction on the lot near the Credit Union of Colorado looks to be in early stages (sorry, the picture of the field is pretty boring!), so we’ll stay tuned and keep an eye out for updates.
8801 E 39th Avenue, Denver
COMING SOON Aldi
With grocery prices being what they are, there’s a lot of interest in Aldi, which is known for its lower-prices business model. As part of its first expansion into Colorado, the company applied for permits this summer that indicate that they’re planning a large location near the QuikTrip/Chick Fil A/Cracker Barrel area at 40th and Central Park Blvd. As you can see from the pictures, nothing has started yet on the project. We think this project is in the “probably happening, but not sure” category. Stay tuned to the Scoop, we’ll share more as we learn it.
9111 E. 40th Ave, Denver
HOME FURNISHINGS
COMING SOON Wayfair
The home furnishings company is turning the old Macy’s space at Northfield into a bricks and mortar store, complete with free design services. Denver will be a major expansion for the company! Their news release said, “Spanning two floors, the store will feature 19 departments, from furniture and housewares to appliances, mattresses, florals and decor as well as dedicated areas for design services.” The website says that it will be opening in November! Follow the Denver store Instagram for the latest details.
8298 E. Northfield Blvd., Denver
DRONE IMAGE BY JOE MEASE
RESTAURANTS AND COFFEE SHOPS
OPEN NOW 3 Margaritas
The latest location of this upbeat, family-owned Mexican chain recently opened in Northfield! We visited recently (ok, maybe more than once!) and loved the homemade corn and flour tortillas pressed all day, happy hour specials, and the fact that kids eat free on Wednesdays.
(303) 736-2540, 8340 E Northfield Blvd., Denver
OPEN NOW Black Rock Coffee
The new Central Park location of this coffee chain is a great option for your morning caffeine or a place to bring your laptop and get a little work done. When we visited, we loved the vibes and noted their iced lattes, signature chillers, energy drinks, smoothies, and all-day breakfast foods. They also have a drive-through for when convenience and speed are key.
(833) 843-5776, 9111 E 40th Ave, Bldg 4, Denver
OPEN NOW Bubba’s 33
The Northfield location of this Texas Roadhouse spinoff with game-day vibes opened just as we were getting ready to publish this post! We can’t wait to check it out.
OPEN NOW Carmella’s Eatery and Market
Carmella’s has been a North End favorite for a while now. But we’re including them on this list because they are constantly innovating! They told us about the latest offerings, including breakfast and lunch to order at the counter, then a switch to a full-service, sit-down experience for dinner…plus their famous wine list. (This has become one of my go-to spots in the neighborhood for great food, easy meetings with people and just an overall welcoming environment! Love what they’re doing here!)
(720) 712-9307, East 56th and Central Park Blvd, Denver
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARMELLA’S
OPEN NOW Chick-fil-A
The chicken chain’s latest spot in the neighborhood! We chatted with them right before they opened in April and checked out the walk-up order window and multiple drive-through lanes (there’s no “inside” of the restaurant), covered outdoor seating, and of course, their famous chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.
(303) 209-2144, 9111 E 40th Ave, Bldg 6, Denver
OPEN NOW Diego Social Ice Cream Shop and Snack Bar
This new Mexican sweet shop, named in memory of the owner’s brother, is near Waldo’s Chicken and Beer at Northfield. They offer a huge range of customizable milkshakes, as well as mini pancakes, paletas and spicy Mexican candy in a bright, lively, retro vibe.
8286 E Northfield Blvd #1510, Denver
OPEN NOW Encanto Taqueria Y Cantina
Tucked in the back of the Eastbridge plaza, across from Little Man ice cream, is this fun, casual, authentic Mexican restaurant from the owners of Encanto Cocina Cantina. We loved our visits there: The tacos are incredible, the hand-crafted drink list is inventive, and the vibe is chill and family-friendly. Several of our teammates have been a few times and all have come away giving it high marks!
(720) 592-0449, 10155 E 29th Dr, Denver
OPEN NOW Fire on the Mountain
When the news hit a local Facebook group that Fire on the Mountain was going to replace Tag Burger Bar at Eastbridge, the comments were ecstatic. Maybe because this isn’t your basic wings joint. They offer a wide range of homemade sauces that pack varying heat levels, and in addition to baskets of chicken wings, they serve wing-style seitan and cauliflower, chicken tenders, sandwiches and burgers, and more. My colleague Amanda Campbell checked it out the other night and raved about the food and service. My wife and I also went by for lunch…delicious and very friendly service. Highly recommend!
10155 East 29th Drive, Denver
OPEN NOW Hida Japanese Skillet & Grill
The Facebook comments are pouring in about this Eastbridge spot brought to you by the owners of Misaki at the Stanley. (Robert!) People who were skeptical about the idea of vegetarian and vegan sushi are swearing that you must try Hida. The spot, just next door to Cattivella, also features lots of grilled meats, inspired by the fact that the Hida region of Japan is known for its Wagyu beef.
(720) 508-4937, 10195 East 29th Drive, Denver
OPEN NOW Marczyk FineBurger
Spun off from summertime burger nights outside Marczyk Fine Foods grocers, this higher-end fast food restaurant offers elevated burgers (from Niman Ranch, which supports humane and sustainable practices) and chicken patties. And don’t miss the item that’s getting the most buzz: the duck fat French fries. Check out our video from a recent visit.
7980 E Northfield Blvd, Denver
COMING SOON Sorella
Hot off the presses: It was just announced that the owners of Boychik, the Mediterranean inspired restaurant at the Stanley, will be opening a new “Italian concept” counter service restaurant, also at the Stanley. They told WhatNow that the menu will feature pastas, sandwiches, charcuterie and shared plates, and they’re aiming to open in mid-November. We haven’t seen details yet on where exactly in the Stanley it will be, so we don’t have a photo of the exact spot yet, but we will keep you posted!
2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
KIDS AND PARENTS
OPEN NOW Baby University
We checked out this spot that’s right near Glissade Coffee and were blown away at both the concept and the execution! It’s a place for new parents to meet and for kids to play and take classes, and it fills such a need for new parents to connect with each other as well as fun offerings for the kids. Check them out for classes, meetup groups, free play, and more.
(720) 766-6907, 10255 E 25th Ave. #11, Aurora
OPEN NOW Friends of Friends Art Cafe
From the owners of Friend Assembly pottery studio and shop, this new spot at the Stanley is a very cool concept. It’s a place for adults and kids to create art, with “drink and draw” workshops for adults and lots of open-ended time in their “art nook” with inspiring art supplies for kids. Check out their open studio spots and classes, or just walk in!
(720) 760-5632, Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St, Aurora
FITNESS AND WELLNESS
OPEN NOW: Revel Strength & Wellness
This brand-new wellness center has everything you could want or need: 24-gym access! Yoga and Pilates! Massage! And all with a focus on building community from long-time business owners from the neighborhood. Check out our recent visit in this video for more details and to get a sense of the space.
(720) 706-7324, 2954 N Havana St, Denver
COMING SOON Life Time Fitness
People were buzzing when news emerged that a new location of this super upscale fitness chain was taking over the old JCPenney space at Avenues at Northfield. Developing Denver reported that the plans suggest that they’ll be adding an outdoor pool deck and will have childcare at the gym as well as indoor pickleball courts. The location is not on the company’s “Coming Soon” page yet and construction appears to be in relatively early stages (check out an overhead look here!), so we’ll keep you posted when we hear about an opening date.
8568 E 49th Avenue, Denver
DRONE IMAGE BY JOE MEASE
MUSIC
OPEN NOW Wax Trax Records
The supercool kiosk in the Stanley recently expanded to a whole 1,000-foot store, allowing them to stock even more vinyl, cassettes, and CDs, and add more in-store events. Pay them a visit to flip through the racks and see what you discover.
(720) 760-5632, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
SHOPPING
COMING SOON Avenues at Northfield updates
Major, major changes are coming to the Northfield shopping area, now known as Avenues at Northfield! The new developers are adding a quarter-mile road between 47th and 48th Avenues that will include outdoor dining, a fountain, and kids’ play areas. (See a view from above here.) And that’s in addition to the Trader Joe’s, Life Time Fitness, and Wayfair in the works for the area.
DRONE IMAGE BY JOE MEASE
NEW HOMES
This one isn’t a new business to welcome, but we mention it because it’s all part of the growth and development of our neighborhood! Just a few recent updates: 146 townhouses are coming to the area near the Central Park Station, at East 35th and East 36th avenues and North Ulster and North Uinta streets. The area will have shared outdoor spaces including barbeque stations and a dog run. In the Northfield area, more than 200 townhomes will be added on the southwest corner of Northfield Boulevard and Willow Street. The CPUN (Central Park United Neighbors) gave a fantastic presentation updating all the latest housing news back in May; check out our recap of that plus their presentation here.
Whew, listing it all out makes me realize just how much great change this is for our neighborhood! After living and working here for 14 years, I love seeing the neighborhood change and grow to fit the needs of all of us who live here. Personally, I am excited about all of these new businesses—in particular, I’m psyched for all my North End friends and clients who are about to have a way easier time grocery shopping. As for me, I’m loving a lot of these new restaurants and a visit to Hida is next on my list! (Or maybe Marczyk Fine Burger…too many new options!)
What new neighborhood options are you most excited about? Reminder to subscribe to Central Park Scoop here to have our latest posts about news and real estate in the neighborhood delivered right to your inbox every Friday. You can also find the Central Park Scoop, powered by Focus Real Estate, on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
