It all started when Park Hill investor John Bachman scooped up the 20,000 square foot site with two buildings shortly after the holidays.

“There’s a real demand for neighborhood services around Colfax, and I’d been looking for a building to renovate,” he says. “I wanted to work with locally owned businesses and there was a lot of interest right away.”

That’s when Andrew Cudden (Park Hill) and Glen Eastwood (West City Park), saw the first “for lease” sign and knew it would be home to their long-planned Irish pub. Cudden owns Emerald Isle Painting, a successful 15 year-old business, and Eastwood managed the popular Fado’s Irish Pub in LoDo. The new 3,000-square-foot Abbey Tavern will open late this fall with a full bar, fresh grill menu and outdoor patio.

“This will be a welcoming, family-friendly neighborhood pub,” says Cudden. “We know the neighborhood and look forward to serving folks.”

Next, Bachman marketed a former 1,500-square-foot check cashing business and Park Hill resident Chris O’Sullivan pounced. O’Sullivan and his brother Nick own Brother’s BBQ and they plan to open an old fashioned ice cream parlor in the space in early 2014.

“I drove by that spot for 12 years thinking about an ice cream shop, and suddenly it all fell into place,” O’Sullivan says.

Nuggs Ice Cream will feature homemade ice cream, floats, sundaes, banana splits, pints for sale—all from local Colorado ingredients. O’Sullivan is making sure that everyone is welcome, with bicycle racks, dog hooks and an outdoor patio.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this development,” says Hilarie Portell, executive director of the Fax Partnership. “All of these owners have a vested interest in Colfax and creating authentic neighborhood gathering places. This was the number one thing people wanted when surveyed last year.”

The new businesses also strengthen the mix in the Elm District, a growing neighborhood hub near Elm Street and Colfax. The area now includes the Cork House, Amsterdam Coffee Lounge, Pangaea Salon, Sol Vida Dance, Marczyk’s Fine Foods, Fairfax Wines, The Elm Restaurant, Jet Asian Grill and the Africana Café.

Collectively, the new owners are investing approximately $1.2 million in property acquisition and renovations. They’ll create 28 new jobs. In the past several years, Elm District property and business owners have invested approximately $8.75 million in other improvements.

The Colfax Mainstreet Coalition is a partnership among the City and County of Denver, the City of Lakewood, and the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA). Last year, the Coalition was awarded a $900,000 grant from the EPA to examine potential environmental contamination of sites along the Colfax Avenue corridor. Property owners can apply for funding for environmental site assessments, to determine the presence, nature and extent of potential contamination at sites and to identify specific cleanup needs.

Thanks to the EPA grant, the Coalition will assist in removing uncertainty associated with brownfield sites along the Colfax corridor and help to transition the Corridor to a modern and sustainable commercial and transportation corridor.

Interested in learning more? Visit colfaxmainstreetcoalition.org or contact info@colfaxmainstreetcoalition.org.

Please click here for a job description and information on how to apply.

Even though the snow keeps falling, your home doesn’t need to feel like it’s stuck with winter blues. ‘Fax businesses want to help remix, refresh and reinvent homes and gardens this spring!

Shop the Colfax Remix just before Mother’s Day, when several locally owned ‘Fax businesses are offering special savings to help you breathe new life into your home, yard and garage.

Shoppers can find great savings while supporting the continued revitalization of Colfax when they shop the ‘Fax first!

REFRESH Home Furnishings

H & E Furniture – 15% off select items
5724 E. Colfax Avenue – at Ivy Street
Humphrey and Ernestine Cobb opened H & E Furniture on East Colfax
19 years ago, and son Humphrey II has recently brought his Manhattan-trained eye to create a flexible space full of local art, modern, retro and vintage furnishings and accessories. Patio furniture and accessories are featured this spring – be sure to check it out!

Mod Livin’ Furniture – 20% off store wide! (does not apply to sale items or website orders)
5327 E. Colfax Avenue – at Glencoe Street
Having settled in the historic Park Hill neighborhood in Denver in 2001, Mod Livin’ has grown to house three separate and distinct showrooms under one roof. Mod Livin’s selection of vintage items covers a broad selection of price points to accommodate every budget, from the college student to the most selective designer.

RENEW Home and Garden

Ace on the FAX – $10 off lawn mower or small engine repair ($50 minimum)
7100 E. Colfax Avenue – at Poplar Street
Neighborhood residents Mary and Mike Cottrell opened Ace on the FAX over a year ago, to serve the needs of East Denver’s do-it-yourselfers. The Ace garden center features a wide variety of products and plants at great prices to get you get your yard ready for spring. Sign up for the new Ace Rewards program and save even more!

Benjamin Moore Ponderosa Paint Center – $6 off every gallon of Benjamin Moore paint
May 4 only; not open Sundays
5335 E. Colfax Avenue – at Grape Street
Ponderosa Paint Center is an independent Benjamin Moore paint retailer, where you can find great tips and ideas for all your home projects. Their trained specialists have the knowledgeable experience and helpful advice will ensure the success of every project you have.

Power at Hand – $59 + parts for lawn mower service
May 4 only; not open Sundays
5022 E. Colfax Avenue – at Fairfax Street
Power at Hand sells and services outdoor power equipment. Check out their “green” machines – electric and battery-operated mowers that create zero emissions and 75% less noise than gas-powered mowers.

REINVENT Closets and Pantries

Athena’s Closet – 10% off entire purchase
May 4 only; not open Sundays
5305 E. Colfax Avenue – at Glencoe Street
A great way to lessen your footprint is by consigning, shopping and donating at resale, thrift or consignment shops. Athena’s Closet carries a large selection of new and gently used plus size women’s clothing, as well as a great variety of jewelry, purses, shoes, hats, and new or slightly used perfumes… everything you need to get your closet ready for spring!

Fairfax Wine & Spirits at Marczyk Fine Foods – reduced pricing on spring wines
5100 E. Colfax Avenue – at Fairfax Street
Need some inspiration for your spring home and garden projects? Why not pick up some fun spring wines from Fairfax Wine and Spirits to lubricate your creativity! Mix and match a case of rosés and other spring wines t receive special value pricing during the Colfax Remix promotion. These wines are also the perfect choice for your first patio party of the season – or Mother’s Day brunch!

RESTORE Your Ride

Emick’s Auto Service – 10% off parts
Available April 29 – May 10; not open weekends.
1475 Jasmine Street
Emick’s Auto Service is a family-owned and operated auto repair shop that has been proudly serving the Denver area since 1965. Emick’s offers routine maintenance and can fix any mechanical problem that prevents your vehicle from functioning at its best.

Just fill out the order form and get it back to Mayfair Liquors by March 29 to give us a helping hand. You can email it to info@mayfairliquors.com, call 303-322-0810 to place your order, or drop the form off at Mayfair Liquors – 1385 Krameria Street.

Fax Partnership Tasting Order Form

For every order placed by March 29, paid for and picked up by April 19, Mayfair Liquors will donate 20% of sales to the Fax Partnership!

The “Travel Route 40″ celebration, at Weisco’s new location at 7000 E. Colfax Avenue, includes a Colfax photo show and wine tasting from Mayfair Liquors and their fantastic vendors.

Tickets are on sale now for just $25 per person, but only a limited quantity are available so be sure to buy now! Click here to purchase your tickets today.

The wines tasted during the evening will be available to pre-order, and can be picked up and paid for once assembled, at Mayfair Liquors. The best part? 20% of wine sales from the “Travel Route 40″ event will be donated to Colfax revitalization programs!

The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) awarded both organizations approximately $30,000 each in matching grants, to help businesses improve street appeal, pedestrian experience and safety. In addition, up to $100,000 in loan funds will be offered by the Mile High Community Loan Fund for property owners undertaking larger projects.

“Helping our small, locally-owned businesses succeed is a key part of the city’s economic development strategy,” said OED Executive Director Paul Washington. “We’re proud to support façade improvements that further enhance the vitality and character of our Colfax corridor.”

The grant funds are made possible through the city’s Community Development Block Grant federal funding.

“This investment reflects the City of Denver’s commitment to Colfax as its Main Street and laboratory for what works in economic development,” says Dan Shah, director of the West Colfax BID.

Last year’s pilot façade program with The Fax Partnership has shown that “little improvements add up,” says Hilarie Portell, the executive director. “Small business owners are slowly recovering from the recession, and many want to fix up their buildings. These grants help offset their costs and in some cases have incentivized larger projects.”

Examples of 2012 façade grants include:
• Multi-tenant building at Colfax and Cherry Street – new exterior lights
• Phoenician Kabob restaurant at Colfax and Ivy Street – new signage
• Axum Restaurant on Colfax and Hudson – new exterior paint
• Weisco Motorcars at Colfax and Olive Street – full renovation of long-vacant building
• State-Wide Lock & Safe at Colfax and Roslyn – new exterior siding
• Multi-tenant building at Colfax and Quebec Street – new exterior paint

Grant funding from the OED to The Fax Partnership in 2012 leveraged approximately $80,000 in private investment by the businesses. With this year’s grant support, the two organizations anticipate leveraging $100,000 each in investment by businesses.

“We look forward to working with Colfax property and business owners and the Colfax BIDs in leveraging these grant funds to make property improvements that attract customers and strengthen their businesses, “ said Jeff Seifried, executive director of the Mile High Community Loan Fund. “We’re a customer-focused lender and our staff is eager to discuss façade projects and our loan terms with Colfax businesspeople.”

The façade improvement grants are available to eligible business owners and property owners located on Colfax Avenue, between Colorado Boulevard and Yosemite Street, or between Federal and Sheridan Boulevards. For more information, including application process and materials, visit The Fax Partnership or the West Colfax BID.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m., Axum will offer a FREE sampling of their authentic Ethiopian food for ‘Fax neighbors and business owners. Axum is located at 5501 E. Colfax Avenue, at Colfax & Hudson Street. At 6 p.m., staff from Johnson & Wales University will present information on the programs available just blocks from the ‘Fax corridor at JWU – including student internship opportunities and free resources for businesses at the Small Business Development Center.

Axum was purchased by Amleset Desta, a Lowry resident and financial planner, last summer. “I saw potential in this building and on Colfax, and wanted to be part of it,” she says. With help from a Fax Partnership Façade Improvement grant, the building got a new coat of paint and the parking lot was repaved in the fall. The menu has also been tweaked to appeal to vegetarians, people on gluten-free diets and those who enjoy authentic Ethiopian fare. She uses fresh, local food with no MSG no artificial flavorings. “In Ethiopia, we don’t east canned food or flavorings,” she says. She also imports key seasonings from Ethiopia. Chile, berbere, cardamom and mitmita are prepared the traditional way by her aunt. “I want it done right, and I want to be able to tell someone exactly what is in their dish,” Desta says.

We hope you’ll join us!

The Fax Partnership connects people, place and new investment to East Colfax Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Yosemite Street. We work closely with the City of Denver on business attraction and retention, marketing, redevelopment and crime prevention.

It’s this partnership approach with local business, the city and consumers that is critical to the revitalization effort. Marketing, events, physical improvements and more would not happen without both public and private investment. Join us today and boost your business while keeping the ‘Fax moving in the right direction!

Here’s how it works:

Business Partners
Businesses and property owners, district developers and brokerage firms.

Annual Fee:
$100/year (1-3 employees, including owner)
$200/year (over 3 employees, including owner)

Benefits Include:

Communications and Marketing:
• Listing on the Fax Partnership website’s “Business Directory.” This is a one-stop shop for consumers, businesses and investors interested in the ‘Fax.
• E-newsletter promotion of business news, events and promotions. Reaches 4,000+ area consumers and counting.
• Promotional postings on business news, events and promotions on our Facebook page.
• Participation in ‘Fax district events and public relations initiatives.
• Property marketing: listing on the ‘Fax website’s “Real Estate” page, prospect referrals, public relations assistance. Inclusion in any planned broker tours or events.

Funding:
• Eligibility to apply for matching grants for small-scale exterior building improvements.
• Information on gap financing and other financial tools for new and expanding business.

Networking:
• Quarterly networking events help you forge new relationships and share information with other ‘Fax business owners and neighbors.

Market Research and Economic Data:
• Related to the ‘Fax district and local consumer market
• Access to results of The Fax Partnership’s 2013 Market Niche Study

Sponsorship Opportunities:
• Enhance your brand recognition in the community
• Sponsorship levels for various events throughout the year available at the $200 or $500 level

CLICK HERE to sign up today!

The “Sid King’s Crazy Horse Bar” sign came down when the establishment closed 30 years ago. Luckily it was not destroyed. However, it has spent decades in the hands of private collectors. The current owner of the sign no longer has room to display it so it is sitting in storage collecting dust. There is a unique opportunity to secure the sign so it can be restored and displayed for public viewing. The Collection Art Gallery on Colfax Avenue has the space to display a sign of this size and would be an ideal location as the sign would finally be “coming home” to Colfax.

This project will only be funded if interested residents like you contribute at least $3,800 by February 4. Click here to learn more and donate now!