There’s a lot going on around Denver’s Central Park these days!
As the managing broker of Focus Real Estate, I track the latest business news around the neighborhood. We’re continuing our tradition of featuring local businesses (last year we featured 100+ local business all for free).
Our goal is to help promote local businesses any way we can. Email me at Mariel@Focus-Realtors.com if you’d like more information. And if you like these kinds of local posts sign up for the Scoop.
Before we dive in, our team has been busy helping clients with new construction homes all over Denver the past two years – in Central Park’s North End, Castle Rock’s Macanta, Littleton’s Sterling Ranch, Castle Pines’ The Canyons, and others.
And on the resale front, our team’s listings have been performing well so far in 2023. As interest rates stabilize our buyers are starting to re-engage and are ready to buy.
Our team of brokers would love to help you if you’re thinking about buying, selling, building, or leasing real estate anywhere in the Denver metro – so reach out to anyone at Focus for help.
Now, on to the business updates!
TAG BURGER BAR IS COMING
TAG Burger Bar is coming to Central Park’s Eastbridge Town Center, courtesy of restauranteur Troy Guard. Guard and his TAG Restaurant Group are bringing the concept back to life after the original Burger Bar closed in Congress Park a few years ago.
The new restaurant is going into the space previously occupied by Kitchen Next Door / ND Street Bar. The address is 10155 E. 29th, Denver, Colorado, and the restaurant will be next to Guard’s other Central Park restaurants – Los Chingones and HashTag.
Fans of the original TAG Burger Bar can expect to see familiar favorites from Guard including his classic but innovative burgers, boozy milkshakes, and weekend brunch, along with a few new recipes.
Says Guard, “This location will not feel like an old concept, but will return as a livelier and more modern restaurant, much like our other brands. We are so excited to bring back TAG Burger Barand continue the growth of TAG Restaurant Group throughout Denver.”
TAG Burger Bar is aiming for a spring 2024 opening.
IS FIRST WATCH MOVING INTO NORTHFIELD?
Our team is checking out some of the new restaurants that could be moving into Denver’s Central Park.
A site plan shows First Watch moving into Runway 35 North next to I-70. The daytime cafe could be moving in just west of the new In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s off Central Park Blvd.
A few weeks ago we stopped by one of First Watch’s other Denver locations. The sit down restaurant has a casual breakfast vibe with traditional breakfast options mixed in with green and healthy plates.
Right now First Watch’s lot in Runway 35 North is still at the dirt phase. We don’t have an anticipated opening date yet.
TRAVELING MERCIES REPLACING SKY BAR
The team behind the award-winning Annette restaurant is planning on opening an oyster and cocktail bar called “Traveling Mercies” in the space previously occupied by Sky Bar. The new restaurant will be located on the third floor of the Stanley Marketplace.
We’ll update everyone on the Scoop social media pages when we have a confirmed opening date.
PEARL MARKET UNDER CONSTRUCTION OFF 56TH
Pearl Market is under construction in The Shops at Beeler Park and shooting for a summer 2024 opening date. What is Pearl Market?
Here’s a great description from Pearl Market’s website:
“Inspired by the European style market, a daily gathering place where you can get a cup of coffee or shop for your daily grocery needs. Pearl Market will feature a full butcher and seafood counter, fresh housemade pasta, fresh produce, locally sourced eggs, and all the ingredients for your daily meals.
In addition to providing all the ingredients that you might need on a daily basis Pearl Market will feature its own pizzeria, deli counter, coffee shop and ice cream in the summer.
Our goal is to bring you beyond the common grocery experience.”
You can learn more in Joe Phillip’s post here.
DRYBAR IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Drybar – the popular hair blowout salon – is moving into Denver’s Central Park. The salon is moving into the 29th Ave Town Center just south of I -70, in the space next to the now closed Pizzeria Locale.
Window signage is up on the space, and architectural renderings from June 2023 for a tenant improvement project for Drybar show a salon with a lobby, back bar area with 8 stations/seats, shampoo room, break room, and restroom.
The renderings show the lobby with “drybar” and “PEACE, LOVE & BLOWOUTS” signs
The new location is at 7575 E. 29th Place, Suite 7501, Denver, CO 80238.
Drybar has almost 100 stores nationwide, including 3 in Denver.
CRACKER BARREL, ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD, AND MORE COMING
Cracker Barrel, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Fairfield Inn, 7 Brew Coffee, and the Superstar Car Wash could all be moving into Denver’s Runway 35 South.
The new development is close to I-70 and Central Park Blvd.
Just east of the new Wendy’s and QuikTrip, construction of the car wash is well underway. You can see the new car wash in the rear of the picture (just behind the blue arrow).
Cracker Barrel and Fairfield Inn could be going in just left of this picture. Andy’s Frozen Custard and 7 Brew could front 40th Ave between QuikTrip and the car wash.
We stopped by last week and the new car wash appears almost complete, but the other sites are still dirt.
OLD AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER OPEN FOR TOURS
The hottest ticket in Central Park right now? After more than 25 years of silence, the iconic airport control tower is now open for tours to the public.
Standing at a height of 164 feet – almost 11 stories of stairs straight up – air traffic controllers watched over countless takeoffs and landings at the old airport before Denver International Airport opened in 1995
The new FlyteCo Tower tour offers you the chance to ascend to the very top, where the view is nothing short of breathtaking.
This is a “must-do” for aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and everyone who enjoys an amazing view.
Learn more here.
BOYCHIK TO OFFER PITA WRAPS, HUMMUS BOWLS, AND MORE
We stopped by the Boychik tent at the Stanley Fall Fest a few weeks ago and tried one of Boychik’s delicious chicken shawarma pita wraps. The new location will offer pita wraps, hummus bowls, plates, salads, and more.
Boychik is opening in Stanley Marketplace in early 2024.
THE GARDNER SCHOOL NOW OPEN
The Gardner School opened in Northfield on November 27th. Here’s more about the school from its website:
“The Gardner School of Central Park is a rich learning environment that will stimulate your child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. We believe each child should have early social-emotional learning, engaging educational activities, and plenty of time to explore and play.
The Gardner School of Central Park offers preschool and early childhood programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.”
CENTRAL PARK’S SMOOTHIE KING OWNED BY FORMER NFL PLAYER
A few weeks ago we stopped by Central Park’s locally-owned Smoothie King for a quick meeting – always a good experience courtesy of brother and sister owners Josh and Gabby Martin. Josh and Gabby grew up in Aurora, and Josh played for 9 years in the NFL. Swing by and say hi!
The new Smoothie King is located at 9165 Northfield Blvd, Denver, CO 80238.
LULULEMON NOW OPEN
A new Lululemon pop-up recently opened in The Shops at Northfield. The new store is located at 47th & Main Street.
The Scoop heard (but has not received verification yet) that the new location could become a permanent location depending on how the pop-up store performs.
THE CO SPOT NOW OPEN
A new store with Colorado-themed shirts and apparel recently opened in The Shops at Northfield. The CO Store is located close to Harkins Theater near the south side of the outdoor mall.
You can learn more at thecospot.com.
LUCKY STRIKE MOVING IN NEXT TO SUPER TARGET AND BASS PRO
Denver’s new Lucky Strike is currently projected to open in 2024 in The Shops at Northfield.
The new location is close to I-70 and Quebec. Lucky Strike is opening between Bass Pro and Super Target.
We originally heard this location would be a Bowlero, but a few weeks ago Lucky Strike and Bowlero announced they’re combining.
DENVER’S NEW P.F. CHANG’S OPENS
In mid-November P.F. Chang’s opened a new restaurant at 8260 Northfield Blvd, #1360. The Scoop stopped by the grand opening and we loved the interior decorations and high energy environment.
The new restaurant is located in The Shops at Northfield, close to the Super Target.
SEPHORA NOW OPEN IN NORTHFIELD
A new Sephora is now open in Denver’s Shops at Northfield – close to the new (future) Lucky Strike, P.F. Chang’s, Lululemon, and more.
NEW BANK OPENING OFF NORTHFIELD BOULEVARD
A new BOK Bank is moving into Northfield, just north of Super Target and west of Wahoo’s.
We stopped by last week and the bank appears almost complete. We’ll update everyone once we have a confirmed opening date.
EYEGLASS DONATION PROGRAM
Here’s an interesting program our team recently learned about. You don’t need to toss out your old eyeglasses – instead, you can donate them to Denver’s Lions Club at a cool dropbox outside Stanley Marketplace.
The Denver Lions Recycle for Sight program collects used eyeglasses to be taken to facilities where they are cleaned and the prescriptions are read.
Each year the Denver Lions collect 50,000+ glasses from 100+ boxes.
SECOND DAWN BREWING MAKING WAVES IN AURORA
Our team here at the Scoop and Focus offices out of Progress Coworking in Aurora (a block east of Stanley Marketplace). One small business we’ve been supporting recently is right next door to us – Second Dawn Brewing.
Located at 2302 Dayton St. in Aurora, Second Dawn has a great selection of drinks, fun and casual environment, and a dog-friendly patio. Stop on by!
HIGH POINT CREAMERY COMING TO THE 29TH AVE TOWN CENTER
A new small batch, handcrafted ice cream store is coming to Central Park’s 29th Ave Town Center. High Point Creamery currently has locations in RINO, Berkeley, and Hilltop.
We’ll update everyone when we have a projected opening date.
Contractor’s Corner: WINDOW DOCTOR OF COLORADO
We work with a lot of contractors here at the Scoop and Focus Real Estate. We try to highlight those we have good experiences with – especially those that are local businesses.
When my youngest son broker one of our basement windows, we called Window Doctor of Colorado, LLC, which is locally-owned by a Denver family, and who help out with a lot of our Central Park real estate clients.
Mike, Joe, and Dom have helped our clients with new windows, broken windows, sliding glass doors, and more.
www.windowdoctorofcolorado.com
WORKING OR LIVING CLOSE TO THE ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS?
Be sure to check out our e-book about our neighbor next door, the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Thinking about moving to Denver for a job on CU, Children’s, the VA, or somewhere else on campus?
Curious to learn more about living near Anschutz, from restaurants to commuting to housing?
Our team has helped dozens of Anschutz professionals understand what living and working near Anschutz is like.
I had the good fortune of working at Children’s Hospital in the Research Department for 9 years and would love to chat!
Just shoot me a note any time: Mariel@Focus-Realtors.com.
KIDS EAT FREE DEALS AROUND DENVER
Lisa Palladino on our team has a great Scoop post about different “Kids Eat Free” deals she’s uncovered around Denver.
Check it out here.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN DENVER
Rebecca Fawcett has all the Denver holiday happenings covered!
From Camp Christmas to The Nutcracker to the Polar Express and more, be sure to check out her Scoop post here.
So there you have it, friends!
Be sure to follow the Scoop on Facebook and Instagram.
If you missed our other neighborhood updates, here they are. We moved many of our recent updates onto our social media platforms (the Scoop on Facebook and Instagram), so check out those channels for additional news!
February 2023: Inside Scoop: Nike opens, new brewery makes waves, Natural Grocers & more!
April 2022: Inside Scoop: Lucina Eatery & Bar is here, 2 employees buy florist, Master Goblin Games opens, $63.5 Microsoft deal, new fashion boutique arrives, UCHealth opens, and more!
January 2021: Inside Scoop: $77m deal, Natural Grocers coming, new Sprouts tenants, Chook opens, Dirty Laundry is here, and more!
September 2020: Inside Scoop: new Starbucks gains steam, In-N-Out coming, 12-yr-old’s bike ramps go big, James Beard winner opening new restaurant, and more!
June 2019: Summer Scoop on Sprouts, Punchbowl Putt-Putt, a new Primrose, and more!
October 2019: Inside Scoop: Illegal Pete’s, a famous dumpling shop, Cholon, two new pizza joints, a Disney store, and more!
Focus is a residential real estate brokerage in Denver’s Central Park and doesn’t represent commercial, office, industrial, or other buyers/sellers. Focus and its agents make no representations, warranties, or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of any information in this post. Please confirm all information with your own advisors and do not rely on this post.
1 Comment
Danielle M
Hi!
At one point I heard rumors of CAVA joint Runway 35. Is that still the mix?