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.
Due South: Noel DeVries and Family Transform 30 Years of Antiquing Into Lifestyle Boutique with BREW Coffee Shop Since 2016
via www.duesouthstore.com
Posted January 1, 2016 2:00 am
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.
Organizations

Dio Mio: Spencer White and Alex Figura Transform Fine Dining Expertise Into Accessible Fresh Pasta Counter-Service in Denver's RiNo Since 2016
via www.diomiopasta.com
Posted January 1, 2016 2:00 am
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.
Organizations

The Family Jones Distillery: 100% Local Colorado Grains from Regenerative Family Farms
via thefamilyjones.co
Posted January 1, 2016 2:00 am
> The Family Jones Distillery in Denver crafts spirits using 100% local, family-farm grains grown with regenerative farming techniques, guided by the principle that 'Every act of eating is ultimately an agricultural act.' They're committed to reinvigorating relationships between consumers and the farming process through partnerships with Colorado farming families: Whiskey Sisters (grain brokerage), Root Shoot Malting/Olander Farms (5th-generation Loveland farmers), GBT Farms (Johnstown corn and rye), and Jones Farms Organics (San Luis Valley organic regenerative rye). Their Original Jones line includes Annika Jones Vodka, Juniper Jones Gin, Ella Jones Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Atticus Jones Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey. The distillery has been recognized as the Best Colorado Distillery with over 25 international awards.
Organizations

Black Gold Family Farm: Pasture-Raised Berkshire Pigs on 160 Colorado Acres
via blackgoldfamilyfarm.com
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
> Black Gold Family Farm in Akron, Colorado operates a farrow-to-finish Berkshire pig farm across 160 acres where over 70 sows and their offspring 'dig and roam indoors or outdoors as they please at all times.' With over 40 years of industry experience, the family-owned operation prioritizes 'raising happy, healthy, stress-free animals in their natural environment' through completely pasture-based farming. All pigs are 100% drug-free (no hormones, steroids, antibiotics, or vaccines), certified Level 3 with Global Animal Partnership, and fed a diet of grasses, alfalfa, and grains cultivated on-farm—completely free of corn and soy.

Five Freedoms Dairy: Veterinarian's Revolutionary Approach Lets Mothers and Calves Stay Together
via Boulder County Farmers Markets website
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
> 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.

The PB Love Company: Mario Esparza's Texas-to-Denver Stone-Ground Nut Butter Journey
via 5280 Denver's Mile High Magazine
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
> 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.'

Anytime Fitness Lafayette: 24/7 Gym Access with Global Membership Benefits
via www.anytimefitness.com
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
> Operating 24/7 with secure entry for members at 325 Waneka Pkwy in Lafayette, Colorado, Anytime Fitness provides Personal Training, Small Group Training, and Nutritional Coaching and Guidance. Membership includes access to up to 2,500 clubs globally, making it ideal for travelers and those seeking flexible workout options. The facility offers comprehensive amenities including cardio equipment, strength training, weights, classes (yoga, zumba, kickboxing), TVs per machine, stretch areas, credit card acceptance, private lot parking, gender-neutral restrooms, and is designated as good for kids.
Organizations

DEKī Ltd: Small-Batch Craft Spirits & Creative Cocktails in Old Town Lafayette
via www.dekispirits.com
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
> 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.
Organizations

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant: Lafayette's Go-To for Authentic Green Chili Since Early Morning
via eatatsantiagos.com
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
> 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.

The Food Corridor: SaaS Platform Connecting Food Businesses With Commercial Kitchen Assets Nationwide
via www.crunchbase.com
Posted January 1, 2015 2:00 am
The Food Corridor operates as a software-as-a-service platform that revolutionizes how food businesses access commercial food infrastructure by creating a marketplace where food entrepreneurs can find, book, and pay for commercial kitchens, equipment, commissaries, co-packers, and food storage spaces across the United States. The platform addresses a critical gap in the food economy where small-scale producers, specialty food creators, and emerging food businesses struggle to access affordable commercial kitchen space needed to legally produce, scale, and distribute their products while navigating complex health department regulations and facility requirements. By aggregating available commercial food assets and creating standardized booking and payment systems, The Food Corridor enables artisan bakers, specialty food producers, caterers, and food truck operators to access professional equipment and licensed facilities on-demand rather than requiring massive capital investments in dedicated infrastructure. The platform's role in Daily Grains' grain chain network demonstrates how technology infrastructure supports regional food economies by lowering barriers for small producers who want to transform local grains and ingredients into value-added products but lack access to commercial baking ovens, pasta-making equipment, or certified production facilities. Through its marketplace model connecting underutilized commercial kitchen capacity with food businesses needing flexible access to production infrastructure, The Food Corridor exemplifies how digital platforms can strengthen local food systems by making professional food production resources accessible to the artisan producers and specialty food creators who form the foundation of rebuilt regional grain economies.
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.