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

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.

Dio Mio: Spencer White and Alex Figura Transform Fine Dining Expertise Into Accessible Fresh Pasta Counter-Service in Denver's RiNo Since 2016

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.

Orangetheory Fitness: Heart Rate Zone Training Studio Brings Science-Based Group Fitness to Lafayette's Coal Creek Drive

Orangetheory Fitness at 1455 Coal Creek Dr in Lafayette operates as a boutique fitness studio delivering heart rate zone training through expertly designed full-body group workouts that combine cardiovascular and strength training with real-time heart rate tracking, demonstrating how national fitness franchises can serve local communities by providing specialized wellness services that complement regional health initiatives and support active lifestyles. Operating Monday through Friday from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM and weekends from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM, the studio offers professionally coached group fitness classes in a supportive environment where Lafayette residents can access evidence-based training methods originally developed by fitness physiologist Ellen Latham, who created the Orangetheory concept to make effective heart rate-based training accessible to general populations beyond elite athletes. Through certified coaches leading structured workout sessions that guide members through five heart rate zones designed to maximize calorie burn and improve cardiovascular fitness, Orangetheory exemplifies how specialized fitness services contribute to community health infrastructure that enables residents to maintain the physical wellness necessary for active participation in local food systems, farmers markets, and community agriculture initiatives. Featured on Daily Grains' platform showcasing community wellness infrastructure, Orangetheory Fitness demonstrates how fitness studios strengthen regional economies by providing health services that complement access to nutritious local foods, creating comprehensive wellness ecosystems where physical fitness programs and local food systems mutually reinforce community health outcomes essential for building resilient regional economies centered on agriculture, artisan food production, and sustainable living practices.

Anytime Fitness Lafayette: 24/7 Gym Access with Global Membership Benefits

> 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.

The PB Love Company: Mario Esparza's Texas-to-Denver Stone-Ground Nut Butter Journey

> 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.'

DEKī Ltd: Small-Batch Craft Spirits & Creative Cocktails in Old Town Lafayette

> 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.

The Food Corridor: SaaS Platform Connecting Food Businesses With Commercial Kitchen Assets Nationwide

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.

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant: Lafayette's Go-To for Authentic Green Chili Since Early Morning

> 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.

Five Freedoms Dairy: Veterinarian's Revolutionary Approach Lets Mothers and Calves Stay Together

> 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.

East Simpson Coffee Company: Historic City Hall Transformed into Community Coffee Hub

> 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.
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