Shopping, Dining Options Follow Population Surge
Published Apr 17, 2007
A fountain, large pool and illuminated columns enhance the Westminster Promenade, which features shopping, dining and entertainment.
It takes 20 minutes or less to cruise between the Metro North Region’s primary shopping and dining destinations, but even the most energetic person would need days to tour them all.
A whirlwind sampling might include a makeup consultation at Sephora at FlatIron Crossing, a matinee at the new 12-plex at Brighton Pavilions, arcade games at Dave & Busters at the Westminster Promenade and a shop-a-thon at the Sears Grand in Larkridge.
Most residents, of course, spend their dollars at shops and eateries as close to home as possible. It’s no wonder, then, that the region’s strong population growth is driving so many retailers to Denver’s northern suburbs. New pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining magnets are among the most highly sought addresses.
“Sales are definitely trending up,” says Heather Drake, senior marketing manager for FlatIron Crossing, a four-anchor mall in Broomfield with more than 200 stores and an outdoor village. “The best sign is, the retailers want to be here.”
The 1.5 million-square-foot retail center has dominated the U.S. 36 corridor since its 2000 debut. It stays fresh, Drake says, by adding new names including Sephora, Apple Computer and Chico’s. The Village at FlatIron Crossing continues to attract patrons with its mix of restaurants, outdoor seating areas and a 14-screen AMC theater complex.
“We are in a position now to be the most strategic we can with our space and our real estate,” Drake says.
The strategy for Larkridge, a regional retail center in Thornton, started long before it opened in 2005 with stores including The Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods and the state’s first Sears Grand.
Located on 240 acres at Interstate 25 and Colorado 7 less than a mile north of E-470, Larkridge will reach about 750,000 square feet of stores, shops and restaurants when Costco opens by early 2007, with a potential for two million square feet, including office space, says Robert Smith, Thornton business development director.
“We’re cultivating a very solid market,” Smith says, “and the city of Thornton wanted to be at the lead of that charge.”
Likewise, Brighton Pavilions, a 15-acre development in Brighton at U.S. 85 and Bridge Street, is a gathering place for residents seeking entertainment and dining options. Opened in 2005, it features a 12-screen Colorado Cinemas, Salon Silverado, and restaurants including Qdoba Mexican Grill, American Samurai Grill & Sushi and a drive-through Starbucks.
“It’s become a major hit among the younger crowd,” says Manuel Esquibel, Brighton assistant city manager.
When the Westminster Promenade opened in 1999 at U.S. 36 and 104th Avenue, it provided a nexus of entertainment options adjacent to one of Colorado’s largest retail concentrations.
The development offers an AMC 24-screen theater, three-rink Ice Centre, Splitz bowling venue, MaDcap Theater and The Westin Westminster hotel.
In 2008, says Tim O’Byrne, president and chief executive officer of Westminster Promenade Development Co., the site will gain more shops as part of an upscale condominium development that includes the Rocky Mountain Chopra Center & Spa.
Westminster’s other shopping destinations, including the Westminster Mall and neighboring retail centers, offer dozens of stores ranging from Babies “R” Us to Wild Oats, all mixed in with about 80 eateries.
In October 2006, Westminster added The Orchard Town Center to its roster with the openings of J.C. Penney and SuperTarget. The remainder of the 1 million-square-foot development at I-25 and 144th Avenue is scheduled to open in late 2007, including a new Macy’s.
“The Orchard Town Center is a complete, master-planned, mixed-use community that will include 500 housing units and office space in addition to retail,” says John Tindall, vice president for developer Forest City Enterprises. “The prairie-style design of the center, with its rich mix of materials, will set it apart.”
Story by Stacey Hartmann
Photo by Antony Boshier
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