The
Harvest Festival | Oct. 11!
FALL MARKET UPDATE : Lower rates. More listings. Better deals. For the first time in a while, the market is working in buyers’ favor
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The Food & Drink IssueTime to Dig In
The success of Littleton's Restaurant Week, where more than 40 restaurants participated, shines a spotlight on the culinary scene available in Littleton. Describing Restaurant Week, Korri Lundock, Executive Director of the Littleton Business Chamber, says, "This ten-day event is more than a celebration of great food - it's a testament to the strength, creativity, and collaboration of our local hospitality community."
This issue of Littleton City Lifestyle highlights both our local arts and culture as well as our food scene. The article Arts, Eats, and Energy of Historic Downtown Littleton by J.D. McCrumb brings the stage and the table together and emphasizes how walkable our city is.
Our article on high altitude gardening by Littleton resident Holly Kerns brings the table to your backyard with tips and wisdom regarding the ups and downs of gardening in Colorado. And October is the perfect time to try out new seasonal drinks and recipes that embrace the fall weather.
Thank you for being a reader! We hope this issue inspires you to be a guest at a new dining venue or possibly grow a wider variety of herbs in your garden. Whatever appeals to you most we hope you dig in and enjoy!
ELIZABETH WATSON, PUBLISHER
@LITTLETON_CITY_LIFESTYLE
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Elizabeth Watson | elizabeth.watson@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Elise Luter | elise.luter@citylifestyle.com
MARKET SUPPORT DIRECTOR
Joe Kroog
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris W
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Linda Ditch, Holly Kerns, Sam Lage, J.D. McCrumb
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Janie Jones, Christian Marcy-Vega, Nicolette Martin, Chris W
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7: Pamela
owner of Law Mother, hosted clients, friends, and family at a client appreciation event at Littleton’s Clement Park. Law Mother is an award winning estate planning and asset protection firm recognized in 2025 by 5280 Magazine as a Top Lawyer and awarded the Littleton Independent’s 2025 Best of the Best Award, Attorney Category. October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month emphasizing the importance of protecting assets and preparing wills.
Maass Garrett,
YOU’RE INVITED
GRAND OPENING PARTY
OCTOBER 10, 2025 | 4 to 7 PM
To celebrate the grand opening of our clinic, we welcome the community to join us for a grand-opening party. Enjoy food and drinks while you meet Dr. Dillon Le and Dr. Sheila Vizanko and bring the kids for some fun activities!
Ascend is an affordable, membership-based family medicine clinic with unlimited doctor access and no insurance hassles. Don’t struggle to find availability in the traditional primary care system. Get reliable and personalized care from doctors you can trust with your health. Perfect for individuals, families, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
With a monthly membership, you get:
Unlimited Visits - In-office or virtual
Direct Communication - Call, text, or email your doctor anytime Preventive & Sick Care - In-office diagnostics and procedures No Copays, No Insurance Hassles - Transparent & straightforward care
business monthly
Cooking Demonstration for Families with Suzy Destarac
Suzy Destarac, president of Shine Health Collective, is passionate about providing educational opportunities regarding health and wellness. She invites you to join her for a family-friendly demo where she'll share a simple recipe. Samples available! Pick up practical tips on on how to make healthy habits stick. The event will be held at the Littleton Natural Grocers on Coal Mine and Kipling. Wednesday, October 15 - 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Learn more ShineHealthCollective.com
Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns at Hudson Gardens
Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns celebrates its fifth year bringing the community together at Hudson Gardens (6115 S Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, CO 80120) to stroll through more than 7,000 unique, hand-carved pumpkins. Guests of all ages will be able to enjoy a glowing journey that will bring them face-to-face with entertaining pumpkin scenes of favorite characters, a seascape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, dragons, and much more, all set beneath the autumn night sky. MagicOfTheJackOLanterns.com/Denver/
Aspen Grove's Woof-o-Ween & Pawrade
Sunday, October 12 between noon and 3 p.m., join the howl-iday fun at Aspen Grove. Events include a fundraiser parade benefitting Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary, a Barkin' Market with over 30 dog-friendly vendors, Dog Trick-orTreating, and a Dog Costume Contest. In addition, there will be live entertainment, a dog bar with dog "beer," food trucks and a human bar, music, photo ops and more! RSVP to attend and registration is required to participate in the parade. AspenGroveCenter.com/Event/Woof-o-Ween-Pawrade
TURNING A NIGHT AT THE THEATER INTO A CELEBRATION OF FOOD, DRINK, AND COMMUNITY
The Arts, Eats, and Energy of Historic Downtown Littleton
ARTICLE BY J.D. MCCRUMB | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS W
Walkable
blocks invite wandering before or after a show, with choices ranging from elevated dining to casual bites and lively bars.
Under the soft glow of Main Street’s vintage lampposts, theatergoers gather outside the historic façade of the Town Hall Arts Center, a 1920 Italianate gem where live performance and local flavor intertwine. Inside, the creative team isn’t just preparing costumes, sets, and cue lights, they are also mixing cocktails inspired by each mainstage production. These theatrical tipples, crafted to echo characters and storylines, elevate an evening at the theater into a multi-sensory event. By putting the cocktail shaker in creative hands, Town Hall blurs the line between what you see onstage and what you sip in the lobby, setting the scene for an unforgettable night out.
The creativity behind the bar matches the imagination unfolding in Town Hall’s second floor theater. That spirit comes largely from Adam Rocholl, a seasoned local bar manager with more than 20 years experience, who develops Town Hall’s batched cocktails. For each mainstage production, Rocholl creates a specialty drink reflecting the show’s era, mood, or sense of humor. The results are both delicious and theatrical, and they’ve become so popular that patrons now arrive asking, “What’s tonight’s drink?”
The themed cocktails have transformed the Town Hall experience. Concession sales have doubled since the program launched last season, and the bar is so busy the theater opened a second station to keep up with demand. Patrons often gravitate toward the Stanton Art Gallery, where they can sip their show-themed drink while browsing the latest art exhibit. The buzz even earned Town Hall Westword’s “Best Theater Bar.”
Some concoctions have already reached cult status. During last year’s production of Cannibal! The
Musical, the runaway favorite featured a rum punch laced with apple cider and garnished with gummy body parts, a cheeky nod to the show’s dark humor. For Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, running September 12 through October 19, Rocholl has crafted a slow gin fizz, layered with Chinese five-spice, a cocktail that feels both era-appropriate and slightly unexpected.
Town Hall’s flair for blending storytelling and spirits does not happen in isolation. Downtown Littleton’s restaurants, including Town Hall sponsors Grande Station Social Bistro and Black + Haus Tavern, share a common goal: to make food and drink a natural part of the evening you’ve come to enjoy at the theater. These partnerships help knit together a cultural and culinary scene that invites audiences to make an entire evening of their theater experience.
At Grande Station, the experience often begins with warmth. The dining room is polished yet approachable, where truffle-tossed fries and seasonal flatbreads mingle with cocktails that balance elegance and comfort. A pre-show dinner builds anticipation while keeping the mood relaxed. Just down Main Street, Black + Haus Tavern offers moody lighting, bold flavors, and an experimental bar program. A smoky mezcal creation might echo a dramatic performance, while a bright gin cocktail could match a lighter story. Both restaurants extend Town Hall’s spirit offstage, offering flavors that complement the performances inside.
Beyond the historic glass doors of Town Hall, where light and laughter spill onto Main Street after every performance, downtown Littleton unfolds into a rich landscape of food and drink options that make the district one of the metro area’s most appealing places
to stroll. Walkable blocks invite wandering before or after a show, with choices ranging from elevated dining to casual bites and lively bars.
For those who prefer to start their evening with a pour rather than a plate, downtown Littleton offers several inviting stops. iN-TEA, with its menu of looseleaf blends and cozy, light-filled interior, makes an ideal pre-show ritual or early afternoon gathering place. Kate’s Wine Bar has become a local institution, beloved for its intimate atmosphere and carefully curated wine list. Conversation flows as easily as the vintages, ideal for a quiet date night or thoughtful wind-down. Just down the block, The Lazy Greyhound takes a playful approach, turning mixology into its own performance with cocktails that surprise and delight. Together, these establishments underscore how downtown Littleton has evolved into not just a place to eat and shop, but a destination for memorable nights out.
Dining plays as central a role in the downtown experience as drinking. Visitors find plenty of choices within a few blocks of the theater, from long-standing favorites
serving classic American fare to newer spots offering international influences. Mexican street-food tacos and margaritas at Cencalli Taqueria brings vibrant energy to one corner. For an even more indulgent evening, The Melting Pot offers a full fondue experience—slowpaced, interactive, and perfect for lingering conversation before or after a performance.
It is this variety that allows each trip to Town Hall Arts Center to feel like a new adventure, tailored to mood and company. Whether drawn by the spotlight, the sip, or the shared ritual of gathering, downtown Littleton delivers. Town Hall Arts Center’s tailor-made cocktails invite audiences to taste the theater, while the surrounding restaurants, bars, and cafes extend that storytelling into the neighborhood. Around them, a lively mix of wine bars, cocktail lounges, coffeehouses, and eateries keeps the energy flowing long after the final bow.
Pick a show, order a themed cocktail, stroll down Main Street, and let your senses be the critic. In Littleton, the arts and the table come together in a story worth savoring.
iN-TEA, Littleton, Colorado
In Littleton, the arts and the table come together in a story worth savoring.
Black + Haus Tavern -
Photography by Christian Marcy-Vega Photography
ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
STYLISH SOIREE
ELEGANT BUT CASUAL GATHERING
Autumn is a lovely season to have friends and family over for dinner. Why not host an elegant but casual gathering before the holiday craziness begins? A table setting of white dishes, woven placemats, copper utensils, and linen napkins decorated with succulent or herb clippings creates a stylish atmosphere conducive to conversation and enjoyment. This simple menu will allow you to host a stress-free evening.
CHEESE BOARD
While your guests enjoy a pre-dinner glass of wine or cocktail, set out a cheese board for them to nibble on. It is much simpler to assemble than a full-on charcuterie board. The basic rule is to offer three types of cheese—one blue (stilton, Roquefort, gorgonzola), one hard (cheddar, gruyere, manchego), and one soft (brie, camembert, Port Salut). Feel free to add olives, nuts, and grapes to the board, or just keep it simple like this one pictured with slices of artisan bread, crackers, and breadsticks.
Recipe by Linda Ditch
ROASTED
BEET SALAD
• 6 medium beets
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bag of salad greens
• 1/4 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
• 2 ounces of goat or feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
• Favorite vinaigrette dressing
Coat the beets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet. Roast in a 400-degree oven for 45 minutes until fork tender. Cool for 10 minutes, and then rub with paper towels to peel. (Beet juice stains, so be careful.) Cut the beets and toss with the remaining ingredients.
STEAK RUB
The dinner’s main event is a lovely piece of beef seasoned with a this spice rub. Use a steak of your choice grilled or seared in a cast iron skillet.
• 3 parts brown sugar
• 3 parts smoked sea salt
• 1 part smoked paprika
• ½ part coriander
• ½ part chili powder
• ¼ part cayenne pepper
• ¼ part dried thyme
• ¼ part cracked pepper
Mix all spices and apply liberally to the beef. Place the seasoned meat in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Allow it to come to room temperature before grilling or searing.
Recipe by Chef Eric Carter
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY KERNS
High Altitude Gardening Made Easy
Tips for Backyard Gardening to Face the Challenges of Littleton's Climate
It is that time of year again, when we are thinking about our gardens for next year! In Littleton, the climate can be especially challenging to successfully grow your favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The temperatures can be especially difficult, going from extreme highs to lows in very short periods of time, and many plants aren’t resilient to this type of variance. Not to worry though! There are easy tips that will help you start a beautiful garden from scratch or maintain the garden that you’ve already started and love!
It is important to remember that plants thrive off natural sunlight, and in most cases, the more exposure the better. Find a place for your beds that will get as much sunlight as possible, and where they can be protected from being disturbed by wildlife such as rabbits and squirrels.
Raised/above ground beds do especially well, and there are a variety of options available. Homeowners can build wooden raised beds, or premade beds such as bags or galvanized metal beds can be purchased, and they tend to be both cost effective and weather resistant.
Perhaps the most important aspect of your gardening adventure is the soil that you use in your beds. Regular Earth dirt will not grow big, beautiful produce because it is lacking significant nutrients. Soil that is intended for vegetable gardens can be purchased at most nurseries and garden centers. When determining how much soil you will need, it is usually best to anticipate filling each bed 2-3’ deep, so that the roots have plenty of growing room.
Once you have the soil in your beds, it is best to make sure it is slightly moist. At this point, the soil
needs to be amended, which means adding materials to it (most often organic compost) to make it nutrient rich. Once the compost is mixed in, you are ready to start planting!
When determining what you want to grow, there is a lot to think about. A very common mistake is to grow things you end up not eating/using fast enough, or growing something you thought you would eat, but it ends up going to waste. Make sure you grow foods that you and your family will enjoy a plentiful amount of!
It is also important to understand the USDA Hardiness Zone map, which is a great resource for helping gardeners determine what will grow best in our climate. The Colorado Front Range tends to fall within zones four and five, which indicates a tougher climate and shorter growing season. Crops such as beans, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes (depending on the species) tend to grow very well in these zones.
A lot of herbs also grow well, are easy to maintain, and most come back year after year. Basil, chives, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary,
CONTINUED >
sage, and thyme are Littleton-friendly herbs. Basil is a great example of an herb that can be grown easily, and works great as a companion in beds with plants that are susceptible to being destroyed by insects, since it is a natural pesticide.
Melons and berries can be grown quite successfully, following the same guidelines as vegetable garden beds. Fruit trees can be especially tricky in this climate and most aren’t annual producers, so a harvest can only be collected every four to five years usually.
Once you have planted seeds, most beds only require watering every other day, depending on how high the temperature gets. Be careful not to overwater, or your plants will not produce as well, and a lot of times they will eventually die off.
Lastly, it is important to protect your plants from elements such as hail and frost, and there are great options for netting and blankets that can be purchased and easily installed.
Happy Gardening!
“Make sure you grow foods that you and your family will enjoy a plentiful amount of!”
Photography | Stacey Stonehocker
Sylvaine’s French Antiques & Collectibles
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For 27 years, our Santa sessions have been more than just photos, they’ve been a heartfelt tradition that has helped raise over $125,000 for Children’s Hospital.
Each visit is a cozy 15 minutes filled with joy, laughter, and treasured portraits with our Santa, creating memories that give back in the most meaningful way. Scan the code for more information and to book your experience today!
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Do The Monster Mash With These Fall-Focused Cocktails Perfect For Halloween Festivities
spook
ARTICLE BY SAM LAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLETTE MARTIN
TOASTED MALLOW
• 2 ounces cachaça (Brazilian sugar cane rum, silver rum can be substituted)
• 1 ounce Galliano liqueur
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce brown sugar & cinnamon syrup
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• fresh nutmeg
Combine all ingredients except for the nutmeg in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Strain through a mesh fine strainer into a martini glass or other decorative glassware without ice. Shave fresh nutmeg over the top as a garnish and enjoy!
PUMPKIN BRAIN PURÉE
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces chocolate liqueur
• 1/2 ounce Frangelico liqueur
• graham crackers
• marshmallows
Combine all ingredients except for the graham crackers and marshmallows in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag to make a fine powder. Coat half of a martini glass with your crushed graham crackers and strain your cocktail into the coated martini glass. Layer the top of the drink with marshmallows and toast with a crème brûlée torch. Enjoy!
Elizabeth turned a magazine into community.
City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?
Littleton City Lifestyle
Published by Elizabeth Loved by Littleton
events
OCTOBER 10TH - 12TH
Pumpkin Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128 | 9:00 AM
Celebrate fall at Chatfield Farm's Pumpkin Festival, a treasured October tradition for the entire family. Ticket price includes live music, assorted vendors, and family and children's activities. Pumpkins are available for purchase at the 10-acre pumpkin patch. Enjoy hayrides through Chatfield Farms, live music, face painting, food and beverage options and more! Tickets and FAQ at BotanicGardens.org/ Events/Special-Events/Pumpkin-Festival
OCTOBER 11TH
Harvest Festival at the Littleton Museum
Living History Farm of the Littleton Museum, 6028 S Gallup St, Littleton, CO 80120 | 10:00 AM
Littleton's annual Harvest Festival provides numerous free events as well as food and additional activities for purchase. Free offerings include entry, musical performances, photo opportunities, toddler hay bale maze, and a variety of free historical demonstrations. Tickets required, cash or check only, to purchase pumpkins as well as wagon rides, snacks/meals, and to play 1890s Carnival Games. FAQ and additional information at Museum.LittletonCo.gov/Events-Programs/Events/Harvest-Festival
OCTOBER 17TH, 18TH, 24TH AND 25TH
Haunts of Littleton - Family Friendly Walking Ghost Tour
Littleton Light Rail Station, 5800 Prince St. Littleton, CO 80120 | 7:00 PM
Haunts of Littleton invites you on a nighttime journey through Littleton’s dark streets and alleys. Told by master storytellers dressed in period attire, the walking tour takes you on an hour-long “spirited” journey through downtown Littleton. Fun for young and old alike, the tour is a fine mix of facts, frights, and tongue-in-cheek muses. Purchase tickets at HauntsOfLittleton.com
OCTOBER 18TH AND 25TH
Chocolate and Wine Class
The Chocolate Therapist, 2560 W Main St, Littleton CO 80120 | 6:30 PM
Enjoy an evening of education and entertainment at one of The Chocolate Therapist's unique Chocolate & Wine Pairing classes. Learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar and how to taste chocolate properly. Includes four wines and 10 handcrafted chocolates made specifically for pairing with wines. Tea can be substituted for wine for non-drinking participants. TheChocolateTherapist.com/Event-Directory
OCTOBER 19TH
Timber & Tallow's Pitmaster Academy Presents: Pork Fundamentals
Rocker Spirits, 5587 S Hill St. Littleton, CO 80120 | 3:00 PM
Timber & Tallow is a premier BBQ catering and education program. Founded by Jonathon "Carlos" Indermuehle of Heifers, Butts & Clucks BBQ and Jacob Gavin of Ribs & Whiskey BBQ, the Pitmaster Academy blends award-winning expertise with a passion for making BBQ approachable, elevated, and unforgettable. Coming to Rocker Spirits in Littleton this October! Limited tickets are available for purchase at TheTimberAndTallow.com
OCTOBER 24TH
Boo-rific Bash & Splash
Ridge Recreation Center, 6613 S. Ward St., Littleton CO 80127 | 6:00 PM
Join the Foothills Park & Recreation District for their annual Boo-rific Bash & Splash! A fun and affordable indoor event for the whole family that includes trick-or-treating, bounce houses, and swimming. New this year - purchase your Boo-rific tickets in advance to skip the pay-at-the-door line and go directly into the event. Purchase tickets and learn more at iFoothills.org/Events
WHAT KEEPS YOU UPAT NIGHT?
You’ve built a life you’re proud of. But you still wonder… who will protect what matters most?
If something happens to me, who will raise and love my children the way I would?
How can I make sure my family doesn’t end up fighting or stuck in court after I’m gone?
If I can’t speak for myself, who will make the right medical and financial decisions for me?
How will my family remember my values, my stories, and what mattered most to me?
Will the people I love receive what I’ve worked so hard for and in the way I want them to?
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BBP Founder, Scott Bemis meeting with BBP Partner, Gina Schreck, owner of The Village Workspace in Centennial.