1-Color
January 9, 2014
75 cents Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 125, Issue 25 A publication of
littletonindependent.net
New faces popping up downtown Clothing stores, eateries make Main Street home By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
“We’re ready to move forward in Colorado and solve the problems that people are telling us we need to solve,” said House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver. “We don’t need to rehash the same fights we fought over last year.”
While the face of Main Street generally remains the same, the pace and the places were in an upward swing during 2013, says City Manager Michael Penny. “Dozens of initiatives that have been put in place over the last two years are really starting to take off,” he said. His staff has spent the last two years building a strong relationship with the downtown merchants, he says, and taking a more proactive role. “The focus has shifted from a passive `gardening’ approach to one in which we reach out to current and potential businesses,” he said. “Many of the businesses locating in Littleton have met and spent a significant amount of time with our staff prior to finding a business location within the city.” He points to programs like the economic-incentive grant, the historic-preservation grant and an upcoming downtown Littleton way-finding initiative that will guide visitors to downtown’s amenities. “The feedback we’re getting from the business community has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. The new merchants agree. Sharon Jones, owner of Gypsy Jones, can’t seem to stay away despite her wandering nature. She’s been in her current location on Main Street for about three months, in one around the corner on Prince Street for two years before that, in the Streets at SouthGlenn for four years before that, and in two different spots on Main Street for six years before that. “The gypsy was drawn back, and her caravan is home to roost,” she said. Her store is right next to another consignment store, Full Circle, and right next door to that is Soignee, a high-end women’s clothing store that opened in May to round out the selection. “I love the quaintness of Main Street,” said owner Diane Lessnau, adding that she’s excited the city is hiring an event planner to help throw the doors open to new faces. “I think it could be really a destination place if more people knew we were here.” Penny said the marketing and event coordinator will be on board soon with a mission to increase tourism, hospitality and events to bring more visitors, businesses and residents to the city. Soignee is full of sparkly things, as is Jewells up the street. Store manager Jeff Hayzlett says the company manufactures jewelry ranging from $30 to $70,000, and sells it at wholesale prices (bridal sets excluded). “We had a good Christmas season considering how new we were,” he said. The store opened in October, joining JF Sholl as a jewelry option on Main Street.
Battles continues on Page 9
Shops continues on Page 9
GOOD TO BE HOME In a matchup of Class 5A heavyweights, Arapahoe High defeated Mountain Vista 63-55 on Jan. 4 in the Warriors’ first game at home since the Dec. 13 shooting at the school. Here, Mountain Vista’s Graham Smith (25) grabs a rebound. For more coverage, turn to Page 17. Photo by Paul DiSalvo
A case of Denver déjà vu? Last year’s battles will surface again this legislative session By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradcommunitymedia.com Going into this year’s legislative session, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle insist that their next 120 days of work will focus on jobs and the economy. But the reality is that Democrats and Republicans will spend a good portion of their time refighting old battles inside the Capitol. Polarizing issues from last year’s session — rural energy mandates; oil and gas industry regulations; election reform; and, yes, gun control — will be debated again. It’s enough to make Yogi Berra proud, because a good portion of this year’s session will seem like deja vu all over again. “When you look at the outcry from the last session, there are some things that need to be looked at again,” said Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs. “And we will have an opportunity to fix them.” Republicans will sponsor bills that seek to undo a Democrat-sponsored gun control package that was placed into law following last year’s session. The package led to new laws that created universal background checks on gun sales; limited the amount of ammunition that a highPOSTAL ADDRESS
Senate President Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, speaks to reporters inside her Capitol office on Jan. 2, as Sens. Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, and Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, listen. Photo by Vic Vela capacity magazine can hold; and restricted domestic violence offenders’ access to guns. But Democratic leaders aren’t interested in having the same gun debates from last session, ones that led to emotionallycharged testimony and marathon committee hearings and floor votes.
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT
(ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780)
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