Owners of University Groundz Coffee House aim to see there’s plenty of caffeine flowing on the south side of campus. And pastry popping. And tea steeping. So they’re opening a new shop Feb. 22 in a former computer store south of Wesley Avenue and offering true brew to the crimson and gold.
Their idea is for University Groundz to be an upbeat, student-friendly coffee, tea and pastry emporium in the 800-square-foot end unit of a fourplex at 2423 S. University Blvd.
The shop promises Novo Coffee of Denver, free WiFi access, wireless printing, and an outdoor patio for spring.
Proprietors Angelina and Tony Solano say University Groundz is proof of how important timing can be. For years they sought a good location to open a coffee shop. Then, in November 2009, they were laid off from their technician jobs at Qwest. Several weeks later, they spied a “For Lease” sign in the window of the former PC Express store on South University Boulevard. They screeched to a halt, peered in the window, contacted the owner and worked out a deal.
“It gave us a chance to do what we’ve always wanted to do,” Angelina Solano says.
Subsequently, the couple was joined by David Solano, Angelina’s father, who recently retired from Qwest. Now the three have teamed up to inject warmth and character into the 1955-vintage single-story brick building.
Hours are still in flux, but initially they will be 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 9 a.m.– 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Heroic venture
Fat Tuesday marked the opening day for Deli Zone, a New York-style sandwich chain whose 13th store is at 2439 S. University Blvd. The opening was delayed over the President’s Day weekend by inspection issues. But when those were completed and the doors finally swung open Feb. 16, the shop served nine sandwiches in the first hour, says proprietor Trey Cronin.
Deli Zone is just south of Wesley Avenue on the west side of University Boulevard. For information, call 303-927-6304 or visit www.loc8nearme.com/colorado/boulder/deli-zone/3337691.
Pancakes for the northernly challenged
Snoooze, the chic breakfast experience operated by DU alums Jon Schlegel (BSBA ’97) and Adam Schlegel (BSBA ’99), with managerial savvy by Brianna Borin (BSBA ’09), will get a third store in Fort Collins.
The new Snooze will be at 144 Mountain Ave., in Fort Collins’ Old Town. The flagship eatery is at 2262 Larimer St. in Denver. A second store opened last July at 700 Colorado Blvd., also in Denver. For information, visitwww.snoozeeatery.com.
Reserve List to become The Empty Bottle
The Reserve List wine store at 1886 S. Pearl St. is down, but not out. Former store manager Theresa Scamperino and business partner Christine Cooper hope to reopen the business, which shut its doors Feb. 4. The new wine store will be called The Empty Bottle.
On Feb. 12, Scamperino and Cooper completed a purchase agreement with previous owners that is dependent on successful transfer of the liquor license. A temporary license could be issued as soon as next week.
The Empty Bottle partners intend the neighborhood wine store next to the popular Park Burger at South Pearl Street and Jewell Avenue to provide “eclectic, fun, good-value wines.”
For information, call 303-722-5478.