Why Food Halls Are Opening in Front Range Suburbs

Because suburban dwellers in Golden, Aurora, Greenwood Village, and Westminster appreciate good food, and entertainment too

Written by Allyson Reedy for 5280.com- July 7, 2021

It makes sense, really. Multiple fast-casual eateries clustered together under one roof with a shared dining area originated in suburban malls—remember food courts?—so the “trend” of opening food halls in the ’burbs isn’t as revolutionary as it may seem. New or not, it’s happening all over the non-Denver Front Range. Food halls, so often associated with urban settings, are popping up in Golden, Aurora, Greenwood Village, and Westminster.

“My interest over the last couple years has been the periphery and underserved neighborhoods. A lot of these places have been overlooked. As people move out to the suburbs who’ve spent their time in downtown Denver, they still have the same sensibilities and interests. They want good food in a gathering spot,” says Mark Shaker, the developer behind Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace, Golden’s the Golden Mill, and Capitol Hill’s Broadway Market.

Shaker’s next suburban food hall—the recently announced Westminster Alley—will open next May in the redevelopment of the former Westminster Mall site. The 12,000-square-foot space will have five food stalls and a self-pour wall for beer, wine, and cocktails. Shaker is working with the city on common consumption permitting so that food hall-goers can take their drinks out into the development’s central square. As for the food, Shaker says the lineup of culinary tenants is still to be determined but will once again tap partner Jesusio Silva for a concept or two. (Silva runs restaurants out of all of Shaker’s halls, which serve everything from sushi and ramen to tacos.)

“I’m excited for the project,” Shaker says. “Westminster has the opportunity to create a distinctive cool spot between Denver and Boulder. I’m bullish on the neighborhood. I think there’s going to be a lot of movement to the periphery and finding those underserved areas. People [living in the suburbs] want what they enjoyed downtown, but don’t want to go downtown anymore.”

Read the article the full article here.

Tips & Tricks for Beautiful Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a summer garden staple with their fluffy blooms and leafy foliage. They are great for adding some serious curb appeal and look gorgeous in a vase. Although they do require a little extra care, they are a beautiful addition to any outdoor space and are worth the extra effort as long as you know where to start.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Hydrangeas should be planted in the early spring or fall. Keep in mind that harsh afternoon sun can be damaging and they need to be in a spot with good drainage as to not rot the roots. Stick to organic materials and a great fertilizer, but keep it away from the leaves of the plant.
  2. Do not prune during the flowering season. Hydrangeas bloom on the old wood of the plant, so be careful not to over prune.
  3. Deadhead the spent blooms as needed. This is done by cutting off the faded blooms and helps to divert the energy to more important part’s of the plants growth. It encourages new blossoms and helps keep your plant looking fresh.
  4. Hydrangeas are very prone to molds and mildews. Avoid getting water on the leaves. You can create a foliage spray with one quart of water and two uncoated aspirin tablets dissolved in hot water and spray the foliage to eliminate any fungi on the leaves. Destroy any leaves that are severly damaged to ensure it doesn’t spread to the remainder of the plant.

Good to Know:

  • Hydrangeas are super easy to air dry. Cut the blooms off the plant when the petals start feeling a little papery. Next, remove the leaves and hang the stems upside down in a warm, well-ventilated spot out of bright light until the flowers are dry. Hydrangea flowers also will dry naturally on the plant so you can wait to cut them until they’ve completely dried. Once dried, they will last forever! Use dried hydrangeas in floral arrangements or attach to wreaths with floral wire.
  • Have a bouqet of hydrangeas that are wilting? Hold the wilted flower’s cut stem over a stovetop for around 15-20 seconds and then immediately return it to the vase. Also, change your water every other day and give each stem a fresh trim before returning to the vase.