07/07/2016
Copper Hound Coffee is closed. Due to legal issues, I've been unable to post or update anything on here since we shut down. Fortunately, the issues between my landlord and myself have now been settled and I am able to move on to the next step. However... it will not be to re-open.
So what now?
Well, I started this company with the idea to blend together the two different focuses of coffee shops that I personally enjoyed. First, I wanted to be a space for the community. Somewhere people could gather, hang-out, read a book, or just watch the traffic. But more than just that, I wanted to be hands on with improving the neighborhood and bringing new events to a part of town that frankly needed something to kickstart some real growth. And coffee shops have been involved in that process in other parts of Denver that are now some of the best neighborhoods around. Common Grounds Coffee was a focus of the Highland Square region early on, just as Stella's Coffee was instrumental in South Pearl Street's growth and popularity.
I'd like to think that we were starting on the right path to do that here. Our events such as Kid's Yoga, the Charity Poker Tournament, and hosting church group meetings were the best times I worked. I got to see people interested in connecting with others come together and just have fun.
And then as my second focus, I wanted to simply serve some of the best coffee in Denver. The coffee scene in this town is just absolutely fantastic right now. I compare it to where we saw the beer industry 15 to 20 years ago. New shops are coming into different areas and getting not just local notice, but in some cases international attention. Corvus Coffee has been written up by Food and Wine. Commonwealth Coffee was listed as one of the best new roasters of the year. Andy Sprenger of Sweet Bloom is a two-time US Brewers Cup Champion. All of this, and Denver is still just barely beginning to become a coffee city. It's amazing to think where we'll be in 10 years.
My earliest coffee memory was getting a cup at church every Sunday back when I was in elementary. It had sat on the burner too long, was over-extracted, and half the time had grounds still floating around. But that bitter bit of sludge at the bottom? As terrible as it was (and was it ever truly, god-awful terrible!), it would wake me up every week.
I still drink the occasional bad cup of coffee. I still even prepare at home the occasional bad cup. I have fun drinking it down too. But should I prepare a cup for someone else... then I want to make sure I'm serving the best product I can. That was the idea of Copper Hound. Focus on a smaller menu to make sure that we served Harvey Park the best cup we could. And again, I'd like to think we were making good steps on working toward that.
So what now?
Well, first I want to say a couple of thank-you's to those who made a difference. My employees that stuck with me to the end are probably the best staff I could of had. It wasn't pretty, I know, but thank you for sticking it out. I'm glad to hear they've gone on to bigger and better things.
Second- a thank-you to those around town that helped me out. Starting out, I had a lot of questions and people went out of the way to answer them. I had a great support team of coffee industry, construction industry, and business people that were fantastic resources.
And as a final thank-you, one to Harvey Park and the people that were our regulars. I still expect good things coming for this corner of town, and enjoyed my time spent there.
So what now?
I thought I might highlight some friends and businesses worth following. I'll try to keep these short.
For coffee, Sweet Bloom is the nearest place I fully recommend. Flat out fantastic coffee and maybe even a comfy couch that might look familiar.
http://sweetbloomcoffee.com
I'd be remiss for not also mentioning Village Roasters in Lakewood and Keith's Coffee just off of Evans and Downing. Some of our great staff ended up at those locations and are still slinging great espresso.
http://villageroaster.com/
http://keithscoffeebar.com/
Speaking of our former staff, if anyone is in need of event/wedding flowers, be sure to contact Orchid Princess Floral. Fantastic designs.
http://www.orchidprincessfloral.com/
For anyone looking for a haircut, Banter Barber is the place to go. They've got a great eye for quality. (And yes, they're located here in Denver and not New York or San Francisco as the website might lead you to believe)
http://banterbarber.co/
Last, one of our artists that we were proud to feature is now in residence at Jubilee Coffee in Aurora. Both the art and the coffee are worth checking out.
https://www.instagram.com/mortar_and_stone/
http://www.jubileeroastingco.com/
So that's basically it then. It's been a bit of an odd journey, but I'm thankful for it.
So what now?
I don't really know. But I'm looking forward to finding out.
