All Local, All The Time
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To paraphrase Forrest Gump's mama, a trip to the grocery store these days is like a box of chocolates-you never know what you're going to get because several items on your list are probably out of stock. The reasons for this are myriad, and mostly (but not entirely) downstream from the pandemic, but it can be summed up as bottlenecks at all points along the food supply chain--from the source, to vendors, to distributors, and at the store level. In Colorado and other parts of the U.S., this...
Niwot realtor Pat Murphy presented the 2021 Golden Hammer Award to long-time Niwot volunteer Julie Breyer at the Great Pumpkin Party Oct. 30. In presenting the award, Murphy noted that Breyer was first employed as a waitress at Rev Taylor's Restaurant shortly after moving to Niwot in 1986. She later became a third-grade teacher at Niwot Elementary School, where she currently teaches. Breyer has also been a volunteer for many organizations in Niwot, including the Niwot Community Association,...
On Aug. 14, Niwot Market co-owner Alison Steele married fiancee Peter Kraft in an outdoor ceremony at her uncle Mike Knaus' farm in Niwot. Alison's father, Bert Steele, did the honors in walking the bride down the aisle. From left Bert Steele, Sara Wollesen, Seth Steele, Alison Steele, Julie Steele, and twin sister Emily Dunn....
Niwot's downtown was packed on Friday, July 30 – at 4:00 a.m. Over 200 fans of Niwot High grad Elise Cranny packed Niwot Wheel Works to witness Cranny's Olympic debut as part of the USA track team. Cranny did not disappoint her fans, finishing fourth in the second heat of the 5,000-meter prelims to qualify for the finals. The first five runners in each heat qualified for the finals, plus the five next-best times. Cranny's heat began at 4:26 a.m. Mountain Time, but the downtown vibe was what y...
The summer tradition of Friday Night Dinner at Niwot Market was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic, but Bert Steele has brought them back in 2021, albeit on a monthly rather than weekly basis. The dinners are served on the Market's front patio, and feature multiple courses, prepared using fresh ingredients from the shelves. The cost is $25 per plate for adults, and $13 for kids. Unfortunately, the next date, Aug. 6, is already sold out, but there are still spots available in September. For more...
Bert Steele doesn't consider himself a "car guy," but he definitely appreciates the classics. So when the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled many of Niwot's traditional summer events, including his famed Friday night dinners at the Market, he partnered with Pat Murphy and the Niwot Tavern to bring a socially distanced alternative to town, and the new tradition of Friday night car shows was born. Fast-forward a year and the cars and crowds are still coming to Niwot Market's parking lot in Cottonwood...
Everyone knows about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which provides getaways to critically ill patients, but Broomfield mom Ann Townsend realized that caregivers of those patients face challenges of their own. So in 2018 she founded the Grant-A-Dream Foundation and started helping families across Colorado refresh and reconnect. "Even if caregivers get time to take a vacation, they're exhausted, they don't want to put the time into even putting it together, or they don't know how to do it. And,...
The Niwot Business Association, known informally as the NBA, is the organization that gets most things done in Niwot's business district. While the Niwot Community Association (NCA) addresses matters of community-wide interest, the NBA has taken the lead on business-related matters. The two organizations often work together on projects of mutual interest, such as the Veteran's Banner Project last fall. But the NBA, whose 150-plus dues-paying members often live in NIwot as well as work there, is...
You're in the midst of Thomas Studholme's artwork when you shop and stroll in Niwot. Studholme's paintings are found throughout the Niwot Market and likely, Studholme himself is at the market, so mask aside, he's got a very recognizable face. For the last four years, he's painted holiday scenes on the windows of local businesses and won several awards as a result. We asked this Familiar Face some questions to get to know the man behind the art. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - How did life...
Boulder County's newest commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin got a crash course in the history of the Niwot Local Improvement District when the BOCC met with members of the LID advisory committee on Feb. 25. They also got an earful about some missteps by their predecessors, as well as some still-lingering conflicts that arose from the NRCD building moratorium from two years ago. But the meeting ended with an optimistic tone, and an agreement from both boards to work more cooperatively...
Back in March, streaks of panic buying due to COVID-19 left stores barren of cleaning supplies, bathroom essentials and canned foods. Niwot Market owners were forced to limit purchases of certain items to one or two per person. The supply chain slowed down as big vendors shifted to the bigger markets, leaving owners Alison Steele and Bert Steele to look towards quickly developing new relationships with smaller vendors. However, the Steeles are confident now that they have the resources necessary...
Last week, Renee and Bill McDermid of the Hampton Inn in Gunbarrel needed help feeding firefighters working on the CalWood and Left Hand Canyon fires, as many area restaurants were closed for dining. That spurred a number of Niwot residents into action, and before long, firefighters from Oregon, Nebraska, and elsewhere were well fed and ready to battle the blazes. Niwot Community Association donated $500 to be used towards the purchase of food. The Niwot Cookie Moms also chipped in with home...
In April, the Niwot Business Association had record attendance for its first ever Zoom meeting, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Amongst the lively discussions, Josh Morin from We Love Trees asked how we could help businesses circulate gift cards. NBA Vice President Deborah Read Fowler suggested a central location in Niwot Market, and owner Bert Steele instantly agreed. There, the idea was born, and Fowler volunteered to lead the project and bring the idea to life. "This is a...
Niwot Market has long been a staple of the Niwot community. But in recent weeks, with grocery stores and grocery store employees deemed essential during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, the market has perhaps played an even more critical role in the community's new normal. At its heart, Niwot Market is a family affair. And this can be seen in the way the Steele family has stepped up to protect their employees and support their community in recent weeks-from implementing curbside pickup to install...
The coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns have taken a steep toll on Niwot businesses, and the path to recovery is still uncertain. But Eric Bergeson and the Niwot Business Association are working to get their members started on that path and hopefully back to a thriving downtown commercial district. "The NBA Executive Committee has been trying to respond to this and provide whatever assistance we can," said Bergeson, who was elected to his first term as NBA president in February. "We're...
On March 12, escalating efforts by state and school officials to stop the spread of COVID-19 touched off a "panic buying" spree at Niwot Market that left several shelves bare and sent some longtime customers away in frustration. But owners Bert and Alison Steele are seeing hopeful signs that the initial shock has abated and operations at the town's 18-year-old independent grocery store will soon be back to normal-or whatever passes for that these days. "The question I'm always getting is, are...
Local businesses and residents are feeling the impacts of COVID-19. The Niwot Inn took a big hit when a group of international business travelers canceled their gathering for later this month. The group of CEOs come from Europe, India and across the U.S., booking the entire Inn a couple of times a year for three to four days, according to co-owner Carissa Brandes. “Thousands of dollars, it’s very tough,” said Brandes. “We’ve noticed this March has been one of the slowest months we’ve had...
Dear Editor, Many thanks to Carrie Wise, Pat Murphy and Bert Steele for sharing common sense insights into the impacts of incorporation. As Carrie so (wisely) put it: “I think Niwot is really good the way it is.” “Don’t mess with it if it’s not broken.” Bert Steele of Niwot Market said that the property tax increases proposed by incorporation “…are too high for many retail outlets, including his, which operates with a slender profit margin.” Higher property taxes piled on top of other forces driving up operating costs for small businesses...
Carrie Wise of Wise Buy Antiques is not prone to angry outbursts, but a recent push to bring a municipal government to Niwot has provoked more than one. Now she is joining with other local business owners to get the word out about the potential pitfalls of incorporation and head off a move that she said will irreparably change the unique character of the town. "I think Niwot's really good the way it is," Wise said. "Don't mess with it if it's not broken. I can't help it if the people on the...
A quick perusal of Niwot Market is all it takes to notice a new aesthetic throughout the floral department. That’s because Niwot Florist has been purchased by Susy Tallman Shams, a Lafayette resident of 25 years. As of Aug. 1, Tallman Shams took over this locally loved flower shop and plans to run it along with her daughter, Nina Shams. Newly renamed Juniper & Twine, the shop implemented a total design and brand overhaul, including the name change and interior design updates, but Tallman S...
Niwot Market’s Friday Night Dinners are back, bigger and better than ever. Comments from diners at last week’s dinner were a resounding thumbs up. Chuck, a regular at the dinners, summed it up well. “This is the complete package in that you get the music, the quality of the food and the overall spirit of our town. This is really the Niwot kind of chill.” The rave reviews never ended. Jim, another regular, poetically stated, “Just a great place to get together after a long hard day at work. The f...
When local realtor Pat Murphy started hosting the annual Niwot Easter Egg Hunt, she wanted to give something back to the community that had supported her growing business in its formative years. Now, after four decades of watching both Niwot and the event flourish, she also feels grateful for the opportunity to create cherished memories for multiple generations of area families. “I am blessed that I’ve be able to work in this town all this time, and as a thank you for everybody’s business and t...
When he was just 24 years old, Justin Hirshfield was likely the youngest head chef in Boulder at his gig with Laudisio’s Ristorante. Hirshfield is familiar to those in Niwot because of his 12 years working at the Niwot Market where he could be spotted most days. But, about a year and a half ago he joined the team at 1914 House as their head chef, so now it’s the evening crowd that’s most likely to see him. You may never have crossed paths with Hirshfield when he didn’t have a hat on his head or...
Have you been out for a walk in the morning in Niwot and then midday stopped at the Niwot Liquor Store to pick up provisions, and perhaps in the late afternoon you were on your way to meet friends on 2nd Avenue, and on each outing you chanced upon the familiar face belonging to Rob Gordon? Gordon gets around town like no one else. Why? Because Gordon walks dogs and housesits; he’s a clerk at the liquor store; he works at the Niwot Inn; he does yard work around town; and he delivers newspapers e...
Grocery and convenience stores are on their marks for New Year’s Day when an 85-year-old remnant of Colorado’s prohibition laws is put to rest, sanctioning them to carry full-strength beer. As a result, mom and pop liquor stores, whose beer sales are estimated at more than 30 percent of their present sales, will be feeling the punch. While there will still be “lite” versions of beer to appease those watching their waistlines, anything with the moniker of a 3.2 beer now on shelves is headed...
If you haven’t gone to a Friday Night Dinner at the Niwot Market you’re missing out on a great summer experience – Good food and great music. With the band Late for Supper playing, diners enjoyed fried chicken with all the fixings....
The 2017 Golden Hammer Award for volunteer service to the Niwot Community was presented to Kathy Koehler at the Great Pumpkin Party Oct. 28. Pat Murphy of Niwot Real Estate, who originated the award in 2009 in honor of late community volunteer Curtis Lizakowski, made the presentation to Koehler, noting that she has worked tirelessly for the community since moving to Niwot in the early 1970s. Koehler, a native of Boulder County, has been involved with the Niwot Community Association and the...
Niwot’s Independence Day festivities continue to draw in an increasing number of people. Dick Piland, Niwot Community Association President, estimated about 2,500 people attended the parade and events throughout the day. “It was a bit more crowded this year,” Piland said. “Every year it gets bigger and bigger. It was very successful this year. We have a cadre of volunteers that do a great job with this event.” Piland mentioned specifically Kathy Koehler, Julie Breyer and Kim Hawkswort...
Niwot Business Association President Tony Santelli welcomed the crowd and introduced Bert Steele of Niwot Market, which hosted the June 13 meeting. Steele expressed appreciation for the longevity of the market and thanked his management team, including his daughter Alison, whom he introduced. He is excited about the abundance of organic produce available to him from local wholesalers and invited everyone to shop in the produce department. Niwot Cultural Arts Association president Biff Warren...
Walk into Niwot Market and you’ll see artist Tom Studholme hard at work. Studholme, who created a mural in the store, has been commissioned by Bert Steele to do a painting honoring a cousin of his children, Jay Knaus. Steele said the painting has a lot of meaning for him. “It is a tribute to Jay Knaus, who passed away last year. He was a very good football player. He played for Longmont High School. He [had] many concussions as a player.” The painting, which shows Knaus catching a footb...
Niwot Market has chalked up 15 years of serving the town, and owner Bert Steele said that it has become more than just a business. “It’s been really rewarding to be in a small community,” Steele said. “It becomes more than business, it becomes friendships. It’s more than just trying to make money. “You’re doing something, being part of a small community and trying to help where you can.” The official date for the celebration is March 12, and the market has made 250 commemorative mugs to give aw...
The sun was out with temperatures near 90 degrees, and it was a wonderful setting for the annual 4th of July Parade in Niwot. In addition to the annual Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Bert Steele of Niwot Market and the Niwot Community Association (NCA), and all the wonderful decorations for the kids, bikes and dogs provided by the NCA, this year’s parade was bigger and better than ever. Pat Murphy, ever the volunteer pancake breakfast champ, said there was no final tally yet of the amount r...
Despite gray skies for much of the day, the Niwot Cleanup Day sponsored by the Niwot Community Association was a success again this year. NCA members taking advantage of the free service on May 14 filled eight dumpsters with trash and debris, four dumpsters with yard waste, one dumpster with recyclable scrap metal and three bins of electronics for recycling. In addition, the collection brought in three bins of latex paint to be properly disposed of, four bins of plastic bags, three sacks of Styrofoam, and one bin each of shoes and cloth. The “s...