Curated news and information worth Sharing
In this section of the site you'll find news and information we come across related to local businesses in Lafayette Colorado as well as local food initiatives along the Front Range and beyond.
Funky Flame Suddenly Closes Northside Cafe
via Westword
Posted April 22, 2024 6:23 pm by Paul Bonneville
We have hit a fork in our road and are choosing to walk down a different path for a myriad of reasons, both personal and professional. Thank you for four years of Funky Flame in Denver. Support your local businesses.

Sad news indeed. The Funky Flame was an inspirational business down in the Denver area we've looked to for inspiration over the last couple of years.
Locations
2557 West 46th Avenue,
Denver, CO,
United States
Organizations

Who's your farmer? Meet Rachel.
via Cure Organic Farm
Posted April 20, 2024 2:12 pm by Paul Bonneville
Our flower lead, Rachel, is in her 2nd very own growing season! Last year, Rachel began her entrepreneurial dreams by starting Wiley Farm & Co. You may remember seeing her beautiful floral arrangements at our farmstand. Rachel has grown Wiley Farm & Co's offerings and has created an herbal tea share for CSA members, and her teas are available at the Farm Stand and her booth at the Longmont Farmers Market (City Park market too, beginning in May).

Our partnership with Cure Organic Farm has been great on many levels. Local food, community and mingling with the spectacular humans who make it happen continues to be rewarding on so many levels.
Locations
7416 Valmont Road,
Lafayette, CO,
United States
Organizations

210 N Public/North Public Market (SPAR and Minor Subdivision)
via City of Lafayette, Colorado
Posted April 2, 2024 10:57 pm by Paul Bonneville
North Public Market design concept
Minor Subdivision and Site Plan/Architectural Review applications that will be reviewed by Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) and Planning Commission. A parking reduction request will be considered by the City Council as well as acceptance of any public easement granted by the plat.

Happy to see that the North Public Market project page is still listed on the city's planning web page. The project is still in flux at this point as I understand it, but I'll share any additional information here if learn anything. 

BV Builder's owns the property and continues to work with city on the project.
Locations
210 North Public Rd,
Lafayette, CO,
United States

707 S Public Rd - Daily Grains Bakery (Site Plan/Architectural Review & PUD)
via City of Lafayette, Colorado
Posted April 1, 2024 10:52 pm by Paul Bonneville
Daily Grains design concept
Staff is currently reviewing application for a Planned Unit Development to allow for a reduced front setback and Site Plan

Looks like the city got their development projects web pages back online recently. Happy to see our project listed but we still have no word on when it will be reviewed :)
Locations
707 South Public Rd,
Lafayette, CO,
United States
Organizations

Lafayette suggests amendments to Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities bill
via Colorado Hometown Weekly
Posted March 26, 2024 9:07 pm by Paul Bonneville
At the March 19 meeting Brasel said the resolution states Lafayette is opposed to the bill unless legislators collaborate with communities to make certain amendments. The resolution suggested the bill should focus on fixed transit routes and make incentives available for communities that comply with the bill rather than punish communities that do not comply by taking away funds.

City Hall xeriscape project
via City of Lafayette, Colorado
Posted March 25, 2024 10:54 pm by Paul Bonneville
Starting the week of March 25, City Hall is kicking off a major landscaping project focused on saving water and enhancing the appearance of its surroundings. The initiative involves converting the current landscaping to low-water xeriscaping, which not only improves vegetation conditions but also reduces maintenance needs.

xeri-city-hall.png 82.8 KB

Where to Buy Colorado-Grown Grains and Flours (and How to Use Them)
via 5280 Denver's Mile High Magazine
Posted March 19, 2024 12:18 pm
“The whole reason why I’m here and doing this is because I believe in regenerative farming and sustainability and lowering our carbon footprint,” Pembridge adds. “You’re creating a genuine community by buying from local farmers and producers.”

Regional Effort Underway To Explore an Increase to the Local Minimum Wage
via Boulder County
Posted March 17, 2024 11:30 am by Paul Bonneville
The Cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville and the Town of Erie are collectively exploring a potential increase to the local minimum wage in their respective communities, as allowed by state law. At the end of this exploration, these municipalities will consider an increased minimum wage level that is competitive, responsive to current and future needs, and meets as many shared outcomes as possible. The minimum wage amount will be determined through thorough research and community engagement over the next few months.

As a small business, this is a pretty wide ranging and complex topic for us that we'll be dealing with in the near future. For now, we just wanted to share that there are a couple of events coming up that we on attending. One of them is for the Lafayette community, the other is for Lafayette business owners. 
Locations
Boulder, CO,
United States

Industry watch: "We are closing the doors of Nectar Bakery Cafe..."
via Instagram
Posted March 17, 2024 2:30 pm by Paul Bonneville
But owning a small business, especially in food, is a devils bargain in our current culture. The businesses that thrive unironically in modern culture must source unethically, work their employees unethically hard, pay them unethically low wages (are you sensing a theme?), and put profits before people at every opportunity. Every small food business is struggling, as we try to behave more responsibly than our mega-corporation competitors, but can’t always raise prices enough to cover these morals. “This is America, and food should be cheap.”

We've been following the stories of a number of micro bakeries from across the country for several years now. This post is from Nectar Bakery Cafe in Spring Green, WI. While I can't say I completely agree with the absolute sentiment in the post, there is definitely truth in it.

We've noticed a burnout pattern in our industry, which is quite often compounded by the challenges small businesses face when trying to operate out of brick-and-mortar storefronts. We still operate as a cottage food business out of our home, but we are well aware of a number of challenges we and all small businesses face in our current retail environment. 

If there is one thing we are certain of, it is going to take local communities and business owners to come together to figure out a new approach to building and sustaining "Main Street" business corridors as we go forward.
Locations
Spring Green, WI,
United States
Organizations

Small business owners in Colorado think outside the box to reinvigorate Old Town Louisville
via CBS News Colorado
Posted March 12, 2024 10:33 pm by Paul Bonneville
The softening of business profits in Old Town Louisville may well be part of a general Amazoning of America, in which retail establishments are dealing with a loss of in-person shopping. Or it could be rising rent. Louisville, is under rent pressure from its location close to Boulder. And then there is inflation and more.

It's not just Lafayette small businesses that are facing the challenges of sustaining brick-and-mortar businesses in their downtown areas. Thinking outside the box is something we need to factor into the future of Lafayette as well.

Definitely follow the link and watch the video for the whole piece.
Locations
Louisville, CO,
United States
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