The Collective Community Arts Center, housed in a renovated historic building at 201 N. Public Road, officially opened on February 17, 2017. The celebration ran from 4 to 8 p.m. and featured an inaugural art exhibition, ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, and light refreshments—all free and open to the public. According to Arts and Cultural Resources Director Susan Booker, the facility serves as a gathering spot where artists and arts lovers can experience a variety of programs. The center offers rotating exhibits, historic displays, networking opportunities, arts business development workshops, lectures, film series, author readings, and educational programming to engage the community in creative pursuits.

> Romero's K9 Club & Tap House at 985 S Public Rd has earned international recognition as one of the top 20 craft beer bars in the world (Craft Beer Drinker Magazine) and a spot on Greatest American Beer Bar's 2020 list as the place to visit in Colorado, while pioneering the dog-friendly bar concept with its private, off-leash dog park. Open Monday 4-9pm, Wednesday-Thursday 4-9pm, Friday 2-10pm, Saturday 12:30-10pm, and Sunday 12:30-7pm (closed Tuesdays), the venue features an enclosed pavilion for leashed dogs and a spacious, fenced-in outdoor area for off-leash play, creating a unique social space for both dogs and their owners. The 'artisan beverage tap house' offers a loaded beverage list including beer, cider, mead, wine, kombucha and non-alcoholic options, complemented by rotating food trucks that provide diverse dining options. Guests are asked to pre-register their dogs prior to arrival, with all pups required to be spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations for the safety and enjoyment of the entire K9 community; humans must be at least 16 years of age to enter. With heated indoor and outdoor dog-friendly spaces plus a day pass system for off-leash play, Romero's has become a beloved destination for dog lovers seeking world-class craft beverages in an environment where their four-legged friends can socialize and play freely.

The Arts Hub opened in Lafayette in June 2016 as a new arts center and theater facility at 420 Courtney Way. Founder Lori Jones established the nonprofit organization to provide accessible arts education and performance opportunities for the community. The 4,000-square-foot facility includes a black box theater, dance studio, and classroom spaces. The Arts Hub offers classes in musical theater, dance, acting, and voice for children and adults. The organization emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, offering scholarship programs to ensure arts education is available to all community members regardless of financial circumstances. The theater hosts productions throughout the year, featuring both student performances and professional shows. Jones, who has extensive experience in theater education and performance, designed the space to foster creativity and provide a supportive environment for artists of all ages and skill levels.

Due South at 802 S. Public Road, Suite A launched in 2016 when founder Noel DeVries transformed over thirty years of collecting antiques and selling through small flea market booths into a brick-and-mortar family-operated boutique that combines the unique talents of four family members. Recognizing that her daughter Dennae brought photography expertise and fashion sensibility, son-in-law Brett specialized in custom furniture construction, and Brett's mother Cathy contributed extensive crafting knowledge, Noel envisioned a lifestyle destination where their complementary skills would create something greater than individual contributions. The store's name 'Due South' reflects the family's southern roots while the integrated concept features free-spirited women's clothing carefully curated by Dennae, custom-made farmhouse furniture built by Brett, antique treasures collected by Noel, and the BREW coffee shop serving quality coffee and tea that transforms shopping into a café culture experience. Operating Monday through Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm, Due South positions itself as a welcoming community space where customers browse vintage and antique décor, seasonal home décor, women's clothes and accessories, children's clothes, gifts, and DIY products including Chalk Paint®, all while enjoying beverages in an environment that emphasizes quality craftsmanship over mass production. Through its family-oriented approach blending retail with social gathering, Due South has established itself as a Lafayette lifestyle destination where shopping becomes an experience rooted in family values, southern hospitality, and appreciation for handcrafted quality.

> Since opening in 2016 at 206 S Public Rd, Community has established itself as Lafayette's neighborhood supper club and gathering space, positioning itself as 'a place to land, eat, drink and escape real life for a couple of hours.' The restaurant focuses on accessible, craveable cuisine ranging from handmade pastas to slow-roasted birria, with the duck breast and risotto highly recommended by diners. Rather than chasing trends, Community's team commits to continuous improvement, 'striving and creating craveable & approachable dishes' based on customer feedback and their mission to craft dishes that 'make you feel good.' Open Wednesday through Sunday with hours extending to 9:30 PM on weekends, Community has earned impressive ratings including 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor (ranked #3 of 64 Lafayette restaurants) and 4.8 stars from 338 OpenTable diners. The restaurant also operates sister restaurant Birdhouse in Erie, reflecting their expanding commitment to community-focused dining across the Front Range.

Dio Mio at 3264 Larimer Street in Denver's RiNo neighborhood launched in 2016 when chefs Spencer White and Alex Figura transformed their fine dining backgrounds into a counter-service concept that brings handmade pasta, creative share plates, and thoughtfully crafted drinks to customers seeking quality Italian cuisine in a relaxed and approachable environment. Operating Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 4:00pm to 9:00pm and Friday through Saturday from 4:00pm to 10:00pm, the fast-casual restaurant demonstrates how professional culinary training can translate into accessible dining experiences that feature a mix of traditional Italian and contemporary food without the formality and price points of upscale establishments. Through their commitment to fresh, handmade pasta prepared on-site daily, Dio Mio exemplifies the grain-to-table movement where skilled artisans showcase the potential of quality ingredients transformed through traditional techniques, representing the type of food creator featured in Daily Grains' regional efforts to rebuild local grain economies by highlighting businesses that prioritize craft, quality ingredients, and community accessibility over mass production.

> DEKī Ltd. (formerly On Point Distillery) operates as a small family-owned and operated distillery at 802 S Public Rd, Suite E in Old Town Lafayette, specializing in the creation of small-batch premium spirits and handcrafted flavored liqueurs. The distillery boasts an extensive and creative menu of craft cocktails priced at $10, and welcomes outside food to complement their beverage offerings. Open Thursday through Sunday with extended hours on Friday and Saturday (until 11 PM), DEKī features a large dog-friendly patio where guests can 'relish your cocktail while soaking up the sun or enjoying the sunset' during warmer months. The family-run operation has become a beloved destination for craft spirits enthusiasts seeking artisanal liqueurs and expertly mixed cocktails in a welcoming, casual atmosphere that encourages community gathering and outdoor relaxation.

> Founded by Dr. Kevin McSweeney, an esteemed veterinarian who specialized in reproductive methods for dairy cattle, Five Freedoms Dairy emerged from witnessing industrial dairy practices that 'sell to the commodity market and don't care about animal welfare.' McSweeney pioneered the uncommon practice of keeping mothers and calves together until weaning at five to six months, explaining: 'When I started doing this, I had no examples to lean on.' This ethical approach significantly reduces marketable milk volume but aligns with animal welfare principles, resulting in cows that live twice as long as conventional dairy cattle by avoiding chronic leg and hoof injuries. McSweeney believes systemic change comes when 'customers demand animal welfare,' emphasizing that producers will follow consumer demand for better practices. The Loveland dairy offers milk, yogurt, and ricotta through farmers markets, local retailers, and herd shares.

> Located at 104 N Public Rd, Santiago's Mexican Restaurant has become a Lafayette staple for authentic, affordable Mexican food served in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. What sets this location apart is their dedication to fresh preparation and their renowned Colorado green chili, which has earned them a #9 ranking among Lafayette's 64 restaurants on TripAdvisor with a 4.3 rating. Operating Monday through Saturday from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, Santiago's primarily focuses on counter service with take-out orders, making it the perfect stop for early risers looking for breakfast burritos or workers grabbing lunch. The restaurant offers online ordering through their website, catering services, and maintains transparency with nutritional information for all menu items. Their commitment to serving "authentic, affordable and always fresh Mexican food" has made them a trusted destination for locals seeking traditional Colorado Mexican cuisine.

> Mario Esparza, a Texas native who moved to Denver in 2010 to work at Snooze restaurant, transformed homemade nut butter into a Colorado business while funding his University of Colorado Boulder education. 'Part of our food philosophy is to find food that's closer to you. I have something to say, and food is my medium of saying it,' Esparza explains. Co-founded with fellow Snooze employee Andy Mason, PB Love Co. prioritizes Colorado sourcing: peanuts from Colorado Nut Co. and Jerry's Nut House, honey from Björn's Colorado Honey, and coconut oil and sugar from Golden Organics. Esparza hand-produces 200-250 jars weekly from their RiNo headquarters, combining roasted nuts with Vietnamese cinnamon, coconut sugar, molasses, and sea salt for a 'smunchy' texture—between smooth and crunchy. The founders operate as the sole employees with a 'real-food-is-good-food message.'