In June I wrote an article about Yelp, the on line business directory, listing Boulder County restaurant inspection ratings. In that story I reported that the House of Q in Longmont received a C grade from the county. It ran on June 23.
What I didn’t know then was that the inspection had taken place as Q was just preparing to open. Its systems were not all up and running. For that I am sorry. The score is misleading.
No doubt the next time the county comes around for an inspection, the House of Q will be an A.
GoGo
Longmont Compass publisher Jon Rice is launching a new business downtown and it’s got a great name: The GoGo Loft.
“The idea is that something, it could be anything, happens on a Friday night in downtown Longmont,” Rice told me last week. “A performance, a movie screening, a comedy routine, an exhibition, anything at all. We want people to come and hang out, join in and feel welcome. Celebrate the art and culture of Longmont, just by being there.”
The GoGo Loft will also be an art gallery and event center.
It will also become a coworking space specifically designed for creative professionals. “For most of the week, we’ll have a bright, sunny, dynamic space devoted to people in the creative arts – designers, video editors, copywriters, programmers and so on,” said co-founder Connor Magyar.
Rice and Magyar plan to open the GoGo Loft on Friday, Sept. 4, at 437 Main St. above Breakaway Cycles. Stay tuned at www.gogoloft.com. Mark your calendars, Longmont.
Anti-parade?
Every few weeks I call Kimberlee McKee at the Longmont Downtown Development Authority to discuss the meaning of life and our favorite abandoned shopping malls in Ohio. Last week when we were talking she brought up some new LDDA projects that sound pretty exciting.
For starters, the LDDA, Visit Longmont, Lefthand Brewing and the St. Vrain Valley School District are putting together an anti-parade on Sept. 12. I don’t know what an anti-parade is, but it’s some sort of parade focused on innovation and creativity. I’m guessing we’ll see a robot or two. “All eight high school bands will be there,” McKee said. “We’re also looking for parade entries.”
Officially it’s called the LOCOmotion Parade, and will start at 10 a.m.
McKee said parade entrants can incorporate one (or all) of the following below:
C: Colorful (bring out your inner peacock)
R: Rad(ical) (how RAD can you be)
E: Environmental (recycle/reuse/reinvent)
A: Artistic (express to impress) *Creativity Award*
T: Tasty Crafted Treats (how interesting are your drinks & eats)
I: Innovation (brand new, what the heck is that) *Innovation Award*
V: Velocity (wings, wheels, whatever)
I: It statement (how did you own it)
T: Talent (unleash your hidden talent)
Y: Yes! (Yes, you can own it – as far as you want to take it) *Overall Award*
Call for entries – e-mail Josh at goldberg@lefthandbrewing.com. The cost to enter is $50. Prizes will be awarded.
Here’s another tidbit of info from Kimberlee – 2nd Friday is expanding. Starting Aug. 14, the monthly 2nd Friday celebration will reach down to 1st Avenue. There might even be a shuttle bus for those who don’t want to deal with that hill between 3rd and 2nd.
A few more blocks will allow more businesses to participate. Sounds like a good idea.
Broken ground
The long-awaited ground breaking for Sam’s Club at Village at the Peaks took place quietly last week. Sam’s will be located at the northeast corner of the project, just a stone’s throw from the Times-Call newsroom.
Also coming up this month is a block party at the Village.
The Village at the Peaks is inviting all of you to celebrate back-to-school for St. Vrain Valley School District students and families with a free back-to-school Block Party and Property Preview event on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We are excited to welcome the community to get an early look at the new property, celebrate the new school year and start having some fun at the new Village at the Peaks,” said Allen Ginsborg, managing director and principal, NewMark Merrill Mountain States. Oh the weather forecast for the 22nd is sunny, in the upper 80s.
On a related note, no news yet on a clothing store moving in.
PEAK 2015
This Monday, which would be tomorrow for those of you reading the paper today, a new Longmont Chamber event kicks off at the Plaza Conference Center, 1850 Industrial Circle. It’s called PEAK 2015 and it features the best in our region’s manufacturing and distributing companies. Admission is free and you can see a variety of products made right here including a live drone demonstration, St. Vrain Valley School District student projects, robots and more. In addition there will be the “Longmont 2025 Future Panel” in which city leaders will use a crystal ball to tell us all the future. Since this new event is next door to the Times-Call building, I’ll be there. It runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and remember – it’s free.
What’s on your mind? Vince Winkel: 303-684-5291, winkelv@times-call.com or twitter.com/vincewinkel
