Advertisement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Building Sale Forces 35 Denver-Area Businesses to Vacate Within 18 Days
LAKEWOOD, CO, Nov. 13, 2009 – The sale of a 30,000 square foot building at 9635 W.... Colfax Avenue in Lakewood will unexpectedly displace 35 independent businesses by the end of November. The move also disrupts a variety of already-scheduled community events and services.
Since February, 2009, the building has been tenanted by the Blue Sky Collective, an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, small business start-ups, instructors, wellness and service providers, and first-time entrepreneurs.
The collective is the vision of former social worker Jen Schafer-Habib, whose dream was to create an affordable place where independent businesses, co-ops, artists and musicians could come together to provide creative services, entertainment and education to the community, and support local culture and non-profits. Blue Sky Collective has been recognized by the Denver Westword as the “Best New Store on Colfax Avenue,” and was nominated for KMGH Denver’s 7 “A-List” of favorite local businesses.
On Thursday, November 12th, Schafer-Habib was notified by Colorado Community Bank that the property is changing ownership, and that she and her tenants would have 18 days to vacate the premises, or pay five times more per square foot than they are currently paying. On Friday the 13th of November, Schafer-Habib discovered that the locks had already been changed, and that building access would be limited from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, limiting classes, events, services, and the ability of tenants to move.
BUILDING SALE DISPLACES BUSINESSES (page 2)
In addition to her role the Blue Sky Collective facilitator, Schafer-Habib also runs a used bookstore on the property, and she must move approximately 100,000 books by the end of the month. “We don’t want to disrupt the sale of the building or the redevelopment of the property,” she said, “but we do need a fair amount of time to move, or this sale will shut down 35 businesses and a lot of community services. We are currently looking to partner with a property owner eager to re-tenant a location and support local arts, music, wellness and culture.”
One of approximately 50 stakeholders displaced by the building’s sale is Robin Beckwith, a 57 year-old silversmith and first-time entrepreneur. Beckwith is striving to rejoin the workforce and replace the Social Security Disability income she has lived on since 1999, following a traumatic brain injury.
“The Blue Sky Collective has given me a second chance to contribute,” Beckwith said. “It’s given me my self-respect. I don’t want to leave it, and I’m scared. If I had more time I could figure out something… but 18 days isn’t enough.”
Also affected is Todd Munson, first-time entrepreneur and proprietor of a thriving dance studio. Munson, whose wife is seven months pregnant, said, “I’ve invested thousands of dollars into creating a professional quality dance floor and studio in the building. To realize that I have 18 days to move an entire studio seems insensitive to me and everyone who patronizes the building as well.”
Those interested in supporting the collective’s future are welcome to meet at 9635 W. Colfax Avenue on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
# # #
Blue Sky Collective hosts a used bookstore, live music, open mic poetry, roll playing games, a record/vinyl store, an art co-op, a healing co-op, three dance studios, two community rooms for movement classes and art workshops, a tea and candy shop, and a community acupuncture clinic. The collective also hosts concerts, author readings, benefits for non-profits and those in need, gaming tournaments, art exhibits, jam sessions, and drum circles.
Contact: Jen Schafer-Habib
Phone: 303-238-0959
Cell: 303-909-9418
Email: jen@blueskycollective.org
Web: www.blueskycollective.org
Building Sale Forces 35 Denver-Area Businesses to Vacate Within 18 Days
LAKEWOOD, CO, Nov. 13, 2009 – The sale of a 30,000 square foot building at 9635 W.... Colfax Avenue in Lakewood will unexpectedly displace 35 independent businesses by the end of November. The move also disrupts a variety of already-scheduled community events and services.
Since February, 2009, the building has been tenanted by the Blue Sky Collective, an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, small business start-ups, instructors, wellness and service providers, and first-time entrepreneurs.
The collective is the vision of former social worker Jen Schafer-Habib, whose dream was to create an affordable place where independent businesses, co-ops, artists and musicians could come together to provide creative services, entertainment and education to the community, and support local culture and non-profits. Blue Sky Collective has been recognized by the Denver Westword as the “Best New Store on Colfax Avenue,” and was nominated for KMGH Denver’s 7 “A-List” of favorite local businesses.
On Thursday, November 12th, Schafer-Habib was notified by Colorado Community Bank that the property is changing ownership, and that she and her tenants would have 18 days to vacate the premises, or pay five times more per square foot than they are currently paying. On Friday the 13th of November, Schafer-Habib discovered that the locks had already been changed, and that building access would be limited from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, limiting classes, events, services, and the ability of tenants to move.
BUILDING SALE DISPLACES BUSINESSES (page 2)
In addition to her role the Blue Sky Collective facilitator, Schafer-Habib also runs a used bookstore on the property, and she must move approximately 100,000 books by the end of the month. “We don’t want to disrupt the sale of the building or the redevelopment of the property,” she said, “but we do need a fair amount of time to move, or this sale will shut down 35 businesses and a lot of community services. We are currently looking to partner with a property owner eager to re-tenant a location and support local arts, music, wellness and culture.”
One of approximately 50 stakeholders displaced by the building’s sale is Robin Beckwith, a 57 year-old silversmith and first-time entrepreneur. Beckwith is striving to rejoin the workforce and replace the Social Security Disability income she has lived on since 1999, following a traumatic brain injury.
“The Blue Sky Collective has given me a second chance to contribute,” Beckwith said. “It’s given me my self-respect. I don’t want to leave it, and I’m scared. If I had more time I could figure out something… but 18 days isn’t enough.”
Also affected is Todd Munson, first-time entrepreneur and proprietor of a thriving dance studio. Munson, whose wife is seven months pregnant, said, “I’ve invested thousands of dollars into creating a professional quality dance floor and studio in the building. To realize that I have 18 days to move an entire studio seems insensitive to me and everyone who patronizes the building as well.”
Those interested in supporting the collective’s future are welcome to meet at 9635 W. Colfax Avenue on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
# # #
Blue Sky Collective hosts a used bookstore, live music, open mic poetry, roll playing games, a record/vinyl store, an art co-op, a healing co-op, three dance studios, two community rooms for movement classes and art workshops, a tea and candy shop, and a community acupuncture clinic. The collective also hosts concerts, author readings, benefits for non-profits and those in need, gaming tournaments, art exhibits, jam sessions, and drum circles.
Contact: Jen Schafer-Habib
Phone: 303-238-0959
Cell: 303-909-9418
Email: jen@blueskycollective.org
Web: www.blueskycollective.org
posted by:
|
Denver
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
