October 15, 2020
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 27
Small businesses in Town Center ask for support Business owners are seeing some return of normality BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While parts of the community have begun to look like they did before COVID-19, small business owners in the Highlands Ranch Town Center are still feeling the burden of the pandemic. “This is supposed to be our busy time,” said George Kavorkian, owner of Arts on Fire, from inside an empty store. Kavorkian’s family-owned business has seen a slow increase in business since some restrictions related to the novel coronavirus lifted in April, but the store is still only operating at about 50%, he said. “Things are super slow,” he said. “It has been extremely tough.” Kavorkian, who has owned the business for the past six years, said his staff is sanitizing, spreading out tables and doing everything they can to help people feel safe. In order to stay afloat, Arts on Fire created a to-go option at their store allowing customers to take materials to paint their pottery home with them. On a Wednesday afternoon in early October, the restaurant Old Blinking Light had a full patio of guests and some seated inside as well. Owner Earl Gonzales worried, however, that seasonal changes might set the business back. At Old Blinking Light, which has been in Town Center for 14 years, management is thinking of ways to add to their space before the colder weather prevents people from sitting outside, Gonzales said. “We feel the pressure of winter coming on,” he said. “We use the patio space so much, it has been key for us.” While the restaurant is considering enclosing that space for the winter, such a move can be extremely
VOLUME 33 | ISSUE 47
In-person learning remains on track Elementary class sizes would return to near normal, staffers say BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
George Kavorkian, owner of Arts on Fire, stands in his family-owned store. PHOTOS BY ELLIOTT WENZLER
Earl Gonzales, owner of Old Blinking Light, prepares to take food to a table on Oct. 7. costly. Since the start of the pandemic, at least two businesses in Town Center have closed, including Timbuk Toys and Crave Real Burgers. “Everyone’s doing what they can to survive,” Gonzales said.
VOTER SECURITY Bipartisan trust in local election integrity P4
Kavorkian said he hopes things pick up soon as the holidays draw near. “Please come and help us,” Kavorkian said. “If you don’t go to a small business, they don’t exist. It’s that simple.” Leah Rosine, owner of Abloom flower shop, said her staff has been delighted to see more foot traffic throughout Town Center, which is located on the south side of Highlands Ranch Parkway, west of Broadway. “There was a time when it seemed like a ghost town,” she said. “Now there’s a sense of normality.” Throughout the pandemic, Abloom has been largely supported by the local community and by folks hoping to brighten their loved ones’ days, Rosine said. “There’s been some really heartwarming things that we’ve been able to be a part of,” she said. “We are so grateful for their support and their willingness to support local business.”
The Douglas County School District is continuing preparations to send elementary school students back to full in-person learning this month after the school board received an update from district staff on the progress of plans. The school board held a study session on the matter — discussions in which no formal action is required — during its Oct. 6 board meeting. Staff provided a look at how a student’s day might differ once back to 100% in-person learning, staffing needs and where the community’s COVID-19 data currently sit. The district has a goal of returning elementary students to in-person learning by Oct. 19. As predicted, worsening COVID-19 statistics followed the Labor Day holiday, staff said, something numerous parents expressed concern about during public comment. Some parents worried about health concerns, while others felt children would be confused and further disrupted if the district has to reverse course and switch back to a hybrid or online learning model. Parents pointed to the district dashboard, which scores the district’s SEE LEARNING, P35
IN THE GAME Esports continues to grow as a competitive outlet for area teens
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