When a shopper heads to the mall, there usually isn't much in the way of surprises. There are going to be the same dozen or so big box anchors and most of the same smaller shops.
At Colorado Mills, south of I-70 and Colfax Avenue, shoppers will still find the businesses familiar to everyone. But they'll also find one-of-a-kind local businesses that bring a feeling of community to the mall.
"We're proud of the local businesses we have here at Colorado Mills," said Brenda Cleary, the mall's director of marketing and business development. "Consumers have a desire to support local business because the products come from their area and the customer service is so personalized."
The mall is home to 200 retailers, 35 of which are locally owned.
A lot of community buy-in exists from these kinds of businesses and even local locations of large franchises, said Pam Bales, president and CEO of The West Chamber. About 110 of the chamber's 820 members are in the Colorado Mills and Denver West area, including the Stevenison auto dealerships and Yard House.
"The area is a very big economic driver," she said. "From the chamber's standpoint, we love having them there."
Colorado Mills will continue to work with local businesses to ensure the mall retains that hometown feel," Cleary said. "We want customers to have a unique experience with shops besides the national brands."
Colorado Community Media visited three of Colorado Mills' local businesses to see what they bring to the mall and how they fit into the culture.
A Borgata
A Borgata specializes in products and crafts from local artisans --; everything from candles to clothing and artwork to Colorado-themed gifts. Store owner Pennie Gaudi worked in the corporate arena for years before deciding to sell everything and start her own business.
"We started with the work of 50 artisans, and now work with more than 300 between Colorado Mills, Conifer and Ca on City," she said. "I did a lot of recruiting with artists and going to galleries to see who the best people to work with would be."
A Borgata is all about the artisans and the customers, Gaudi said. At the Mills shop, Gaudi works with 130 artists and said it feels like she's helped start 130 businesses in one.
"The biggest selling point for us is that the items are local," she said. "Here at the mall, we've seen a two to five percent sales increase per month."
Cleveland Creek
Cleveland Creek is owned by Geoff Cleveland and brings home-built wood furniture and rustic d cor to the mall. All the furniture is made by Cleveland (with the help of his wife and children) from standing dead aspen, juniper and pine, and reclaimed wood.
"We harvest our own wood and do all the building ourselves," Cleveland said. "From cutting down the wood to the final product, it's all us. And if we can't build it, we find it local."
Cleveland Creek started as a wholesale retailer about 15 years ago, before switching to primarily retail. The business has been in the mall for about nine years. Cleveland said the biggest challenge is also the biggest benefit --; location.
"We've had to move to five different spots in the mall, which can make it hard for customers to find us," Cleveland said. "At the same time, we get a lot of walk-by traffic, and being right off I-70 is great because we have a lot of customers who are on the way to the mountains."
Kataluma Chai
Kataluma Chai's specialty is right there in the name. The caf sells coffee and some baked goods, but the chai is where it shines, said 24-year-old owner Mailie Medina. She started out as a barista at Kataluma, and worked there for 12 years before taking over ownership a year ago.
"We have hundreds of chai flavors here that we make ourselves," she said. "We can do it any way the customer --; hot, iced, blended and even milkshakes."
Kataluma has been in the mall since the year after it opened in 2002, and has built up a loyal customer base who like the taste and supporting a local business.
"I think Colorado is one of the best places to be an independent business," Medina said. "People are so eager to support local that getting support for your business isn't too difficult."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Big-Colorado-Mills-supports-small-business,236008
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