, , , , , , ,

LoHi Merchant Meeting Update

We had another great turnout for our second LoHi merchant meeting last month at Linger. I was amazed again at the diversity of businesses represented and the number of new faces interested in joining our fledgling association. Special thanks to Linger Owner and Chef Justin Cucci, for allowing the merchants to sample the restaurant’s innovative menu and tour the unique space on a night when Linger is normally closed. The view from Linger’s patio is one of the best in Denver and well-worth checking out.


As a longtime Highland business owner, I’m excited about so many merchants joining forces to more effectively market everything our neighborhood has to offer. One idea that we’re still working on is the creation of a welcome basket for new residents. The “basket” would contain a variety of gift certificates and merchandise from local vendors to help introduce new residents to the neighborhood and educate them about the services and products available. I am looking for help to coordinate this project, so if you’re interested, please let me know.


We also discussed the idea of launching a LoHi shuttle that would run from downtown to Highland, stopping at the major business districts in the area. The shuttle could help attract tourists from downtown hotels and would drive business without adding more congestion to the neighborhood. I’ll keep everyone posted as we work on making this concept a reality.

Lastly, I’m excited to announce that we’ve secured a URL for the merchant group and hope to develop a website soon to promote our activities. I’m also sending out updates on events and discounts through the new “Merchant Messenger,” so if you have something you’d like me to include, please let me know. The best way to reach me is via email – lu@staskoagency.com

Our next meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 26th at Spuntino, 2639 W. 32nd Ave. I hope to see you there!

/by
, , , , , , ,

Cellar Wine Bar Shines Spotlights on Cocktails

Last month, a group of local media gathered at Cellar Wine Bar in Lower Highland to sample the venue’s impressive menu of newly crafted cocktails. Known as the Sake infusion series, the cocktails feature fresh fruits, herbs and other seasonal ingredients and are the brainchild of Erik Catelle, an award-winning mixologist who recently joined Cellar’s staff.

We were excited to get feedback on the new concoctions from our media panel, who agreed to rate their favorites from a field of six contenders. The judges included: Margaret Jackson and Penny Parker of the Denver Post; North Denver Tribune Editor Elisa Cohen and writer Basha Cohen; Downtown Denver News Publisher Samantha Martel, Wine Spectator Writer Jayne Russell, Denver By the Slice blogger David Huntress and his wife, photographer Diane Huntress and Piper Vitale of Colorado Expression. Here’s a look at the lovely Natsu Kyurri – a summertime spritzer cocktail with muddled cucumber, a ginger basil infused simple syrup, Sake and a splash of soda served on the rocks.

The Natsu Kyurri looked pretty, but the Lychee Colada – a fruity blend of fresh-muddled lychee, coconut milk, fresh squeezed lime, Sake and a dash of soda – proved most popular. Coming in a close second was the cleverly named Sake Tini, a modern take on the martini which mixes Sake, vermouth, olive juice and star fruit. Third place went to the simple yet sophisticated Blooming Champagne, a beautiful pink drink featuring hibiscus flower, champagne and bitters. Thanks to our judges for serving as a taste testers. Here they are hard at work.





The three media faves are now fixtures on Cellar’s menu. True to its name, the bar also offers more than 40 wines by the glass. If you’d like to sample some of their selection, consider attending Cellar’s next wine tasting on September 7th. The event, which showcases Infinite Monkey Theorem’s wines, will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find more information about the tasting here.


/by
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HeadsUp Helps Outdoor Enthusiasts Protect Their Gear

Attention outdoor enthusiasts: Have you ever driven into your garage with a bike or kayak still on your roof rack? Well, a new product developed by Stasko Agency client HeadsUp Systems should help you avoid making that mistake ever again. The product – launched just last week – is a wireless alert system that sends a signal to drivers as they approach their garages, reminding them if they have bikes, kayaks, canoes and other sports equipment mounted on top of their cars.

The HeadsUp System costs $169.99 and includes an LED alert sign that mounts inside the garage, tiny wireless tags that attach to bikes, kayaks, etc. and a wireless “alerter” that stays in the vehicle. When a driver returns home with gear on the roof, the sign in the garage flashes and the alerter inside the car sounds a warning tone to prevent the driver from entering the garage.



The alert system is the brainchild of competitive cyclist Tom Rieber, who drove his roof-mounted bike into the garage 15 years ago, after a long night of riding. Rieber joined forced with Karl Sowa, a former marketing executive for GeoCities (among other start-ups), to make HeadsUp Systems a reality.

We’re excited to help Tom and Karl spread the news about HeadsUp, which was highlighted by Denver Business Journal Columnist Bruce Goldberg in June. The product is now being reviewed by editors at several cycling and outdoor recreation publications, so expect to hear more about HeadsUp in the coming months.

And if you have a horror story about “racking” your equipment in the garage, feel free to share it with the folks at HeadsUp. Post your story (and any accompanying photos) on the HeadsUp website and you could win a free alert system. Subscribers to the site will vote on the stories next month.

For more information, visit www.headsupsystems.com

/by
,

Highland Merchants Unite

Anyone who knows me, knows how passionate I am about everything the Highland neighborhood has to offer. So, I was thrilled to see more than 50 local merchants turn out July 25th, for a tour and informational meeting at Tejon34. Hosted by Stasko Agency client Red Chair Realty Advisors, the event gave merchants the opportunity to view a beautiful property and learn more about the neighborhood where they run their businesses. Attendees represented a wide range of businesses, from restaurants such as Highland Tap and Burger and Pasquini’s to

retailer such as Goldyn and Amendment XXI and the new dentistry practice, Pearl Dentistry.



Red Chair partners Paul Tamburello and Rick Flanagan provided an update on commercial and residential projects and also offered information about the changing demographics of the neighborhood. As a longtime Highland resident and business owner, I was happy to share some fun facts about my favorite stomping ground. Did you know that:

  • Highland includes more than 7,000 households
  • When you are speaking about both the Lower Highland and West Highlands, it’s commonly referred to as “The Highlands.” But when the Lower Highland – on its own- is simply called Highland (no “s”).
  • There are 48 retaurants/bars in the neighborhood.
  • Highland is bounded by Federal Boulevard to the west, Interstate 25 to the east, 38th Avenued to the north and Speer Boulevard to the south.
  • Highland is home to seven churches and one monastery.



We also discussed more effective ways to work together as business owners. To help spur more partnerships, I’ll be sending out a “Merchant Messenger” to promote merchant specials and events. We are also in the process of creating a welcome gift basket for new residents that would include items and discount cards from local businesses.



Since the response to the first gathering was so strong, we’ve decided to start meeting monthly! Our next event will be held on August 29th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave. If you want to learn more, feel free to call or email me – 303-477-9902/lu@staskoagency.com. Also, be sure to follow me on Facebook for updates: www.facebook.com/TheStaskoAgency.

/by
,

Tejon34 Sells First Unit

The Stasko Agency is proud to announce that Red Chair Realty Advisors has sold its first unit in the Tejon34 development. The three bedroom, three-and-a-half bedroom townhome located at the corner of 34th Avenue and Tejon Street, sold on June 27th for $855,000. The 3,000-square foot unit features a two-car garage, a master suite with five-piece bath and more than 1,000-square feet of outdoor living space.


Buyer Jim Hill, who is leaving Centennial for life in the city, said he and his wife were attracted to Tejon34 because of its size and spectacular views of the Denver skyline.
“It has the same square footage as our suburban home, it’s just laid out differently,” noted Jim. “And we like the fact that there’s a lot of outside space. The rooftop deck is a real selling point.”
Indeed, here’s a peek at the view from the deck of Jim’s new home:


Jim also liked Tejon34’s close proximity to dining, bars, bike paths and major sports facilities. The property is also a “smart” development, featuring Energy Star rated Viking appliances and a high-efficiency gas fireplace.


It doesn’t hurt that Highland has been getting a lot of publicity lately for it’s great lifestyle and amenities. 5280 Magazine named the neighborhood one of Denver’s most compelling and Downtown Denver News featured Tejon34 in its most recent issue. You can read about it here. Be sure to look for news about the development in the next issue of Out Front Colorado.

Built by River Meadow, LLC, Tejon34’s first phase includes five units. Two units are the market and two others should be ready for sale by September. For more information check out the Tejon34 blog.

/by
, , , , , , , ,

Cellar Wine Bar Celebrates First Anniversary



Congratulations to Cellar Wine Bar, which just celebrated its first anniversary. To mark the occasion, we helped the LoHi lounge throw a festive summer party that also served as a fundraiser for the Urban Green Development Sustainable Scholarship Foundation. The foundation is raising money to fund one full-ride scholarship for a North High School student interested in pursuing a career in green and renewable industries.

Cellar Wine Bar owners Brian Delgado and Sandra Lopez donated $1 from every glass of wine sold during the party to the foundation. The cause is especially close the couple’s heart, since they met and fell in love as students at North High. The pair, who married in August 2005, chose to open their business in Highland because of their connection to the neighborhood. As successful entrepreneurs, they serve as role models for current North High students. The anniversary celebration provided the opportunity for Brian and Sandra (pictured below left) to thank the community for its support, while providing a hand up for future generations.


The event drew a big crowd and guests included new North High principal Nicole Veltze, Shapes Salon Owner Richelle Bishop-Gonzales, Denver Public Schools board member Arturo Jimenez, Wine Spectator writer Jayne Russell and Metromix/9News reporter Heidi McGuire.


Thanks to all who joined us for the festivities. If you haven’t already, please check out Cellar Wine Bar, located at the corner of 15th and Umatilla. The bar offers 35 different types of wines by the glass as well as sake, beer, cocktails and Spanish-influenced appetizers, including beef and potato empanadas. A patio is the works, which should provide the perfect spot to while away the remaining summer days.



/by
,

MSEC featured in Colorado Business Journals

A survey conducted by our client, Mountain States Employers Council, has recently been featured in several media outlet, including the Denver Business Journal:

“Colorado businesses are experiencing double-digit percentage increases in insurance costs for the third straight year and are passing along a greater portion of them to employees, according to a new survey by the Mountain States Employers Council (MSEC).

Health coverage costs rose an average of 10 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to the 541 companies that reported an increase this year, said Patty Goodwin, director of surveys for the employers’ support organization that has about 3,000 member employers.”

Click here to read more.

/by
,

Hula Hoop Contest at Little Man Ice Cream

Burn calories, support a local nonprofit, and have a chance to win a great prize, all at once! Come on down tonight, Wed. 6/22 at 7:30pm to Little Man Ice Cream for their Annual Hula Hoop Competition! The grand prize: two 3-day passes to see Widespread Panic at Red Rocks (a sold out show!) Grab your friends and your hula hoops and shake it for your chance to win the prize! Registration is only $15 for competitors, and all the proceeds will benefit The GrowHaus, an interactive, indoor urban garden and education center.

For information, call (303) 455-3811. (Remember to bring your own hula hoop!)


/by
,

Circle Fresh Farms Gains Ground

Denver’s farmer’s markets serve as a great source of locally-grown fruits and vegetables every summer. But where do you go during the off-seasonfor fresh fare? One of our clients – Circle Fresh Farms – is helping to solve that dilemma by working with local farmers to grow pesticide-free produce year-round in greenhouses.
The Denver-based company has a network of five farms that are supplying tomatoes and lettuce to Whole Foods stores throughout the metro area. Circle Fresh helps the farmers by providing access to financial resources, sales and marketing support and guidance on growing food hydroponically in greenhouses. Some of the farmers, such as former Longmont nursery owner Jon Hulme, have transitioned to completely new crops with Circle Fresh Farms’ help.
Jon’s shift from growing trees to producing tomatoes has already caught the attention of several local media outlets, who covered the farmer’s first tomato harvest earlier this month. His success story was featured in the Boulder Daily Camera, Longmont Times Call and Boulder County Business Report. Here are a few pictures of Jon, his beautiful tomatoes and one of his happy harvesters.


We expect Circle Fresh Farms to garner more exposure as it add more farms to its budding network. In addition to selling its products at Whole Foods, the company is also working on local restaurants that may want to feature locally-grown produce on their menus. So, consider asking where the food is grown next time you dine out. Happy eating!
/by
,

Employment Law Conferences Gain Attention

We want to send out a hearty congratulations to Mountain States Employers Council, which just wrapped up a series of well-attended Employment Law Conferences throughout the state. The conferences were held in May in Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs. Geared towards managers, supervisors and Human Resource professionals, the annual conference covers the most significant employment law updates. This year’s conference, which included sessions on workplace incivility and changes to disability laws, captured a good amount of media attention.


MSEC experts shared their insights about these important topics with the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, the Grand Valley Business Journal, NewsChannel 5 (the CBS affiliate in Grand Junction) and KRDO (1240 AM) in Colorado. Gregg Moss of 9News’ morning broadcast also interviewed Mark Parcheta, an attorney with MSEC and a panelist at all four conferences. You can view that interview here.

Thanks to Mark and his colleagues Lorrie Ray and Evan Abbott for making themselves available while juggling their conference duties. Here’s a photo of Evan and Mark at the Denver conference.

We also wanted to say kudos to Linhart PR for winning a Colorado BMA Gold Key award for its work on HealthSource Colorado. HealthSource Colorado is a groundbreaking health plan available to MSEC members through UnitedHealthcare, a Linhart client.

 

/by