The Lowdown - downtown businesses and King Soopers
What's happening
I asked Brigid Keating our Economic Development Director and Executive Director of the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority what’s happening with King Soopers (rumors still abound), the empty Lafayette Florist building, and any other businesses that might be coming. I’m sharing her reply below. Following that is a series of images and links to past reports I’ve written about most of these businesses as I surmise many of us don’t know specific addresses. So read on!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out. There are a lot of rumors about the Lafayette King Soopers. Kroger has said that they are working with multiple parties interested in leasing the space and are in the final stages of lease negotiations with one tenant. I hope we can share who that is soon.
As you know, TEBO Properties purchased the Lafayette Florist building earlier this summer. In the short term, they are exploring filling the space with another garden center-type tenant and also investigating redeveloping the site. The City Administrator and I have remained in close contact with them as they explore options. We'd love to see this property activated since it is such an iconic site in Old Town.
We do have some exciting projects coming online in the next couple of years in Old Town, including Kalita Grill (a new Greek restaurant at 801 S Public Road), North Public Market (a new restaurant at 210 N Public Road), Lickity Splitz (an ice cream shop at 705 S Public Road), Foxglove Bar & Hideout (a new cocktail lounge at the back of 105 S Public Road), two pocket parks at 701 S Public Road (city-owned) and 107 S Public Road (owned privately but will be open to the public), Daily Grains (a new bakery at 707 S Public Road), and lastly an optometrist bought 805 S Public Road.
Hope this helps--thanks!
Brigid Keating (She/Her)
Economic Development Director
Executive Director of the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority
City of Lafayette | Economic Development
Office 303-661-1224 |Cell 303-435-6489
Kalita Grill (a new Greek restaurant at 801 S Public Road) Most recently this was Jack’s Pet Place.
Historical tidbit: for many years this was the location of optometrist Cleve Armstrong, by all accounts, he was highly skilled and sought out. There was a big buzz in 2006 when someone he had known since he was a child stole checks from him and cashed them for $40,000. There was a police chase that ended in the desert near Palm Springs. Here’s a report from back then.
North Public Market (a new restaurant at 210 N Public Road)
This is the vacant corner lot at Baseline and N Public, it used to be a gas station.
Lickity Splitz (an ice cream shop at 705 S Public Road)
My reports on the entire 700 block part one and part two
Foxglove Bar & Hideout (a new cocktail lounge at the back of 105 S Public Road) This is the plan by the owners of Vintrey for their building and the adjacent open lot.
Pocket park at 107 S Public Road (owned privately but will be open to the public)
This is part of the Foxglove Bar and Hideout project
Pocket park at 701 S Public Road (city-owned)
Daily Grains (a new bakery at 707 S Public Road)
Current building at this location
Plans for the bakery building
An optometrist bought 805 S Public Road.
This was the VCA Animal Hospital location ( an old image I found on the internet)
Want to offer more support? Awesome!
So happy the small buildings will have businesses. Have been hoping for a local bakery. I know there is a bakery in the church building. I am not a fan. Glad the houses business will have a facelift. Thanks as always!
This is super interesting! Thank you for sharing. I've visited the Kalita Grill in Boulder several times - it's delicious and family-owned. I do wonder how it will impact Pita Grill, another good spot.