For the nineteenth year, Glendale fielded a team in the Government Relay category of the Colfax Marathon. This year’s team finished with its best time in eight years, placing 29th out of 72 teams. Representing Glendale (left to right) were Sergeant Shaun Farley, Community Development Administrator Hannah Forbes, Victim Services Coordinator Victoria Chavez, Mayor Pro Tem Storm Gloor, Essentrics instructor Jenny Bertrand, and Officer Anthony Donaldson.
by Amber Wyatt
The family’s latest location and a Virginia Village staple in Monaco Square, at 962 S. Monaco St. Pkwy., Denver, CO 80224.
Nestled in the heart of Virginia Village, Denver’s newest Italian standout, Pomodoro Pizza Pasta, isn’t just another neighborhood trattoria, it’s a warm and loving ode to family, from the owners to the tables they welcome.
The dream behind Pomodoro began in New York City, where the founding family, New York City immigrants in the early 1980s, worked in restaurants where they crafted an idea rooted in what they value most, teamwork and camaraderie. Their first restaurant, located in Aurora, aimed to serve a diverse range of quality Italian fare, catering to Coloradans of finer tastes.
Founders Luis and Gloria Enriquez, along with Gloria’s cousin, Jesus, combined decades of experience in both the front and back of house to create something truly special. Together, they form the restaurant’s heart and soul: Luis and Jesus crafting fresh dishes and signature sauces with remarkable precision, while Gloria welcomes guests with the warmth and hospitality that have become synonymous with the restaurant itself.
What makes this team exceptional goes beyond the food. Gloria is more than a founder, she is the face of the restaurant and the reason so many customers feel like family. She greets regulars with warm hugs, remembers names and favorite orders, and makes every guest feel seen. She never forgets a face, and it’s not uncommon for her to remember the smallest details about you, like serving my ice water with two lemons without ever being asked.
In the kitchen, Luis and Jesus move with the rhythm and confidence that comes only from years of experience. Every dish is prepared with care, consistency, and pride. Together, the Enriquez family has built more than a successful restaurant; they have cultivated a community. Their dedication to authentic Hispanic hospitality, hard work, and genuine human connection has helped redefine the dining experience in Southeast Denver, bringing warmth and heart to an area that was longing for both.
Shrimp Arrabiata (with a spice).
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, while the Enriquez family found stability in the glow of the New York City lights, Denver became home to growing communities of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other former Soviet republics. Many settled in southeast Denver and nearby Aurora because of affordable apartments and access to public transportation. As those communities grew, businesses followed and over time, Monaco Square, home to the latest Pomodoro location, became one of the area’s informal cultural hubs.
Its current identity developed organically as southeast Denver became one of the city’s largest centers of immigrant communities, which not only created demand for specialty eateries but a warm and inviting rustic culture of connection that still gives the area its distinctive character today. The reality of immigrant families landing here was never part of the mission but a beautiful, well fitting irony, especially for the owners of Pomodoro.
That mission: good food and real people, followed them west in 2024. Where they opened their second Italian joint in Virginia Village, at the infamous Monaco Square plaza, it instantly blew up. The 750 sq ft space could not contain all of the foodies flooding in to try their menu. When the opportunity arose to open a second Pomodoro in Denver, they seized it, as the Aurora location, loved for its intimate atmosphere, simply couldn’t contain all of the Colorado love it was receiving. What makes this new spot special isn’t just the red sauce or the freshly-made pastas though, it’s the family behind the stove.
Sebastian, Nicolas, and Angel – Pomodoro’s specialty pizzas.
Pomodoro is a family affair: from behind-the-scenes prep to front-of-house smiles, everyone shares an important role and a promise. A restaurant regular I caught on his way out, reflected on the origin story, recalling the family’s New York dream as driven by “an immigrant’s desire to make delicious and affordable Italian food for the working people of Denver.” That mindset didn’t fade and they’ve carried it into every corner of the Denver space.
Look around the dining room and you’ll catch genuine moments: the matriarch and owner Gloria checking each table’s satisfaction, the youngest member skipping between stations with a cheeky grin, and diners greeted not as customers, but as part of the weekly feast. Regulars already describe the scene as “like visiting an aunt’s house”, where hugs replace handshakes, and unfinished wine glasses are refilled before they have to ask.
The Menu:
Hearty, Homemade, Heartfelt
While the ambiance exudes familial comfort, the kitchen’s offerings shine with rustic simplicity and fresh quality ingredients. Expect all the classics done right:
– Sebastian’s Pizza – Pizza with penne, vodka sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes
– Nicolas’ Pizza – Pizza with fresh chicken caesar salad topped with parmesan
– Angel’s Pizza – Pizza with an alfredo sauce base, topped with a medley of bacon, meatballs, and onions
Community, One Meal At A Time
The Virginia Village location hosts a full service bar in the warm and charming ambiance.
Pomodoro’s appeal lies in more than just delicious fare, it’s the simple but powerful way the owners forge connection. They greet newcomers like old friends and catch familiar faces by name. One Denver foodie remarked over their opening weekend, “This feels less like a dinner out and more like coming home.” That connection reminds us that food doesn’t just fill us; it roots us.
Under their roof, tables aren’t just seats, they’re places where conversations happen, stories are shared, and strangers leave feeling part of something warm. The founders remember replicating this vibe in Aurora, saying early on that “every customer gets to leave with memories curated in the pride of a homestyle atmosphere.” Now in Virginia Village, that signature consistency and haven of familiarity is fully intact.
Pomodoro nails the tactile, sensory markers of Italian comfort:
It’s here you’ll toast a “salute” to family.
Why It Matters
In a neighborhood rich with independent immigrant-owned eateries, Pomodoro stands out by rewriting what it means to treat customers like kin. You don’t just dine here, you belong. Their secret isn’t in an ingredient list either, it’s in the sum of all parts: heartfelt hospitality, traditions rooted in New York immigrant drive, and food cooked with open hands and open hearts.
For Denver diners craving authenticity, simplicity, and a sense of belonging, Pomodoro is more than another pasta stop, it’s your extended family’s kitchen away from home.
Stop in for a plate of rigatoni, leave carrying a food wallop and a memory. As the family behind Pomodoro would say: Everyone’s welcome, come as you are.
by Mark Smiley
Cherry Creek continues to solidify its position as one of Denver’s strongest economic engines, according to a newly released State of Cherry Creek report highlighting continued growth in development, retail, tourism, office space, and small business activity throughout the district.
Released May 15 by the Cherry Creek Alliance, the report paints a picture of a thriving mixed-use neighborhood that continues to outperform many national and regional trends despite broader economic uncertainty in commercial real estate and retail sectors.
The report found that Cherry Creek welcomed more than 16.8 million visitors annually and currently supports 1,694 businesses and more than 16,800 workers, reinforcing its reputation as one of Denver’s premier destinations for shopping, dining, business, and tourism.
One of the most notable findings involved office space performance. While office vacancies remain a challenge nationwide, Cherry Creek’s office market continued to outperform many competing urban districts. Cherry Creek North’s office vacancy rate dropped to just 1.3% in 2025, while the broader Cherry Creek office market posted a 10.5% vacancy rate — figures significantly stronger than many major U.S. markets.
Retail performance also remained exceptionally strong. The report cited a retail vacancy rate of just 1.9% along with average lease rates of $36.05 per square foot triple net, demonstrating continued demand from retailers seeking a presence in the high-traffic district.
Development activity throughout Cherry Creek also continues at a rapid pace. According to the report, eight projects are currently under construction while another eight developments have been announced. Major projects include the highly anticipated Cherry Creek West development, the Waldorf Astoria Residences, and Cherry Lane, all of which are expected to further reshape the neighborhood in the coming years.
The district also generated more than $119.3 million in tax revenue for the City and County of Denver in 2025, including $62.1 million in retail sales tax revenue, $44.7 million in property taxes, $7 million in lodger’s tax revenue, and $4.9 million from parking revenue.
Small businesses remain a major component of Cherry Creek’s economic identity. The report found that the district supports more than 462 ground-level retail and service businesses, with 87% classified as small businesses and 60% qualifying as micro businesses with fewer than 10 employees. More than half of the area’s small businesses are locally owned.
Employment and wages also continued to rise in 2025, with Cherry Creek posting 1.7% employment growth and 3% wage growth. Professional and office sectors contributed significantly to the gains, while the average annual wage in the district reached $102,266.
Tourism and hospitality indicators also remained strong. Hotels within the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District posted a 72.78% occupancy rate with an average daily room rate of $295.51 and revenue per available room reaching $216.61, outperforming citywide and statewide averages.
“Cherry Creek continues to prove that it is a vibrant, walkable mixed-use district and a powerful driver of economic growth and community vitality,” said Nick LeMasters, president of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District, in the report. “The momentum we’re seeing today reflects years of thoughtful collaboration between businesses, developers, residents, and community leaders.”
The Cherry Creek Alliance said the findings underscore the district’s continued role as a major contributor to Metro Denver’s economic growth and long-term development strategy.
Photos courtesy of Cherry Creek North
Electric Scooters Were Ridden Nearly 6.8 Million Miles Throughout Denver In 2025
by Glen Richardson
Coming To Town: The Department of Transportation & Infrastructure’s (DOTI) has selected Veo to take over the city’s scooter contract.
Following the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure’s (DOTI) selection of Veo to take over the city’s scooter operations at the end of 2025, Denver City Council — after postponing the vote twice — is expected to finally make a selection this month (May).
Lime and Bird — the two companies currently holding the city’s contract — expires on May 16. Though Veo operates in more than 50 cities, the Denver fleet would be its largest to date. Its biggest market is currently in Washington, D.C., where it has approximately 4,000 vehicles, compared to the 9,000 in Denver.
The city’s shared micro mobility program has grown into one of the largest in the nation since e-scooters arrived on Denver’s streets in 2018.
Ramifications
Reckless Riders: There’s little or no policing of careless and dangerous scooter rider behavior and improper scooter parking.
While the current companies have had success in expanding ridership and running a leading equity program, they’ve failed to address unintended side effects. Despite requests from both the city and residents, their scooters continue to block sidewalks, facilitate illegal riding, and lead to increasingly frequent injuries and deaths.
Lime lets low-income residents ride scooters for free if they receive city, state, or federal subsidies like SNAP and Medicaid. For them the free transportation has been pivotal, allowing them to get to work, school, and appointments without cost. They also bypass public transportation limitations, car traffic, and the maintenance requirements and fear of theft that come with owning personal scooters and bikes.
Lime argues that the smaller micro mobility company is incapable of taking over.
Hands Full Task
“Transitioning this program in May, the highest ridership season of the year, while Veo is engaging with a program here in Denver that is at least twice large as any program they’ve ever run before, they’re going to have their hands full no matter what,” suggests Zach Williams, Lime’s regional head of government relations.
“We just want to make sure that there is sufficient time between the transition to allow for as many people as humanly possible to get moved over.”`
Rentable electric scooters were ridden nearly 6.8 million miles throughout Denver in 2025. That’s the equivalent of scooting around the entire circumference of the Earth more than 270 times.
Lime’s Largest
Denver’s access program is Lime’s largest, according to the company, with around 30,000 people signed up.
Lime is seeking a contract extension of 12- to 18-months to serve as a transitional period, the company says.
“It has helped me get to the births of two of my granddaughters. It has helped me keep a job that I was working after the hours that public transportation, like RTD, is running,” Arenthian Bohannan, a Lime Access rider, testified during a March 18 committee hearing.
Outreach Upsurge
Despite Lime’s concerns that access riders will fall through the cracks, DOTI says the company has refused to assist in transitioning Lime users to Veo’s new access program until the contract is finalized.
“We have specifically asked that the current operators communicate information about the access program transition to their access program users. …Unfortunately, they have chosen not to,” Alaina McWhorter, DOTI’s legislative liaison, said at the April 1 committee meeting.
“DOTI, Veo, and the city can ramp up and expand our outreach and enrollment activities very quickly when this contract gets signed. We have the contingencies and mechanisms in place. …We are not going to rely on our current vendor to do it out of the goodness of their heart.”
Transition
Last Load? Lime, one of the two companies currently holding the city’s contract, argues that the smaller micro mobility company is incapable of taking over.
Veo defends its ability to handle the transition. The current access program averages 7,000 to 8,000 active monthly users, according to the city; over 1,200 users have already pre-enrolled for Veo’s access program.
Residents can use their participation in the current Lime Access program as proof of eligibility to enroll, and Veo will allow a grace period for users to ride for free throughout May without providing proof of eligibility.
“They’re grasping at straws,” Alexander Keating, Veo’s vice president of policy and partnerships, says of Lime and Bird. “Both of those vendors have a track record of, if they feel they can intimidate a city with a lawsuit or a challenge, they will. …Having lost the procurement, they have a lot on the line. They’re going to do what they need to do to try to protect themselves. I’m not super surprised, but I think it’s unfortunate.”
Free Rides
Veo’s proposed access program offers more flexibility for riders, but fewer overall minutes. Currently, Lime Access provides three free rides per day, each lasting up to 30 minutes. That means users can’t make two round-trips.
Veo has agreed to continue providing free rides with its own access pips without paying, even if each trip is only a few minutes long. Veo will offer 60 minutes of free rides per day, with no limit on the number of rides taken; after the 60 minutes, riders will be charged $0.15 per minute, with no unlocking fee.
Lime Access used to provide unlimited free rides in Denver, but the company scaled back the program to just three rides per day in April 2025.
Council Concerns
The debate over the scooter providers has centered on the access program and panicked riders who fear losing an essential means of transportation. That fear has infiltrated Denver City Council, as well.
“I’ve been wrestling really hard with the equity program,” Councilmember Sarah Parady said during the April 1 meeting. “I’m just really, really worried that people are not going to find their way back into the program for a whole variety of reasons. I think Veo has done what can be done on their end; it’s just because of not having an overlap.”
City officials have long raised red flags about Lime and Bird’s operations here.
Denver prohibits riding scooters on sidewalks, riding with multiple passengers and parking scooters in ways that block sidewalks or streets, but all of those behaviors can be observed daily in the city. Despite this, Denver police issued only nine citations for improper scooter use between 2018 and 2024, compared with the over 18.3 million e-scooter trips taken in that timeframe. That has led officials to look to the companies to enforce proper behavior among their riders.
Policing Riders
Veo Benefit: Each vehicle has a QR code that reads “How’s my parking?” which passersby can use to report improperly parked vehicles.
“There’s little or no policing of careless and dangerous scooter rider behavior and improper scooter parking,” alleged David Kurth of the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association during the March 18 committee meeting. Kurth expressed frustration over “the lip service that the current providers — especially Lime — have given to the safety of pedestrians in the downtown area.”
Reckless behavior by riders has dire consequences. Fifteen people have died while riding scooters in Denver since 2018, with over half of those deaths occurring just last year. Denver Health registered 1,868 patient encounters attributed to scooter injuries in 2025. That’s more than five patient encounters each day of the year. And Denver police received 199 reports of scooter-vehicle crashes in 2025.
Veo scooters are fitted with technology to detect unlawful behavior, such as riding on sidewalks or riding with multiple people on board, and the vehicle emits a voice warning if a rider does something wrong. Each vehicle has a QR code that reads “How’s my parking?”, which passersby can use to report improperly parked vehicles. Veo also offers a variety of vehicles with seats and larger wheels than those on standard standing scooters, improving stability for riders.
by Mark Smiley
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell featuring Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom, and Celeste Krenz performs at Four Mile Historic Park in 2025. The show is returning in 2026 as part of Swallow Hill Music’s Summer Music Series at Four Mile. Photo credit: Kit Chalberg, Courtesy Swallow Hill Music
A popular summer music tradition is returning to Glendale’s backyard as Swallow Hill Music brings back its Summer Tribute Concert Series at Four Mile Historic Park.
The Wednesday evening concert series, which runs June 3 through July 15, features seven performances celebrating legendary artists such as The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, and the Traveling Wilburys.
Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., with the park opening at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking and lawn seating.
In recent years, the series has shifted to an all-tribute format, which organizers say has helped draw record crowds eager to relive the music of iconic artists performed live by skilled regional musicians.
Returning acts include several Front Range favorites, such as The 3eatles, a Beatles tribute band; Shakedown Street, honoring the Grateful Dead; and The Traveling Wilburys Revue. The lineup also includes A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, featuring Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom, and Celeste Krenz, as well as Sugar Britches, performing the songs of the late folk legend John Prine.
Two performers will make their debut in the series this year: The Other Brothers, paying tribute to the Allman Brothers Band, and Colorado Springsteen, celebrating the music of Bruce Springsteen.
The concerts take place on the lawn at Four Mile Historic Park, offering a relaxed setting where attendees often bring picnic dinners and blankets to enjoy an evening of live music outdoors. Outside food, coolers, and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed, although outside alcohol is not permitted. A bar will be available onsite.
Tribute bands have grown increasingly popular in recent years, with acts like Brit Floyd, Bjorn Again, and Hell’s Belles touring nationally and internationally. These performances allow fans to experience the music of legendary artists live, often with remarkable attention to detail.
For performers like Sugar Britches, the tribute format also offers a chance to honor musical heroes.
“Playing these shows really makes us appreciate John Prine’s legacy,” said Brian Johanson of the band. “After John Prine passed, there was just such a big hole in the world, and I really wanted to pay homage to him.”
Johanson said the connection audiences feel during the performances is powerful.
“The last two years at Four Mile Historic Park, I have had several people come up to me after the show in tears telling me how much the show meant to them,” he said. “Seeing that connection to our hero and knowing we can help keep his legacy alive makes it worth it.”
Swallow Hill Music, a Denver nonprofit dedicated to music education and performance, uses ticket sales from events like the summer series to help support its programs and expand access to the arts.
2025 Swallow Hill Summer Concerts at Four Mile Historic Park
All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. (doors at 5:30 p.m.)
June 3 — The Other Brothers: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers
June 10 — The 3eatles: A Tribute to The Beatles
June 17 — A Tribute to Joni Mitchell (featuring Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom and Celeste Krenz)
June 24 — Sugar Britches: A Tribute to John Prine
July 1 — Colorado Springsteen: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
July 8 — Shakedown Street: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead
July 15 — The Traveling Wilburys Revue: A Tribute to the Traveling Wilburys
Tickets and additional information are available through Swallow Hill Music’s website at www.swallowhillmusic.org/four-mile.
by Amber Wyatt
The iconic facade of Foster & Son Jewelers where craftsmanship, heritage, and brilliance meet.
By any measure, Cherry Creek North has changed dramatically over the past decade. New mixed-use developments rise where parking lots once sat, national brands rotate in and out, and office foot traffic ebbs and flows with rapidly growing technology. Yet tucked between luxury storefronts and minimalist façades are artisans who have quietly shaped the district’s character for decades. Their stories reveal not just resilience, but a deep commitment to community.
Few businesses in Cherry Creek can trace their roots as deeply as Foster & Son Jewelers, a family-owned institution that has been serving the neighborhood since 1959. Long before Cherry Creek became a nationally recognized retail destination, Patricia Foster, known to most as Patty, opened a small jewelry shop in Cherry Creek called “The 14 Karat,” an ode to the 1859 Gold Rush to the Rockies. At the time, the area was still defining its identity, and Patty’s shop quickly became a trusted fixture for craftsmanship, honesty, and glamour.
As Cherry Creek grew, so did the business. Patty’s son, Brien Foster, joined the team in 1987, bringing a new generation of expertise, with his wife Cindi. Together they worked hard to preserve the values that built the shop’s reputation like reliability, community-involvement, and elegance. With the duo’s involvement, the store evolved into Foster & Son Jewelers, a name that reflects both its family roots and its long-standing commitment to quality. Today, Brien’s son Tucker and his wife Katie Foster continue to lead the business, the third generation of the Foster family to work behind the counter.
Brien and Cindy Foster on their wedding day.
Last week, I spent about an hour catching up with Tucker Foster at Foster & Son Jewelers, along with his wife, Katie, and it was one of those conversations that reminds you how much heart and history live inside a family business. Tucker lit up talking about his specialty, Cuban link chains and studded-out grills, and even showed me a few custom pieces he’s currently crafting for a local celebrity whose name, of course, could not be disclosed. A testament to how times have changed.
We also talked about the importance of lineage and carrying the Foster legacy forward, a tradition that has shaped the brand for generations. The couples’ daughter Sadie proudly holds the title of dynasty princess for now, but Tucker assured me that role is only temporary and that an heir to the Foster throne is very much in the plans. Katie shared many of the family anecdotes with me, like the tale of Brien assembling the glistening centerpiece of the store, a chandelier Patty ordered in China which came entirely with Chinese instructions.
Tucker not only has a hand in shaping the business, because, “In many ways,” he admits, “the business shaped him.” Tucker shared stories from his childhood that felt like something out of a movie: making bows for the gift-wrapped jewelry pieces customers bought for their loved ones, then sneaking around the corner to the old Wizard’s Chest location to hunt for Pokémon cards. Today, he and Katie are building their own chapter of the Foster story keeping both the craftsmanship and the family tradition alive but adapting effortlessly to the changes 67 years in the making.
An eclectic selection of wines.
In an era when many jewelry purchases are made online or through national chains, Foster & Son remains a traditional, full-service jeweler, offering custom design, repairs, appraisals, and fine jewelry curated with care. “While it’s awesome to go to Tiffany and Co and the blue box is absolutely stunning,” Tucker said, “you can get a better experience that’s more personalized and less expensive working with a family jeweler.” Their relevance lies not only in longevity, but in relationships. Many customers have been coming to the store for decades returning for engagement rings, anniversary gifts, family repairs, and milestones that span generations.
“In the past, value was in effort. Today, it’s in a brand name,” Tucker says. Oftentimes that brand is a symbol of something. People who shop with Foster and Sons wear the symbol of community, importance of family, and supporting a legacy. Brands like Tiffany & Co, however, charge customers substantial amounts just to wear the name.
That sense of trust has allowed Foster & Son to adapt as Cherry Creek’s retail landscape has shifted. While the neighborhood has seen luxury brands come and go, the Foster family has remained anchored by personal service and expertise that cannot be replicated online. Their in-store experience emphasizes conversation, education, and comfort, values that resonate in a district increasingly focused on experience-driven retail.
Front counter display of various jewelry types.
Foster & Son’s continued presence also reflects Cherry Creek’s evolution from a neighborhood shopping area to a dynamic cultural district. Through decades of development, economic shifts, and changing consumer habits, the store has remained a constant, quietly shaping the character of the area as much as responding to it.
The story of The Vineyard Wine Shop begins with its founder, Robbie Wilson, who established the shop in 1971 after falling in love with wine while living in California. As Clif Louis explains, “Robbie Wilson was the original owner, he got moved over to San Francisco, fell in love with wine, came back to Denver and said, ‘I want to open a wine store!’”
What began as a modest basement operation, accessible only through an alley, quickly became something special. “In 1971 to get to the front door, you’d come down the alley, go through the door, and down the stairs. It was only 500 feet of space to put wine,” Louis recalls, adding that Wilson’s wife Val handcrafted the stained glass windows and shelving that remain in the shop today. From the start, The Vineyard offered a thoughtful, intimate environment focused on discovery and quality rather than convenience.
Tucker, Katie, and Sadie Foster.
The Cherry Creek Mall photographed around 1960.
The second chapter of The Vineyard’s history began when a young Clif Louis entered the picture in the early 1980s. Driven by a lifelong appreciation for wine sparked by his father who “was stationed over in France, he fell in love with French wines, we always had wine at dinner, and dad let me pick the wine.”
Louis approached Wilson looking for work. “I said, ‘I’ll do anything. I just want to learn about wine.’ So he hired me as the stock boy for $4 an hour,” Louis says, noting how quickly he realized how much there was to learn about the industry. After just a year, Wilson offered a life-changing opportunity. “He said, ‘Clif, why don’t you buy me out?’ and I bought him out slowly over three years.” Louis explains.
From that point on, Louis carried forward the same philosophy of accessibility, warmth, and expertise that Wilson had built. “We weren’t the big box mentality. We didn’t want to force customers to buy a $100 bottle when a $20 bottle was just as good,” he says. “We weren’t snooty wine people. We like to sell wine to drink it.”
Under Wilson and Louis’ leadership, The Vineyard became deeply rooted in Cherry Creek’s retail culture as a staple of high society. Louis’ wife Rosella owned The Brass Bed for decades, and today their children continue the multi-generational tradition with White Peacock just down the street. “We both got into retail, and then my kids got into retail, so it really became a family thing here in Cherry Creek,” Louis shares.
The Vineyard Wines original front counter.
Today, The Vineyard remains anchored by the kind of personal service that can’t be replicated online. “Everyone who works here is taking wine classes, they’re trying to get their degrees in wine,” Louis explains. “When a customer comes in, they talk to somebody. We help them find exactly what they like.” And despite assumptions about Cherry Creek pricing, value remains central. “People think we only sell $100 bottles of wine, and that’s not the case. Most of our wines are around $20,” he says, emphasizing the shop’s commitment to quality at every price point.
That personal connection has helped The Vineyard weather major shifts in retail, including grocery stores entering the wine market. “When they passed the law allowing wine in grocery stores, that hit our sales pretty bad, probably down 30%,” Louis admits, yet he remains confident in what sets The Vineyard apart: “In the big box stores you just pull wine off the shelf. Here, everyone’s an expert. We talk, we educate, we connect.”
Clif Louis looks back on old mailers the company distributed.
Despite evolving development and competition, Louis has no plans to leave. After more than four decades, what keeps him rooted isn’t foot traffic or trends, it’s loyalty, history, and relationships built bottle by bottle. “We’ve had very loyal customers. A lot of them know my first name,” he says simply.
As Cherry Creek continues to modernize, The Vineyard stands as proof that progress doesn’t have to erase craftsmanship. Behind its shelves of carefully curated wine is a legacy built on curiosity, community, and conversation, one that continues to carry forward the spirit Robbie Wilson first poured into a small basement shop back in 1971.
Below: Current heiress of the Foster family business, Sadie Foster, daughter of Tucker and
