Lakewood’s Perspective on Colorado’s Most Famous Avenue | Issue 6
6 DARE TO DREAM: 16 PASTERNACK’S: 28 THINK LOCAL: West Colfax A Building Where to Eat Vision 2040 Transformed & DrinK
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3 West Colfax Lately Issue 6
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WWW.WESTMETROCHAMBER.ORG 1667 Cole Blvd., Building 19, Suite 400, Lakewood, CO 80401 303-233-5555 4 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 Marcy Leisten Bill Marino Liz Black
Miranda Samon Katy Zeigler
MAYOR’S NOTE Our team photo (above) speaks volumes. It’s from a recent, now ubiquitous, Zoom meeting. Suffice it to say West Colfax has celebrated another that when starting the process for creating this 2020 year of progress and excitement. edition (in January) we never would have imagined the We are the new hot place to be. world as it is now. After delays, remote work, illness, and Galleries continue to move in, financial hurdles—we found a way, through community businesses continue to open, collaboration and teamwork, to celebrate once again and we have seen development Lakewood’s historic West Colfax corridor in these pages. partners jump headfirst into our West Colfax vision to invest In this issue, we look back at the West Colfax Vision 2040 millions in new projects. Recent Action Plan and its path forward—with a sidebar that months have been difficult, but in features another “what if” we hope becomes a reality. typical West Colfax fashion, we will We explore the history and evolution of Pasternack’s Art adapt and evolve. Hub and how this mid-century building’s progression is representative of our community. Then, we shift to New ideas and creative thinking everyone’s favorite topic—food ... exploring the curious are what make this corridor OUR READER’S array of cuisine that West Colfax has to offer. We close
tick. This community is on the with some fun “field research” from the busiest ARC forefront of unique events, Thrift store in the state and a stunning reader-submitted promoting revolutionary ways visual for our Final Stop. to create a sense of place while steadfastly protecting what Through it all, I often marvel at our little team, its makes the corridor special. commitment to service and ability to adapt. They are special—thank you for making a difference. And the West Colfax is an award-winning same goes to our boards and committees—volunteers corridor, one that is an ever- all who are the invaluable force-multiplier that allow evolving hub of activities. We us to set our sights high. Finally, to our colleagues at have been humbled to see how the City of Lakewood. All departments have had a hand people have come together to re-energizing West Colfax—with a big thumbs up to our support our local businesses in LETTER TO partners in Economic Development; we couldn’t do it good times and during the recent without you. Thank you to all! tough times. I know we are going to continue to work together, to Bill Marino, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief help each other, to help West Chief Executive – Lakewood-W. Colfax BID Colfax thrive and to continue its Board Chair – 40 West Arts District resurgence with the full force of creativity and collaboration that ignited its 21-century renaissance. Liz Black, Managing Editor Executive Director – 40 West Arts District
Mayor Adam Paul City of Lakewood
2 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 3 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 SUMMER WEST COLFAX FUN! 6 Dare to Dream: West Colfax Charts a Course PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF for 2040 William P. Marino By William P. Marino MANAGING EDITOR Liz Black
ART DIRECTOR
Miranda Samon Zeigler Photo: Kathryn
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS 14 A “What If” in the Works: Jennifer Coulter A Shoppable Motel Jane Souders By Lauren Richardson Kevin Yoshida Kathryn Zeigler
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stiz Bilane Liz Black William P. Marino 16 A Hub of Activity: The Tyson Mckinney Places that Transform Us Lauren Richardson Zeigler Photo: Kathryn Kathryn Zeigler By Kathryn Zeigler
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Monique Archuleta Marcy Leisten William Marino Tyson McKinney Jamie Perkins 28 Lakewood West Colfax Dave Rein Dishes It Out: Where to Miranda Samon Will Strathmann Eat, Drink, and be Merry Kathryn Zeigler By Liz Black Photo: WestFax Brewing Co. WestFax Photo: PRINTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY EcoGraphics
38 The Thrill of Thrifting: INTERACTIVE ART. In the heart of Cover Photo by Kathryn Zeigler Five Shoppers and Letters to the Editor or other editorial Their Unique Finds 40 West Arts District Inquires: [email protected] By Stiz Bilane CREATIVE VENDORS. West Colfax Lately Magazine Is a collaborative publication involving
The Lakewood-West Colfax BID, 40 Zeigler Photo: Kathryn FOOD TRUCKS. West Arts and its partners, Lakewood Economic Development and the West Colfax Community Association. 42 Final Stop: A Local LIVE MUSIC. Mailing Address: 1560 Teller Street Photographer Shares Lakewood, CO 80214 an Image and the Story August 2020, Issue 6. Copyright © 2020 Behind It CRAFT BEER. All Rights Reserved by the Lakewood-W. By Tyson McKinney Colfax BID and 40 West Arts Inc. a Check the website 501(c)3 corp. West Colfax Lately is & me & published annually. Permissions to reprint or excerpt granted by written request only. Copies available for $5.00 f festival updates each plus shipping. Send queries to [email protected].
For more West Colfax Lately, visit us at: WestColfaxLately.org.
COLFAXARTFEST.ORG Photo: Tyson McKinney West Colfax Lately Issue 6 5 Dare to Dream: West Colfax Charts a Course for 2040
By William P. Marino
What do you want your world to look like in 2040? Think about it. How would you forge a path for the next generation? What about the unknowns?
Talking about unknowns! Five years ago “novel coronavirus” or “COVID-19” were not household words. Clearly, this global pandemic has and will impact our path forward. More on that later.
In 2014, when a collection of engaged citizens convened to chart a course for the next 25 years for Lakewood’s storied West Colfax corridor, they faced many unknowns. The collaboration among 60+ local civic, business, and neighborhood leaders and the City of Lakewood was both practical and bold: the group first identified known critical issues impacting the corridor, and then next ... dared to dream—and dream big! And in little more than a year the West Colfax “Lakewood Legacy Trees,” an iconic public art installation by Vision 2040 Action Plan was born. Lonnie Hanzon, adorns RTD’s W Line stop at the Lamar Street Station along the 40 West ArtLine. Photo: William Marino
6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 7 The timing was right. The community was land use, design, and history of the West beginning to coalesce around a series of Colfax corridor. Under Baroway’s leadership, meaningful milestones: the formation of new a cohesive core group was assembled and business improvement district (2011), the collaborated with scores of locals who took insights and adoption of the catalytic 40 West part in the many work sessions that resulted Arts Urban Design and Mobility Concepts in the plan’s formation. (2012), the long-awaited opening of RTD’s W Line Light Rail (2013), the two blockbuster “The plan had two central objectives,” announcements that FirstBank and Terumo explained Yoshida, an architect, urban BCT both would build new headquarters— designer, and founder of IDEATE Design. collectively amounting to more than $200+ “It was not only intended to function as a million in new construction in the corridor, framework to codify and advance the unifying and the elation of 40 West Arts earning the community vision, but also to demonstrate to status as a state-certified creative district those looking to invest on West Colfax that we (2014)—at the time only the 10th such were well organized and could rally around designation in Colorado. projects aligned with our vision.”
Lakewood’s mayor at the time, Bob Murphy saw this as a convergence of opportunities for “[The plan] was to the city’s oldest commercial corridor: “With demonstrate to those looking the impact of light rail, the fresh creative energy from 40 West Arts and Rocky Mountain to invest on West Colfax that College of Art + Design and the quirky history that makes Colfax cool, West Colfax is poised we were well organized and to be the next big thing.” could rally around projects The group tapped Lakewood City Council aligned with our vision.” member and a longtime West Colfax corridor Inspired by the potential of 40 West Arts District, new owners of this apartment community on the ArtLine resident Cindy Baroway as its chairperson. invested in a team of artists led by Katy Casper to transform “West Colfax is more than a street,” said The Vision Group had an aggressive schedule. the buildings into works of art. Photo: Kathryn Zeigler Baroway. “People live here, they work here, They met as a core group twice a month they make memories here, and they love it and also assembled into smaller cadres here. West Colfax is a community!” with additional community members and subject area experts, at times meeting weekly. But the West Colfax community, with its Their early objective was clear: to gather In fact, in addition to the pragmatic approach “We were immediately drawn to this “quirky” 150-year history embodied within input, identify key focus areas, and consider of identifying goals and action items related opportunity,” said Tom Yockey, a founder and the whole Colfax lore, needed a shared community priorities. They forged ahead. They to the focus areas, the 2040 Plan integrated director of Broad Street Realty that owns vision to rally behind—and a plan to capture kept dreaming. elements of storytelling, including numerous and manages 18 shopping centers in five and share it. Baroway visuals, revealing sidebars, and illuminating states. “We recognized its potential. It was and her supporting “What if” lists that enumerated dreams for well located just minutes from downtown, cast of stakeholders— the future. with easy access to I-70 and the mountains, neighborhood, business, and there was clear evidence of public and civic leaders—set out Not so surprisingly, the group attracted investment with the opening of light rail— on a journey to create it. experienced investors whose vision aligned with five stations in this corridor. And the Baroway was supported by with similar dreams. Case in point: Enter community had established neighborhood Roger Wadnal from City of Bethesda-based Broad Street Realty, organizations and an active business Lakewood’s Comprehensive a national commercial real estate firm improvement district that worked closely Planning and Research looking to establish and grow a presence with the city,” Yockey added, ”and they Division, and two co- in the Colorado market. The principals at all were actively rallying support for the chairs Kevin Yoshida and the firm recognized “the convergence of emerging arts district.” me, who complemented opportunities” brought together by a forward- Baroway’s leadership with thinking city and a well-organized local Yockey joined the Vision Group and extensive experience in The Vision Group identified six key sections for the plan: Cultural Identity community—a community with vision. contributed to the completion of the Vision (history), Infrastructure, Connectivity (transportation), Placemaking, Vibrancy (economic development) and Celebrate Colfax (marketing).
8 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 9 2040 Plan. His firm invested more than $18 million in purchasing and improving the old 1950-vintage JCRS Shopping Center, renamed to Lamar Station Plaza, transforming it into an important commercial and entertainment hub on West Colfax. “The community’s vision certainly made a difference,” added Yockey, who now calls Colorado home.
“The community’s vision certainly made a difference.”
Yockey was not the only visionary who resonated with the overarching goals the group formulated.
The National Endowment for the Arts recognized the merits of one of the “what ifs” in the plan—”the community’s idea for an arts loop (now called the ArtLine), a distinctive way to provide a walking and bicycling arts experience around 40 West Arts District, ABOVE: West Line Village funded a stunning wall mural received national support with a $100,000 by Michelle Wolins entitled “Our Roots Give Us Wings” Our Town grant, the largest amount awarded that celebrates the history of the community. Photo: Kathryn Zeigler Street, one new construction and the another the potential here, we’ve made substantial under the program,” reported a May 2016 city a renovation project. The new development, investments in the corridor during the past press release that announced the prestigious BELOW: The developer of West Line Flats selected Brickhouse at Lamar Station, is a four-story, three years.” grant award. Italian artist Giuseppe Percivati’s mural concept called 290-unit luxury multifamily property at the “The Lakewood Lion” for its new TOD community along the W Line. Photo: William Marino corner of W. 13th Avenue and the W Line’s In little more than a year, the Vision Group Jeff and Jamie Temple, bothers who run station at Lamar Street. The landed on a plan that worked. It wasn’t Momentum Development, built West Line renovation of 1960-vintage perfect. There were many unanswered Flats, a five-story, 155-unit luxury rental Lamar Station Apartments (hint questions. But the document represented property located 400 feet from the Lamar to readers—it’s getting a new the collective efforts of a broad spectrum Station on the W Line light rail—the first full name soon!) includes upgrades of stakeholders. The group dedicated time, market rate development of this scale in the to all 138 units and a major, six- expertise, and passion for West Colfax to corridor in more than 20 years. figure investment in public art. support the evolution of this historic corridor The property, located on the 40 in such a way that aligns with the vision and Scott Watkins of T.O.D Properties and West ArtLine—which currently values of the community. The overarching Doug Elenowitz of Trailbreak Partners includes 70+ art installations goal was to shape West Colfax into a place spearheaded the multi-phased development along its four-mile walking and where locals and visitors alike come to of 190 townhomes and modern rental biking route, is adding to that create fresh opportunities, connect with apartments also on the W Line, a short total by funding a series of large diverse experiences, and celebrate culture walk to Sheridan station—that’s been well murals by artist Katy Casper both old and new. received by the market as it is moving and her team.“ This significant forward with its fifth phase. investment in murals benefits our The plan is working. Its structure achieves residents as well as those who both objectives: practical enough to categorize Reid Davis, CEO of Riverpoint Partners, is enjoy 40 West’s ArtLine,” said the many key needs in the corridor and the visionary behind two projects on Lamar Davis. “We’ve been watching the visionary enough to show potential investors West Colfax area evolve. Because that this is a community that can work of the vision, the progress, and together, dream big, and get things done.
10 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 11 “[The plan] worked because While the aforementioned examples that will improve pedestrian safety and add Together, we identify opportunities; together, highlight recent successes, there is still so to the aesthetics of our placemaking efforts. we collaborate to find resources; together, it’s aspirational. It paints much to do. The corridor still needs more sidewalks, more we roll up our sleeves and work—and then, lighting, and more new businesses to fill together, we celebrate the successes, small a picture of a community When we embarked on this project more empty spaces and add to the vibrancy here, and large, along the way. striving to shape its future.” than five years ago—a global pandemic was while we advocate for further investment the stuff of a Stephen King novel. (See The in the ArtLine to improve this vital amenity And in this spirit—we promise to keep asking Stand—by King, published by Doubleday, that serves as an economic development “what if” and to always, always dream big. “[The plan] worked because it’s aspirational. 1978.) While our world struggles with attribute and a recreational and cultural It’s no failure to fall short of a big dream—but It paints a picture of a community striving to profound upheavals in public health, in the feature for residents and visitors. Over the certainly we will not achieve great things if we shape its future,” said Mayor Adam Paul, a economy, and in social justice and equity for next year, some of the original group will join don’t first think it’s possible. all people, we gather to assess the progress with newcomers to review the West Colfax strong advocate for West Colfax when he was in the five years since the West Colfax Vision Vision 2040 Action Plan to report on its status, Our mantra is our solution: collaborate and a city council member, and he continues his 2040 Action Plan was adopted. Who would make course corrections, and continue the keep dreaming! support as mayor. have fathomed the strange world in which we momentum. now live—and likely, these effects will have William Marino is chief executive of the Lakewood-W. impact long after this article goes to press. How do we make sure the next five years are Colfax BID and the board chair of 40 West Arts District. better ... how do we continue the forward But we cannot be stymied. We know there motion ... how do we stay focused on is more work to do. While we have much delivering results to celebrate from the last five years, all six for our community? categories of the current plan have unmet Same fundamental goals and unfulfilled dreams—from critical principles: we’ll do it flood plain improvements that will spur with heart, and we’ll re-development to streetscape upgrades do it together. All are welcome in the spirit The new Vision 2040 Action Plan was built on a solid foundation— of community and the first-ever West Colfax Action Plan adopted in 2006. It was this collaboration. plan that recommended the formation of a business improvement district and first envisioned an arts district along West Colfax.
Former city council member and WCCA board member Cindy Baroway meets A bike tour of the 40 West ArtLine starts at Mountair Park Artist Katy Casper created a playful ArtLine sidewalk mural “Harvest Labyrinth” with BID Board President Kevin Yoshida to plan the community review of the signature art installation “Dermal Plate Gateway” by PUNCH. along the W Line’s bike path. Photo: Will Strathmann West Colfax Vision 2040 Action Plan. Photo: William Marino Photo: Jamie Perkins
12 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 13 several commercial spaces that will become A “What If” amenities for travelers and locals as well as a retail store, design offices, a non-profit art gallery, a functional greenhouse and event venue, and rent-controlled units intended to in the Works: support an artist-in-residence program.
A Shoppable Motel + How will it all fit? “Creatively and thoughtfully;” Richardson says. “In this new world forming amidst a global pandemic, Neighborhood Destination the way people travel and spend their money is changing in front of our eyes. Without realizing it, the concept for The Sursy is an answer to how – I think – the future of hospitality and retail will need What if 40 West Arts converted a historic design and listing optimization services to evolve to meet the needs of the modern motel into an arts-centric boutique motor to short term rental homeowners, curates traveler and consumer. I predict the inn? This ‘What if’ written into the West an online home goods shop, operates a staycation trend is here to stay, that working Colfax Vision 2040 Action Plan now has the growing portfolio of shoppable Airbnbs, and vacations will be sought after and invested potential of becoming a reality. is developing a unique hospitality concept in, and that people will be spending money that’s coming soon to West Colfax. to shop small and curate their surroundings Nearly five years ago, Denver’s Lauren more now than ever.” Richardson was living and working for an The vision for The Sursy’s first commercial agency in San Francisco. She was traveling project is to fuse retail, hospitality, and frequently to design and produce events design to create a neighborhood destination About the Founder and tradeshows across the country and, that brings locals and travelers together and Lauren Richardson is a multidisciplinary preferring to stay in Airbnbs over hotels, she supports local makers. The core mission is to creative and entrepreneur living in Denver. got an idea… build a concept that encourages community Prior to founding The Sursy, she spent and also supports the community. “By not years working for Fortune500 brands at an
On one particular trip to Chicago, Lauren only promoting artists and creatives through experiential agency. She is a self-proclaimed really wanted the coffee table book in the our shoppable spaces and curated e-shop maximalist, who is obsessed with innovation in Date: 13 May 2020 space she was staying. It wasn’t necessarily but in also hiring them as a part of our By architect Nicole Delmage real estate and interiors and passionate about Conceptof ShelterBelt Site Plan Design one-of-a-kind, but she loved that it reminded design and development projects, we keep a creating meaningful, localized experiences that 6145 BROADWAY | DENVER, CO 80216 SK-01 www.shelterbeltdesign.com Project Name: Job Site: her of the fond memories she had visiting localized focus on business operations and The Sursy Denver 6060 W Colfax Ave support the community. Lakewood, CO 80214 Scale: 1"=40'-0" the city. She wound up leaving with the book, experience in a way that’s never been done and to this day it sits on her desk as the first before,” Richardson says. little ‘sursy’ that started it all. The White Swan Motel at 6060 West Colfax A ‘sursy’ is a southern term for a souvenir is currently operational, but in need of a - a gift or trinket to remember your trip reimagining to restore it to its glory days by. Richardson named her company ‘The and make it a ‘must visit’ for travelers and Sursy’ as a subtle nod to her North Carolina Coloradans alike. The existing mid-century roots and to literally describe the innovative structure will be redevelopped to make way ‘shoppable stay’ experience she’s building for what will become a mixed-use property her multi-faceted business around. with shoppable rooms that will host short- term and extended stay guests and be filled Today, The Sursy is an experiential design with locally made furnishings, art, and décor and development group that offers interior that are all for sale. There are also plans for
The White Swan Court, a classic mid-century Richardson found a vintage postcard of the White motor inn, opened in 1945. Swan, located at 6060 West Colfax Avenue.
14 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 15 AA HubHub ofof Activity: Activity: The Places that Transform Us
By Kathryn Zeigler
even miles of Colfax Avenue runs through Colorado’s fifth largest city, Lakewood. The Sevolution of those seven miles brings with it a long and storied history of pastoral oasis turned hoppin’ supper clubs and motor inns; of a burgeoning working class moving into a suburban life and bringing with it arts and culture. The spaces and places that make up its history are as cemented into the tale and beauty of West Colfax Avenue as the road is to the ground itself.
One such storied space sits just off the corner of West Colfax and Pierce, on the north side of the street. Where once you may have blinked-and-missed it during the avenue’s slow, decades-long economic decline of the last century, the same cannot be said of the building now. Pasternack’s Art Hub, a building that has stayed standing throughout the corridor’s peaks and valleys, shares a story of transformation and change that marks itself as a touchstone for the renaissance along this stretch of road heading west. A crowd gathers to enjoy open mic poetry in Pasternack’s Art Hub during the Colfax ArtFest VIP Party in 2019. Photo: Kathryn Zeigler
16 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 17 Newspaper advertisement celebrating Synonymous with pawnshops and book Following the closing of Metz Lumber in the the opening of Metz Lumber: These ending what the Colorado native family early 1970s, the lot saw some changes— announcements often came with opening specials and thanked the companies that still affectionately calls the “Gateway to including housing the Drumstick Restaurant. helped the store open. Photo Courtesy: East the Rockies,” the Pasternacks established (Yes, you know the one, with the shrimp Jefferson County Newspaper & Kris Autobee three separate pawnshops that sat along boats, hamburger cars, and chicken trains.) It both the Aurora and Lakewood side later moved to a standalone building at JCRS of Colorado’s Main Street. While the Shopping Center (what is now Lamar Station Pasternacks still own and operate both Plaza) before closing permanently later that locations, there’s been a big change. decade. The lumberyard transformed to Namely: the West Colfax location is no support new industries and provide spaces longer a pawnshop. for travelers along the road—including a Kawasaki Motorcycle dealership, a plumbing If you glance toward the sky next time company, and a metaphysical bookstore. you’re cruising along, you’ll notice that “pawn shop” has been scraped from the orange sign and instead, “Art Hub” has been painted along the building. Pasternack’s Art Hub now stands as a haven and home to no less than five art galleries – with future plans to bring even more art space to the heart of 40 West Arts – Lakewood’s only state-certified creative district. The future potential growth of the space and the district is nearly unmatched.
But, before we get there, let’s take a moment to tell the tale of the long- This Youngstown Kitchen Cabinet standing building and its special place ad appeared in many newspapers along our avenue. and magazines in the 1950s. Photo Courtesy: East Jefferson County Newspaper & Kris Autobee Before pawnshops dotted the landscape of West Colfax, lumber yards had their Community members celebrate the love of music at Pasternack’s Photo of the Metz Lumber store front from W. Colfax Ave. Photo Courtesy: East Jefferson Pawn Shop prior to the formation of 40 West Arts District. County Newspaper & Kris Autobee heyday. Distinct in their architecture and Photo Courtesy: Scott Pasternack a vital part of the mid-century economic upswing of the street, the original footprint of Metz Lumber can still be seen on maps today.
These lumber yards were essential to the suburban growth coming to Lakewood during and after World War II. Metz Lumber, the lumber yard that occupied the Pasternack space on West Colfax, opened May 10, 1946, and sold many of the necessities for a burgeoning suburbia— including the world-famous Youngstown Kitchen Cabinets. The establishment of these lumber yards (of which there were once five along West Colfax) allowed new families in the area to settle down as the war came to an end. The neighborhoods along West Colfax began to attract families and grow. Mid-century entrepreneurs saw huge opportunities for development. BEFORE: Pasternack’s Pawn Shop on W. Colfax Ave. prior to its AFTER: Pasternack’s Art Hub on W. Colfax as it appears in February 2020. Photo: Kathryn Zeigler revival as an Art Hub. Photo Courtesy: Scott Pasternack
18 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 West Colfax Lately Issue 6 19 The Lakewood Dance Academy performs a pop-up routine during Colfax ArtFest 2019. Photo: Kathryn Zeigler MAPMAP KEYKEY 4040 West West Arts Arts District District Core Core Venue Venue Map Map