> East Simpson Coffee Company opened on December 8, 2014, at 414 E. Simpson Street before relocating in 2021 to 201 E. Simpson Street—the former location of Lafayette's historic City Hall, a building that has served the community since 1907. The coffee company has been 'caffeinating community' for over a decade with Organic Ozo Coffee, Organic Teatulia Tea, local pastries, sandwiches, and soup, plus a full espresso and organic tea menu alongside wine and beer. What distinguishes East Simpson is their deep commitment to community events: open mic nights every-other Friday (7-10 PM), bluegrass jam every Sunday (12-3 PM), and live acoustic every Tuesday (6:30-9 PM). Beyond the main cafe, The Hive offers an 800 square foot event/community space available to rent. Located just one block east of Public Rd in Historical Old Town Lafayette, the business honors over a century of community gathering at their location, continuing a legacy that began with residents gathering at the site in the early 1900s when the building housed Lafayette's civic center.

El Mercado is a Mexican grocery store (carniceria) located in Lafayette, Colorado, next to a taco truck on Main Street. The establishment has been family-operated for 18 years and is known for authentic Hispanic food offerings. The shop is famous for the best Tamales in town, made fresh and rolled in corn husks. The meat counter features marinated pork chops, seasoned beef, and house-made chorizo sausage described as deliciously spicy. Additional items include fresh salsa, telephone cards, and pinatas hanging from the ceiling. While the owner speaks fluent English, the venue is primarily Spanish-speaking with long-distance calling stations available for Mexico and South America. The article emphasizes the authentic, fresh quality of the food and encourages visitors to explore the meat counter selections, particularly recommending the in-house chorizo sausage.

> When the old VFW #1771 property in Lafayette became available in 2014, chefs Dave Query and Brett Smith saw an opportunity to create something special: The Post Chicken and Beer at 105 W Emma St. After traveling across the country sampling establishments claiming superior fried chicken, Query and Smith developed their signature recipe—the crispiest, juiciest all-natural fried chicken that happens to be naturally gluten-free. Chef Brett Smith's kitchen delivers family-style comfort food "cooked with the love of your grandma and the skill of a trained chef," pairing the famous fried chicken with Colorado-inspired cuisine, vegetarian options, seafood, and innovative sides that reimagine classics for contemporary tastes. Brewmaster Nick Tedeschi has built on founding Brewmaster Bryan Selders' three core principles—"quality, balance and drinkability"—earning multiple medals for The Post Brewing Company's beers. Located in the heart of Old Town Lafayette just west of Public Rd on Emma St, The Post offers extensive amenities including a beer garden, weekend brunch, full bar, patio dining, and private rooms, making it a versatile destination for everything from casual weeknight dinners to special celebrations.

Tara Cluck opened Tara Cluck Dance Center on March 5, 2013, at 1110 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville. Cluck began dancing at age three and pursued it as a lifelong career. The studio offers classes in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary dance, plus yoga and Zumba. Cluck emphasized that her goal involves building children's self-esteem through dance.

> Established in 2013 by Kristin and Ryan Scott at 301 East Simpson Street in Old Town Lafayette, Odd13 Brewing was created to 'save the craft beer world from the monotony of the same beer styles at every brewery,' driven by a shared passion for comics and craft beer. The brewery distinguishes itself through character-driven beers—if they can't write a story about it, it doesn't get made—resulting in creative names like 'Codename: Superfan' (a signature hazy IPA), 'NooB Pale Ale,' and 'Eric The Red.' Odd13 specializes in hoppy American styles and wild or funky Belgian beers, pioneering New England-style hazy IPAs when few competitors did, proving 'complexity and quality could coexist with hazy appearance.' Open Saturday 12-10 PM, Sunday 12-8 PM, Monday-Thursday 2-10 PM, and Friday 12-10 PM, the taproom features rotating food trucks and has become a Lafayette community cornerstone, supporting local charities and causes over more than a decade. Each beer carries a narrative and comic book-inspired identity, making Odd13 both a brewery and a storytelling experience where exceptional brewing combines with creative character development.

pARTiculars is an art gallery and teaching studio located in Lafayette, Colorado that hosts community art events designed to move the local art scene indoors during inclement weather. The Inspirations Series is a monthly program pairing beverages and refreshments with guided art instruction. The series features rotating mediums including watercolor, polymer clay, acrylics, and collage. Sessions cost $35 per person and last two hours. Examples include wine-and-watercolor events and beer-and-cupcake pairings featuring local breweries like Avery Brewing Company. Art Night In is held on the third Friday of each month, replacing the seasonal warm-weather Art Night Out program. This event draws 150-250 visitors and features artist demonstrations, hands-on workshops in various mediums, and community canvas projects where attendees can contribute to collaborative artwork. Co-founder Suzanne Connolly noted that roughly 25 to 30 percent visitors who have never been to the gallery attend each event.

> Since opening their Lafayette, Colorado clinic in 2012, The Acne Lab has helped thousands of teens and adults achieve clear skin using a proven, prescription-free acne skincare strategy. Licensed aestheticians trained to specialize in inflammatory skin conditions including acne, rosacea, and sensitive/reactive skin operate the clinic at 101 E Chester St, focusing exclusively on acne treatment and skin repair. Their approach emphasizes a foundational skincare routine (Skincare 101) before introducing active ingredients, personalized consultations with acne experts for complex cases, and identifying root causes through blood tests and food sensitivity assessments. For patients on harsh medications like Accutane, they provide specialized skincare routines and support. With a 4.9-star rating across 204 reviews, the clinic offers both in-person and online consultations by appointment only, Monday-Friday.

> Pho Café at 1085 S Public Rd has earned its reputation as one of Lafayette's top dining destinations, rated 4.4 of 5 stars and ranked #5 among the city's 64 restaurants on Tripadvisor with 64 reviews, while Yelp users have contributed 324 reviews praising what patrons call the 'best Pho in CO.' Open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm (closed Mondays), the restaurant offers 'varied noodle soups plus Vietnamese & Thai grilled entrees,' blending traditional Vietnamese pho preparations with contemporary grilled dishes that fuse Vietnamese and Thai culinary traditions. The restaurant maintains extended hours and operates both dine-in (first-come, first-served) and robust takeaway services through their official website (phocafelafayette.com), demonstrating commitment to accessibility and supporting the local community directly rather than relying solely on third-party platforms. With vegan dietary options, large portions, and consistently praised fast service, Pho Café has become a beloved destination for Southeast Asian cuisine in Lafayette, offering affordable, delicious Vietnamese and Chinese dishes in a bright, welcoming dining room that emphasizes both quality and community connection.

> Since 2012, Udon Kaisha at 191 W South Boulder Rd has been serving authentic Japanese cuisine to Lafayette, specializing in tasty Japanese noodles and high-quality fresh sushi in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. What sets Udon Kaisha apart is their commitment to authenticity combined with convenient location and affordable prices, making Japanese cuisine accessible to the Lafayette community. Operating Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, the restaurant offers a diverse menu including udon, ramen, donburi (rice bowls), sushi rolls, appetizers, and teppanyaki—providing options for both quick lunches and relaxed dinners. With dine-in, takeout, and delivery services available, Udon Kaisha has built a loyal following over more than a decade of service. Ranked #22 among Lafayette's 64 restaurants on TripAdvisor with 26 reviews, the restaurant has established itself as Lafayette's go-to destination for Japanese noodle dishes and fresh sushi. Their sister location, My Ramen & Izakaya in Boulder, extends the same commitment to quality Japanese cuisine, demonstrating the restaurant's success and expansion within the local market.

> Panang Thai Cuisine has been serving delicious Thai cuisine at 1005 S Public Rd since May 16, 2011, establishing itself as a local favorite for authentic Thai food over more than a decade. Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, the restaurant has built an impressive reputation with 364 reviews on Yelp (113 photos) and ranking #18 among Lafayette's 64 restaurants on Tripadvisor with 50 reviews. The restaurant offers the full range of Thai cuisine favorites prepared fresh daily, with online ordering available through their official website (panangone.com) as well as convenient delivery and takeout options through DoorDash, Grubhub, and their own ordering system. Customers appreciate Panang Thai Cuisine for its consistent quality, authentic flavors, and reliable service that has made it a go-to destination for Thai food in Lafayette for over thirteen years, providing both quick lunch service and dinner dining in a welcoming atmosphere.