All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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REVENUE Revenues from the 1% sales tax in the Niwot Local Improvement District is down 8.8% compared to a year ago through July, but the percentage of decrease actually dropped a full percentage point, from 9.8%, since June. LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that retail sales are down 7.4%, while accommodations and food are up 6.7% year-to-date compared to 2023. The largest percentage decrease is in a category of "Other and Wholesale," which is down 35% year-to-date. Four funding requests were...
Ok. You know how they say color influences your mood? Stores are decorated in colors that apparently make you want to buy. Casinos are decorated to make you gamble. School walls are a color that is supposed to help concentration. You catch my drift. So, when it comes to decorating your house, you have to think about your goals. Serenity? Cozy? Creative? A friend of mine who recently moved to Niwot told me she is struggling to decorate her home. No kidding! It's difficult and fraught with...
Those who frequent 2nd Avenue's coffee shop, The Old Oak Coffeehouse, as well as those who regularly attend any community events, have probably noticed some friendly and regular faces behind the counter. This week's Familiar Face is one such barista, Noah Smith, who has been a friendly face at The Old Oak since March of 2022. Smith started the job when he was on a walk downtown and saw a "help wanted" sign in the window. He went in, inquired about the position, submitted his resume, interviewed,...
The second concert in the 2024 House Blend Band Summer Concert Series in front of The Old Oak Coffeehouse at 136 2nd Avenue in Niwot is set for this Saturday, June 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. This concert will feature songs by Chicago, Elton John, and multiple Motown jams, along with other hits from the 60s to the 2000s. The free event will close 2nd Avenue from Murray Street to Franklin Street that evening. It is recommended to bring your own chairs as seating is limited. Spaghetti and meatballs made...
Niwot's fourth annual Around the World Day and the Niwot community's demeanor were not dampened due to a little rain. While the turnout was limited at Around the World Day, spirits were high as Niwot, like EPCOT in Orlando, engaged in cultural activities, food, beverage, and music. WiNot Coffee showcased Colombia with authentic Colombian coffee, pastries, and decorations. Inkberry Books brought China to Niwot with two types of tea, fortune cookies, decorations, and music. Niwot Market, with a...
Saturday Feb. 24 marked the Niwot Cultural Arts Association's annual Let's Wine About Winter Event across both Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square. However, it wasn't very wintery at 60 degrees, but it was windy. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day to be outdoors to sample wine and culinary delights as well as support local businesses. Twenty-six businesses participated this year across the two primary hubs of Niwot's shopping district. Approximately 500 tickets were sold this year according...
Editor’s Note: The letter below was sent to the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms by U.S. troops deployed overseas, and shared with the Courier. Good morning Niwot Cookie Momsters! A giant C-17 cargo aircraft delivered both of your boxes full of valentines cookies and treats yesterday evening (yes, they made it to the middle of the Desert!). The Christmas boxes were a giant morale booster for us, so seeing the Valentine's boxes caused a big cheer from the team! The little connection to home makes a huge difference for us. We have Colorado G...
The House Blend Band is back for a fourth summer of concerts on Second Avenue. The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) approved funding for the popular concerts, now known as 2nd Avenue Concert Series, based on an application from the Niwot Business Association, presented by Michael Tomich and Patty Machen of The Old Oak Coffeehouse. Tomich explained that there would be five concerts this summer beginning May 18, an increase of one over last year. The headliner for the...
Second Avenue has one of the oldest concentrations of independent small businesses in Niwot but it's also known as a place with a long history of female entrepreneurship. That history continues to the current day. "When we started there were a lot of women-owned businesses in town, and there still are," said Jan Kahl who owns Niwot Jewelry & Gifts with her son, Jason Scarbrough. Angie Miltersen, who owns Few of a Kind Vintage + Mercantile, sought out Niwot as a place to run her first business...
Although Pawxatawney Phil has determined spring is right around the corner, based on last weekend's storm, winter seems determined to hang around. One upcoming event might offer some relief: Let's Wine About Winter in Niwot. Sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, the annual Let's Wine About Winter event is planned for Saturday, Feb. 24 to welcome community members in from the cold with wine, art, food and hospitality. Kristin Alger, who is co-chair of the event with Anne Postle,...
With roots dating to 1875, Old Town Niwot, the area on 2nd Avenue between Niwot Road and Murray Street, has always been a mixture of the familiar and the new and is widely considered to be the historic heart of town. John Nelson, a local carpenter, is credited with building the first commercial structure on Second Avenue in 1905. Most of the remaining shops in the first block were completed by 1915 and include the home of the oldest operating Grange in Colorado. These buildings comprise the...
Voting is open for the 2023 Window Decorating Competition sponsored by the Niwot Business Association. Many participating Niwot businesses have decorated their windows for the holidays, adding to a festive holiday shopping experience. You can vote for your favorite festive window online through this form, or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zib9XbYN5L1gWzCQaPrLUbUGNHzYWPe1vNUFzB-rulA/viewform?edit_requested=true. Turn in your ballot online for a chance to win a prize. Participating businesses include: •2nd Nature Hair Lounge •Belle Ter...
Michael Tomich and Patty Machen have owned The Old Oak Coffeehouse since 2017. In 2019, they also formed The House Blend Band. The original three-piece band started small, performing inside the coffee house. But soon, they had to move outside to perform because there was not enough room inside for the band and the audience. The band would eventually grow to the current eight members, and often features additional cameo appearances by Old Oak Coffeehouse staff members. The House Blend Band...
Saturday Sept. 23 brought the return of Niwot's annual "Out & About," a day to celebrate the small businesses of Niwot. Sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA), this annual event brings out tents and stands featuring Niwot businesses and live music along Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square. Out & About was started last year as a way to showcase the various goods and gifts from businesses in Niwot, and to bring support and awareness for Niwot's charming business community....
The House Blend Band and the Niwot Gig will team up for their last concert for the season on 2nd Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. outside of The Old Oak Coffeehouse. Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, co-owners of the coffee shop, and founding members of the band, are bringing young musicians from the Niwot Gig to perform an opening set. Martin Marks, owner of the Niwot Gig, will be on hand to assist the younger set. The Old Oak Coffeehouse will be serving its signature spaghetti...
The Niwot community turned out to honor the life and memory of Bert Steele Saturday, Aug. 26, in Cottonwood Square shopping center. What was originally planned to be a "thank you" to the Niwot community for supporting local retail businesses, and helping the merchants survive the pandemic shutdown, morphed into a tribute to the late Bert Steele, who brought The Niwot Market to life over 20 years ago. Stacy Szydiek, co-owner of The Niwot Tavern, spearheaded the effort to put the afternoon and eve...
At the start of Niwot's Flower Fest last Saturday, Aug. 5, a huge line trailed outside Fly Away Home Decor, going all the way to the gas station in Cottonwood Square at the end of the block. Some people arrived an hour before 10 a.m., the official start of the Flower Fest, in order to receive one of the free 75 baskets for the Flower Walk. "There were around two hundred people. We had to turn people away." said Sarah Cioni, owner of Belle Terre Floral, a florist shop specializing in bridal...
Grab your leashes and your best (four-legged) friend for the inaugural Pampered Pooch event in Niwot on Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local businesses and fellow dog-lovers will have give-aways and canine-themed fun for your pet, including Good Boy Dog Beer, snuffle balls, pet food samples, pup-acinos, dog pool cooling area, stylish bandanas, Barkuterie! (Charcuterie for dogs) and other dog-friendly pooch-tivities and swag. You can pick up a map from one of Niwot's local businesses to follow the trail to pup fun and prizes. Four-foot...
Each month brings a fresh round of paintings to Winot Coffee Company and The Old Oak Coffeehouse in Niwot. March was no exception. Both venues have showcased area artists on their walls for the month, with the work of each artist available for sale. Winot featured Megan Gael McCarthy, a member of the Longmont Artists' Guild, Boulder Art Association, and Art Students League of Denver. McCarthy's work recreates emotion of a time and place. It also focuses on paint textures and the physical...
Blue skies and a warm early spring day set the stage last Saturday for Lucky Niwot Day festivities held on 2nd Avenue and at Cottonwood Square. As part of the event, families and groups of friends dressed in green walked between stations and into shops, filled tables at restaurant patios and made lines at coffee shops. Street musicians performed at stations along the street and Irish dancers performed in front of Inkberry Books. Individual retailers gave away a range of delicious food fit for...
The current state of health in the United States looks dire. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) statistics state, "Six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease... Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of healthcare costs." In addition, the average lifespan of Americans is declining. In 2022, The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported the life expectancy at birth at its lowes...
Anyone looking to view beautiful nature artwork should be sure to visit The Old Oak Coffeehouse and Winot Coffee Company. Although there are only a few days left in the month, you will not want to miss the January art exhibits on display. The Old Oak Coffee House features work by its baker, Natalie Brey, whose paintings of sunflowers, mountains and other natural views are elegant and beautiful. Created using oil and cold wax on canvas as well as other mediums, the work on display includes a...
It's not too late to vote for your favorite Niwot holiday window. The annual window decorating contest deadline has been extended to Sunday, Dec. 11, to make sure everybody has time to admire all of the holiday-themed decor. If you haven't voted yet, just stop by one of the participating businesses and pick up your ballot. Make your way around town to see all the entries and have your ballot stamped by at least six businesses, then pick your favorite. Turn your ballot in to any of the...
Niwot is filled with art for the holidays. This past Saturday, Open Studios Pop! Gallery at the former Niwot Rental and Feed store on 2nd Avenue was open to the public in a holiday showing. The space showcased between 20 and 30 artists in a variety of mediums, and artists with work on display are available, in turns, to speak to gallery visitors. Megan Morgan and Terri Ficken were two of the artists available for the weekend shift. Morgan showcased her work as a variety of subjects portrayed on...
Let the Holiday Fun Begin! Niwot’s Holiday Magic Celebration is kicking off with the 22nd Annual Enchanted Evening, followed by the coveted Holiday Parade, Small Business Saturday and two weekends of Holiday Markets and events around town. The details: Enchanted Evening It all began over 20 years ago when the town gathered around the evening following Thanksgiving to light the holiday tree and support our local shops by jump starting the holiday buying. Sarah Cioni, one of the originators of the event, says this year is no different. The tree l...
This year, The Courier asked local residents and visitors to share what they are thankful for. Below are their responses; each of them notable in their own way. Equally wonderful was the process of gathering responses. Most of the research occurred in the town's coffee shops and at first, getting responses was slow and awkward. But the tipping point was when some customers overheard others answering and asked to join the conversation. Ultimately, responses and ensuing conversation were full of...
November has brought new art to Winot Coffee Company in Cottonwood Square and The Old Oak Coffeehouse on 2nd Avenue. Winot Coffee Company is featuring art from Jacque Michelle, a local artist and art educator who specializes in colorful, expressive acrylic-based work. Her pieces typically depict lush landscapes and bright, floral arrangements, and she teaches her technique to others from her Boulder studio. She also takes students on trips to Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico, and this...
The House Blend Band, created by Old Oak Coffeehouse owners Michael Tomich and his wife, Patty Machen, closed out the summer concert season on a beautiful summer night in downtown Niwot with another stellar performance featuring family members, guest artists, and the baristas who work at Old Oak. A crowd of several hundred people, young and old, brought lawn chairs and enjoyed the music, together with the spaghetti house special from Old Oak on a warm evening, where the threat of rain resulted...
The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band was on hand to provide a musical backdrop to the 2022 Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show awards ceremony Sept. 2 in front of Osmosis Art & Architecture. The art contest, now in its 11th year, featured 36 entries in the Niwot Cultural Arts Association's annual contest featuring art about Niwot. The 24-member band directed by Debbie Benson, which is also sponsored by the NCAA and Left Hand Grange No. 9, added a bit of color to the evening with...
Why Not Niwot? - The annual juried art show featuring art with a Niwot theme will host an artist's reception for the first time this year. The event, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Osmosis Gallery, will culminate with an awards ceremony during September's First Friday Art Walk, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. at Osmosis Gallery, 290 Second Avenue in Niwot. The evening will begin with music by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band on the patio next to Niwot Jewelry & Gifts,...
Saturday night in Niwot was special as the first block of 2nd Avenue was closed off for another concert by the House Blend Band, with Old Oak Coffee House owners Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, family and staff performing. Saturday night's concert featured two singers who also work at The Old Oak Coffee House, Page and Noah Smith. Smith performed Elton John's Rocket Man, reaching the high notes with ease. Ever present David Mitchell was on-hand supporting the band with his magical woodwind...
With comfortable temperatures and no threat of rain, Saturday evening June 18, 2022, was a perfect night for the second installment of Niwot's own House Blend Band. A large crowd gathered outside of The Old Oak Coffee House on a closed 2nd Avenue to enjoy the concert. The band was created in 2019 by Old Oak owners Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, and has continued to grow over time. Originally a three-piece band with Tomich, Machen and Tomich's daughter Paris Tomich, the band now consists of...
Back by popular demand, the House Blend Band will start its 2022 concert series after Around the World Day in Niwot on Saturday, May 14. The eight-piece band, consisting of Old Oak Coffee House owners Michael Tomich (lead singer, keyboard, guitar) and Patty Machen (viola, mandolin and percussion), Michael's daughter, Paris Tomich (Lead vocals and percussion), and local Niwot/Boulder/Longmont residents Andrew Bunin (bass guitar, backing vocalist), John Lawrence (Drummer), Eric Ottem (trumpet, har...
Following the huge success of last year's inaugural Around the World Day, the event will return for a second year on May 14th. The day was created based on an idea from Fly Away Home store owner Kathy Trauner during COVID when everyone was missing traveling abroad. She was inspired by the idea of brining international experiences to Niwot when travel away from other countries to Niwot was restricted. All businesses in downtown Niwot on 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square are invited to "dress up...
As of Feb. 18, Boulder County Public Health's two public health orders requiring masks in public indoor spaces expired. For the first time in months, no one was forced to wear face coverings inside, although they could if they wanted to. Some do. A careful eye in retail spaces around town indicates this. Many customers waiting in line for coffee in Cottonwood Square's Winot Coffee Company one morning were maskless on one recent morning. At one point, a single masked individual came in. "I'm...
When the Marshall Fire devastated the communities of Louisville and Superior, Niwot community members were eager to help. In the immediate days after the tragedy, many went above and beyond. For others still wanting to do something positive, there are ongoing opportunities to make a difference. Below is an overview of what's been done already and what opportunities to help are still available. Local businesses offered housing and food Shelter was one of the most immediate needs for residents in...
On the gusty morning of Thursday, Dec. 30, Niwot realtor Deborah Read Fowler and her family were on US Highway 36 headed to Breckenridge when they noticed something alarming: a plume of dark smoke rising on the outskirts of Boulder. As they drove on, the scene quickly escalated from alarming to frightening as it became clear that the wind-driven fire was out of control and headed east. For the rest of the drive, she and her husband stayed tuned to radio reports, which only confirmed their worst...
Over the years, Boulder County residents have been quick to come to the aid of neighbors during times of disaster, and the aftermath of the Dec. 30 Marshall Fire is no exception. As of Jan. 5, more than $25 million has been raised to assist survivors of the wildfires that destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in Louisville and Superior through the Community Foundation Boulder County's Wildfire Fund, Colorado Gives, and individual drives on GoFundMe. In addition, several other...
We're in the home stretch of the holiday shopping season, and for those of you with a few names left to check off your gift list, be sure to consider one of the dozens of unique items from the artists, growers and crafters that call Niwot and Gunbarrel home. Gas up and grab a gift When you fill 'er up at the Niwot Conoco in the Cottonwood Shopping Center, don't just drive off - go inside where you'll find a treasure trove of charming gifts for your loved ones. You'll be stunned by the corner of...
When it's time to purchase holiday gifts this year, you can always pull out your keyboard and order gifts from Amazon or purchase something from a chain retailer at the mall. But local stores here have a lot to offer. When you buy from area retailers you'll find gifts you can't get anywhere else in the world, and the money you spend stays in the community, something that's needed by many as they recover from the lingering impacts of the pandemic. Local food restaurants and purveyors Niwot and...
Children can bring home an enormous amount of candy after trick or treating on Halloween. Not only can it be more of a load than they can carry easily -- that much candy isn't healthy. Now anyone who is looking to save calories and keep that candy from hanging around for weeks, has an option for putting it to use. Operation Gratitude is Niwot's Halloween Candy give-back program. Extra candy can be dropped off between November 1st and November 6th at the DRF Realtors Office behind the Old Oak Cof...
The first Niwot Honey Bee Harvest Festival will take flight on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring hives of fun activity around town. Look for flyers posted with the schedule of the day's activities. Niwot Business Association vice-president Deb Fowler and Niwot resident Victoria Keen have been very "beesy" organizing the festival since early 2021. Honey bees are not native to the United States and were brought over by the pilgrims, but they have long been a part of the Niwot area....
When the Center for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed the mask wearing mandate for fully vaccinated individuals, it caught many people off guard. Nonetheless, state and local authorities, including Colorado and Boulder County health officials, followed suit. As of May 16, Boulder County moved to "level clear" status on the simplified COVID-19 public safety dial. This meant that based on public health order 2021-04, businesses would be able to operate for a 90-day period with no pandemic-rel...
Nancy Pitz, (left) Niwot Elementary School, happily accepts coffees for the teachers that Pat Murphy of Niwot Real Estate brought to the school May 6. Old Oak Coffeehouse and wiNot Coffee made the treats that Murphy brought to the school to show the teachers appreciation for all their hard work, which has been exceptionally challenging during Covid....
One of last year's favorite Niwot downtown events, the Sidewalk Sale on 2nd Avenue and at Cottonwood Square, is set to return. "We've got a better idea of what people like, what goes, what doesn't. It's starting to get a bit of a following and people are actually asking about it now," said the event's creator, Deborah Fowler of DRF Realty/Colorado Landmark Realtors. The Sidewalk Sale is not only coming back, but it is also getting bigger and better. Instead of three dates, there will be six:...
Mild spring weather, friendly faces, and Irish themed-fun made for a perfectly charming afternoon at Lucky Niwot Day on Saturday, March 20. "I was so glad we changed the day," organizer Deborah Read Fowler said of the first-time celebration, which was postponed from March 13 due to the snow storm. "The weather was perfect and it was wonderful to see so many people having socially distanced fun." The town's salute to St. Patrick's day featured festivities for the whole family, and then some....
Savory pies, whiskey barrel roasted coffee on nitro, and New Zealand-style ice cream are just some of the items customers can enjoy when Tip Top Savory Pies of Lafayette opens a second location in Gunbarrel this spring. The 4,000 square-foot location will open doors in late April or early in May in the Gunpark Drive development close to King Soopers and next to Anytime Fitness. It will include plenty of on-site, indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy menu options. It will also have a...
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...
