,

Laughing Latte Wins Holiday Wreath Contest

Congratulations to Laughing Latte for capturing the grand prize in the first annual LoHi Wreath Decorating Contest. The contest required participants to create wreaths that best reflected the nature of their businesses. Laughing Latte (located at 32nd Avenue and Tejon Street) got the top nod for a festive wreath made out of coffee filters (which gave the appearance of creamy foam) and accessorized with coffee beans and sprigs of cinnamon. You can check out the winning wreath below.

Pasquini’s Pizzeria was first runner up; Pilates studio Joie de Vivre, which incorporated springs from its reformer machines into its wreath, was awarded second runner up status and LoHi Fitness Club was third runner up. You can see a sample of the some of the lovely wreaths below.


Thanks to the 29 LoHi merchants who participated in this year’s contest. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to our judges: Westword Editor Patty Calhoun, 9News reporter Heidi McGuire, Lorenzo Gibson and Samantha Martel of Denver News and 5280 Magazine’s Luc Hatlestad. The wreaths will be on display until Christmas, so I encourage you to stroll through the neighborhood and check them all out.

The contest kicked off with a holiday lighting ceremony at Little Man Ice Cream, complete with carolers, Santa Claus, live reindeer and free pizza from Pasquini’s. The event drew such a supportive crowd that we hope to make the lighting celebration a holiday tradition. I feel so lucky to live in a neighborhood with such a strong sense of community. Happy Holidays!

/by
,

Menchie’s Celebrates Grand Opening in Highland

Thanks to everyone who attended the grand opening celebration of Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Highland over the weekend. The three day event, which included free yogurt, face-painting, arts and crafts, a blind yogurt tasting, open mic performances and prizes, was a big success, attracting residents of all ages and such dignitaries as Denver City Councilwoman Judy Montero and Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher. A longtime Highland resident, Gallagher cut the ribbon for the store’s “official” opening with Montero and representatives from the Tennyson Center for Children.



Menchie’s Highland Owner Cyndi Hause graciously donated a portion of sales from the weekend’s festivities to the the Tennyson Center and the the junior roller derby league, the Rocky Mountain Roller Punks, raising $500 and $475 for each organization respectively. Here are members of the Roller Punks blind tasting some of Menchie’s numerous flavors.

Fundraising will be a key component of Menchie’s involvement in the Highland neighborhood going forward. The shop is already serving as a community gathering spot for North High School students and local families and is helping to further the revitalization efforts that have breathed new life into the corner of 32nd and Clay Streets.


If you haven’t stopped in to Menchie’s yet, I encourage you to check it out. The shop offers more than 100 rotating yogurt flavors (ranging from green apple tart to New York cheesecake) made from its own private label. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.


<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;}

/by
, , , , , , , ,

Little Man Ice Cream Introduces Bobo Cones

Don’t let the cold weather keep you from visiting Little Man Ice Cream this winter. The shop (and longtime client of The Stasko Agency) just launched a new line of “all weather” cones that are sure to keep the chill off. Called Bobo Cones, these creative concoctions pair flavored waffle cones with such cold weather fillings as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.


The choices range from hearty (a savory cone loaded with pulled pork and broccoli and carrot slaw) to healthy (a flaxseed cone filled with quinoa). Made fresh using locally-sourced ingredients, the Bobo cones are available daily until 4 p.m and replace the shop’s previous cold weather fare.


The Bobo Cones passed KDVR’s Dan Daru’s taste test when he sampled a macaroni and cheese-filled Bobo Cone during the station’s morning broadcast a few weeks ago. You can view Dan’s report here. The new cones were also featured in the Huffington Post and on several food blogs including IceCream News.


Little Man Owner Paul Tamburello (who did a great job dishing up scoops for Dan Daru) named the cones after his grandfather, who was affectionately referred to as Bobo by his grandchildren.

The cones make great mobile meals, so try one for a quick lunch or dinner. We know you won’t be disappointed.

/by
,

Urban Dwellers Lands Denver Post Spread



I was so excited to open the Denver Post’s Lifestyle’s section on November 3rd and see two of my favorite people staring back at me. Bruce Littlehorn and Larry Beard Jr. own urbandwellers, a unique home furnishings company that The Stasko Agency began working with last year. The couple’s business is based out of their home – a 1,000-square foot loft that also doubles as a showroom for urbandwellers’ designs.

Post writer Sheba Wheeler profiled the pair and their unconventional home, explaining how the residence seamlessly showcases urbandwellers space-saving products, including a coffee table from its “hom” line and indoor fountains (one is pictured below) from the company’s “flo” collection. You can read the article here.



If you live in an urban abode with limited space, I encourage to check out ubandwellers designs. You can find a list of stores that carry urbandwellers products here.

/by
,

Veterans to Farmers

@font-face { font-family: “Courier New”; }@font-face { font-family: “Wingdings”; }@font-face { font-family: “ＭＳ 明朝”; }@font-face { font-family: “Cambria Math”; }@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0in; }ul { margin-bottom: 0in;

This past Veteran’s Day, we were lucky enough to help Circle Fresh Farms spread the word about a program the company launched to help veterans transition into farming . Called Veterans to Farmers, the Denver-based non-profit places veterans at one of Circle Fresh’s network farms, where they learn agricultural skills and gain on the job experience by growing sustainable, greenhouse-raised crops.

Veterans can complete the program in nine months or less and have the opportunity to join Circle Fresh’s network once they’re done, providing participants with potential for sustainable, long-term income.


We were proud to see the Veterans to Farmers program highlighted in the Denver Business Journal, The Fence Post, The Colorado Springs Independent and on 9News, 7NEWS and Examiner.com.


We encourage you to read the stories and let the veterans in your lives know about this special program. Veterans to Farmers is doing important work – providing our communities with fresh, healthy and organic produce, while helping our veterans adjust back into a productive civilian life.

/by
,

Zocalo Sells Solera for Record Price




@font-face { font-family: “ＭＳ 明朝”; }@font-face { font-family: “ＭＳ 明朝”; }@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection

Last month, The Stasko Agency helped Zocalo Community Development announce the sale of its downtown hi-rise apartment building Solera, which fetched $37 million in a deal with a New Jersey real estate company. The sale was a record for the state of Colorado and garnered the attention of the Denver Business Journal, Inside Real Estate, the Denver Post and Yahoo! Finance.

Solera is downtown Denver’s first LEED Gold certified apartment building and features a slew of earth-friendly finishes, including Energy-star rated appliances and high-efficiency lighting. A Personal Energy Monitor is also provided in each unit to help residents become more educated about their energy usage, saving residents up to 50 percent in energy bills. Located at 20th and Lawrence streets, Solera is just blocks away from some of Denver’s best restaurants, shops and entertainment.


Zocalo, led by developer David Zucker, continues to keep us busy. In September, the company announced plans to build a 13-story, 220-unit apartment project at 17th & Chestnut streets in the heart of the Union Station. When construction starts early next year, it will be the second Zocalo project under development downtown. The other – 2020 Lawrence – is a 231-unit apartment building located a block away from Solera. Both projects will be LEED Gold certified.

We’re sure David has more up his sleeve, so stay tuned. If you’d like more information about the company, click here.

/by
,

1515 Restaurant Entertains Event Planners

At The Stasko Agency, we strive to connect our clients with the right audience. For some clients that means performing media outreach. For others, it requires building business partnerships.

When we first walked into 1515 Restaurant and saw what a great meeting venue it was, we knew we had to raise the downtown eatery’s profile among local event planners. With its exposed brick walls and large windows overlooking Market Street, 1515’s dining area serves as the perfect backdrop for a rehearsal dinner, holiday party or elegant birthday bash.


So, earlier this month, we invited some of Denver’s most influential event planners to experience the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere and creative cuisine. The guests included representatives from Visit Denver,   Skyline Productions, Convention Design, Sena Marketing Strategies, Event Designs and RevNetworking. These expert party planners sampled a wide range of items designed to showcase 1515’s unique, contemporary American fare.



The menu included tender strips of Wagyu Beef, seared diver scallops, Sous Vide Colorado lamb and Fruit De Mer, a combination of lobster, mussels, clams, scallops and potato. 1515 Owner Gene Tang. who serves as a master sommelier, also gave guests a tour of his wine collection (which includes more than 450 vintages) and offered wine selections that paired perfectly with every meal.



 <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -The event planners also explored 1515’s large space, which includes a private dining room for up to 55 guests, a main dining room for up to 95 guests, and a separate bar and lounge area on the lower levels available for up to 50 guests.

For more information visit www.1515restaurant.com or call 303-571-0011.


/by
, , , , ,

Stasko Agency Clients Top A-List

Congratulations to The Firehaus Salon for winning the Best Hair Salon and Best Hair Color categories in Denver’s 7 A-List awards. Competing against 341 metro-area salons, Firehaus became the first salon in A-List history to capture both categories in the same year.


Located in a 101-year old firehouse at the corner of 36th Avenue and Tejon streets in Highland, The Firehaus offers a range of services, from color and cuts to straightening and styling. And to thank customers for their support, the salon is offering a 20 percent discount off of all services during the month of October!

Denver voters also recognized 1515 Restaurant, a new client of The Stasko Agency and winner of the Best New American restaurant on the Denver’s 7 A-List. The elegant downtown eatery (located at 1515 Market Street) garnered more votes than 43 other competitors, earning distinction for its unique and innovative cuisine.

Entering it’s 15th year, the restaurant is offering lunch and happy hour specials for just $15.15. During lunch, diners can choose from two entrees (the Kobe Beef Burger, Pappardelle Pasta) for $15.15, while Happy Hour visitors can select one appetizer from the bar menu and two drinks for
$15.15. The offer is good until November 15th.

<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –

/by
, , , , , ,

HeadsUp Wows Crowds at Interbike Convention



Last month, The Stasko Agency client HeadsUp Systems unveiled its revolutionary new damage protection device to great fanfare at this year’s Interbike International Bicycle Convention, the bicycling industry’s largest trade show. Held in Las Vegas, the event drew more than 23,000 attendees, including retail buyers and journalists from around the world.

HeadsUp stole the show, generating plenty of buzz for its wireless alert system that helps outdoor enthusiasts avoid “racking” their roof-mounted sports gear. The system sends a signal to drivers as they approach their garages, reminding them about the bikes, kayaks, canoes and other equipment they may have mounted on top of their cars.

The company’s innovation didn’t go unnoticed. HeadsUp Systems was chosen as a “showstopper” (one of 12 “don’t miss” exhibitors highlighted by expo organizers) during the show’s first day and earned a bevy of media mentions. Outdoor industry news sites such as About.com, Gadgets SPY, XYDO, MTBR, GizMag and Bicycling.com all featured HeadsUp Systems’ unique product as did blogger DC Rainmaker and the Product News Channel, which features emerging products.

HeadsUp Systems not only wowed the media, but also caught the attention of buyers looking to add the company’s wireless alert system to their offerings. The company is signing up new domestic retailers every week, with one very high-profile outdoor retailer possibly stocking HeadsUp System by mid-November. By next spring, the product should be available in retailers throughout Europe and Australia.


For now, fans can find the HeadsUp System online for $169.99. And if you’d like to see HeadsUp Systems Co-Founder Tom Rieber explaining out the wireless alert system works, click here.

/by
, , , , , , , , ,

Stasko Agency Adds Clients

I am absolutely thrilled about helping three old friends (who also happen to be successful entrepreneurs ) promote their latest achievements. Pasquini’s Founder Tony Pasquini, David Zucker, principal of Zocalo Community Development and Paris on the Platte Owner Faye Maguire all have very different businesses, but they share a pioneering spirit that I truly admire and I am excited about using my skills to shine the light on what they do.



Last month, The Stasko Agency spread the word about the re-grand opening of Pasquini’s Highland location, which Tony recently acquired. The event drew a big crowd and gave Tony a chance to reconnect with the neighborhood. I’ll also be helping Pasquini’s gain more exposure for the Lone Tree location as well as some new stores that will be coming on line in the next few months.

After a hiatus, The Stasko Agency is once again serving as the agency of record for Zocalo, a builder of sustainable, multi-family projects. On Thursday, we announced the firm’s latest project – a LEED Gold certified, high-rise apartment adjacent to Union Station. The story was picked up by the Denver Post and Inside Real Estate News. I look forward to providing updates on the project and Zocalo’s other developments, which include Solera and the recently launched 20/20 Lawrence Apartments. Here’s a great photo of David and Mayor Hickenlooper in action during the news conference announcing Solera’s groundbreaking.

Lastly, I encourage you to stop by Paris on the Platte Cafe and Bar on Friday, September 23rd or Saturday, September 24th as the cafe marks its 25th birthday. Friday night will feature music by the acoustic duo middleroad, while Saturday night will serve as a tribute to the cafe, with former and current employees and patrons sharing stories. The event, a benefit for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, will also include several musical performances and drawings for gift baskets and other items. Although the coffeehouse (and former bookstore) was one of the first businesses to take a chance on once lonely Platte Street, it managed to gather a devoted following of regulars who were known affectionately as “Parisites.” Congrats to Faye for building an institution that holds great memories for so many, including me! Here’s a look at me and my fellow revelers enjoying a “Little Black Dress” party at Paris two years ago.

/by