July 2, 2015
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2015 WINNERS GUIDE A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
WHAT’S INSIDE
#Recruiting has changed
LittletonIndependent.net
Welcome to Main Street
High school athletes are turning to new technologies to find the right college. Find our special report inside.
See Pages 22, 23
General Store 45 sells a wide variety of things, including many convenience-store staples. Photos by Jennifer Smith
The Window Shoppe is getting good exposure at its new location in the Little Town office building on Main Street.
Smokin’ Fins opened June 29, serving sushi, ribs, even alligator.
The Velvet Wolf Boutique strives to sell affordable fashion.
A fresh look: Farmers markets offer produce and much more around the area. See Page 13
POSTAL ADDRESS
New shops and restaurants add variety in downtown Littleton By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com If you haven’t been to downtown Littleton lately, you might not recognize it. Gone are some oldies but goodies, including Jose’s restaurant and Valley Feed and Supply. But a flurry of new faces has arrived, bringing along what nearly everyone calls a sense of vibrancy. Here’s a look at some of the recent additions.
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT
(ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
General Store 45/Workhorse 45 Part convenience store, part marketing and design firm, the store is selling a line of items
with the tag line it created for the city: “L-Town will fun you up.” General Manager Austin Curry said the front of the building is a “modern vintage general store” that sells a lot of natural and organic products along with grab-and-go sandwiches and soda, juice, eggs, milk and some fresh produce. Then there’s the eclectic stuff like mustache-shaped chip-bag clips, selfie sticks, nosew buttons, vintage-style toys, kitchen gadgets and shoeshine kits. “It’s just stuff we think is really cool,” said Curry. And if you happen to need any branding or design work done while you’re grabbing a Ga-
torade, you’re in just the right place. Workhorse 45 counts among its clients the Denver Broncos, Harlem Globetrotters and a number of the healthy brands it sells.
Smokin’ Fins
Having just opened June 29, the new restaurant in the old Opus space features sushi, seafood, meats smoked on site, burgers, salads, street tacos and more. Priced in what partner Ken Boyle calls the “polished casual” range, the entrees average around $15. The most expensive item, at $34.99, is the Smokin’ Ribs Trio. Main continues on Page 12
Last hurrah for superintendent June 25 school board meeting was final one for Scott Murphy By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com In the last of his long goodbyes, Superintendent Scott Murphy exited his 25-year career with Littleton Public Schools on June 25 to a standing ovation, tears, hugs and an official resolution declaring, “his servant leadership, skilled fiscal and political expertise, sincere compassion and unwavering dedication to the Littleton Public Schools District is unsurpassed.” Now officially retired, Murphy looks forward to traveling with his wife, Teri Chavez, and serving on a variety of education-related boards and committees. He’s also teaching school finance at Regis University, and spends time feeding the homeless at St. Elizabeth’s on the Auraria Murphy continues on Page 12
The Littleton Public Schools Board of Education applauds Superintendent Scott Murphy in the last moments of his final board meeting on June 26. Murphy is now officially retired. Photo by Jennifer Smith