In the 1950s, Stanley Aviation, formerly based out of east Denver between Stapleton and Aurora, made its name by engineering and manufacturing airplane ejector seats. Over 60 years later, the 22-acre, 100,000-square-foot complex that once housed this titan of innovation aims to become the community’s new centerpiece. Inspired by urban marketplaces around the country, the new Stanley Marketplace will be home to a spacious community park, event venue, offices, shopping, recreational spaces and of course, dining options.

The new marketplace will feature second and third locations of some of Denver’s most beloved restaurants. Did your favorite spots make the list? Read on to see what made the cut and get everything you need to know about the restaurants joining Stanley next year. 

 

Stanley Beer Hall

Rendering of Stanley Marketplace.

Rendering of Stanley Marketplace.

The Low Down: Denver restaurateur, Kevin Taylor and his lengthy list of successful restaurants including places like Palettes at the Denver Art Museum, Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House and Limelight Supper Club & Lounge (to name a few)have always appealed most to the those with “a sophisticated palette, as well as a love for the arts.” Now, with an all new restaurant and beer hall concept that will soon join the Stanley bunch, he’s switching things up and going for the more casual palette.

While the cuisine will feature a much more laid-back and approachable feel, the menu will still continue to showcase the high-quality ingredients for which Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group is known. These dishes, while reasonably priced, will be made from sustainably and locally-sourced produce for beer hall goers to enjoy with any of the restaurant’s craft beer, local wines and spirits. 

And that’s not all. This new spot, playing off the industrial atmosphere and architecture of the former Stanley Aviation building, will take over the southwest corner boasting beautiful mountain and park views. Cheers to that!

 

Goodbird Kitchen

Goodbird chicken. Photo courtesy of Goodbird.

Goodbird chicken. Photo courtesy of Goodbird.

Low Down: Chef and owner of the Big Red F Restaurant Group, Dave Query, has announced that their second GoodBird Kitchen will open this spring at the new Stanley Aviation Marketplace in Stapleton. Offering its famous fried and rotisserie birds, local farm fresh sides, homemade pies, award-winning Post Brewing Co. beers, and chicken-friendly wines and classic cocktails, this new, fast-casual spot has quite the spread. Did we mention its fried chicken, crafted by chef/partner Brett Smith, just so happens to be gluten-free? Get in line, Coloradans…

GoodBird will make diners feel right at home with its “Colorado mountain-meets-Michigan roadhouse feel.” Guests will even have the option to order from walk-up to-go windows and take buckets of chicken and big family meals to go. Prices will start at $7 and top out at $14 for platters.

“We are trying to create a simple, easy to use, value-driven chicken concept,” said Query. “We like cooking bird the same way we like cooking and working with fresh seafood at Jax. The biscuits, the award winning pies, the field driven side dishes that we feature by the dozen each night.”

 

Rosenberg’s Bagels

Rosenberg's Bagels. All photography by Kiddest Metaferia

Rosenberg’s Bagels. Photography by Kiddest Metaferia

The Low Down: Similar to its first shop in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, the new Rosenberg’s will offer New York-style bagels, specialty fish, sandwiches and coffee, as well as pretzels, bagel balls, pastries and breads. Not to mention, vegetarian and children’s menu options will also be available.

As stated by the New York Times, “Former Jersey Boy, Joshua Pollack has taken the quest for a decent New York-style bagel west of the Mississippi to heroic heights.” Rosenberg’s bagels are prepared hot and fresh daily using traditional New York City methods paired with local and natural ingredients and specially replicated New York City water.

Guests can enjoy their bagels plain or choose from any of its spreads or flavored cream cheese, including scallion, veggie or hatch chile to lox, caviar, and even tofu. For those of you looking to make friends at work, go with a office pack for just $21.50. Of course, if a big, well-rounded meal is your thing, upgrade your bagel to a breakfast or deli sandwich, or if you’re feeling daring, try one of Rosenberg’s gourmet smoked fish — pickled herring, anyone?

Rosenberg’s visitors will also enjoy dedicated parking at Stanley for grab-and-go orders, and a drive-thru option may also be available.

Comida

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Comida at The Source. Photos by Roman Tafoya.

 Low Down: It started off as food truck, and the rest was history. Comida will now open its third cantina at Stanley. Featuring an outdoor patio that will overlook Westerly Creek and the development’s large green space, this popular street-food-inspired restaurant will also feature the same crafted cocktails, antojitos (aka street snacks), $4 tacos, tortas (sandwiches), tostadas, gorditas, and more at its new location.

Owner and creator, Rayme Rossello, said Comida is “neither fast casual dining or fussy dining.” Rather, he elaborated that its a “unique experience that’s driven by a friendly, professional service staff in an easygoing manner. The produce and proteins that make up the final product that lands in our guests’ hands come mostly from friends who focus on sustainable quality growing practices.”

Rossello believes Stanley is the perfect place to expand: “I am really proud of my first two locations; they are part of communities that stretch people’s ideas of how dining and living can be experienced,” he said. “They both thrive because of the energy and creativity that surround them; [and] the same feels true for the Stanley.”

Sazza

Sazza pizza. Photo courtesy of Sazza.

Sazza pizza. Photo courtesy of Sazza.

The Sazza Low Down: Next on the exciting Stanley lineup: Sazza Pizza + Salads. This pizzeria will bring not only its second restaurant location to the Marketplace, but also its second educational urban farm.

Co-owner Jeff Rogoff, who makes up one half of the husband-wife team behind Sazza, explained that, “The farm will be an incredible resource for [both the restaurant] and the surrounding community. We plan to host food events and educational events… This is our way of giving back to the community.”

Its menu is comprised of all-natural, certified organic ingredients, sourced from local farmers when in season, and even has gluten-free pizza options too. In addition, known for its eco-friendly practices, Sazza will launch a composting program for all the Stanley tenants. “We’ve always lived our lives as sustainably as possible,” said Rogoff. “Simply, we want to try and leave this planet in better shape for our children; this is our inspiration.”

Sweet Cow

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Sweet Cow MooMobile. Photo by Kiddest Metaferia.

The Low Down: The beloved “scoop shop” will bring its handcrafted, small batch ice cream to Stapleton early next year. Modeled after its other locations in Louisville, Denver, and Boulder, this new location will also feature a 1,200-square-foot outdoor grass patio to enjoy any of its nine staple flavors. These include vanilla, dutch chocolate, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, cookies and cream, Ozo Coffee, chocolate chip cookie dough and oatmeal cookie, in addition to two sorbets and 11 other rotating flavors that just so happen to be made daily with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Like its fellow restaurant tenant, Sazza, Sweet Cow believes in being green and sustainable as it uses only compostable and recyclable products. “We’re most looking forward to being close to the residents of Stapleton, and all the families living there, as we’ve been seeking a spot in the neighborhood for some time,” said Sweet Cow Partner, Drew Honness.

Denver Biscuit Co.

Denver Biscuit Company sandwich. Photo courtesy of Denver Biscuit Company.

Denver Biscuit Company sandwich. Photo courtesy of Denver Biscuit Company.

The Low Down: From a mobile Biscuit Bus that’s already established its name at the Stapleton Farmer’s Market, to its brick-and-mortar store, Denver Biscuit Co. is proud to announce themselves as the final restaurant within the Stanley Marketplace.

Like its other locations connected to sister restaurants Fat Sully’s and The Atomic Cowboy, the new shop will serve its Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives-featured gourmet sandwiches and biscuit entrees for breakfast and lunch, as well as beer and craft cocktails, in its own casual, full-service environment.

Back in 2009, Drew Shader, owner of Denver Biscuit Company, knew that the city of Denver needed  “big, buttery, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits,” and just a few years later, this concept has come a long way, blossoming into Denver’s best breakfast and now Stanley’s latest. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that we feel so honored to be a part of,” said Shader. “We just couldn’t pass up a project with this many talented and passionate people working together in one space.”

Happy Bakeshop

Cherry coke cupcakes at Happy Cakes. Photo by Jackie Collins.

Happy Bakeshop cupcakes. Photo by Jackie Collins

Words by Brittany Werges

The Low Down: Happy Bakeshop, known for its made-from-scratch baked goods, will open its newest location in the Stanley Marketplace. The bakeshop will be situated in a small 500-square-foot spot located on the main floor in the common marketplace, according to Zagat Denver. Happy also offers a variety of gluten-free and vegan options and will likely be a good choice for those with dietary restrictions looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Logan House Coffee Company553193_492433914152608_347624002_n

Words by Brittany Werges

The Low Down: Named after Owner Andre Janusz’s former home, Logan House Coffee Company will offer organically grown and fairly traded coffee at Stanley. Like many of its fellow tenants, this shop believes in green practices and demonstrates its dedication to sustainability by offering its coffee not in bags, but recycled wine bottles. Also instead of delivering its fresh roasts via truck or car, each order is hand delivered by bike. But instead of only being able to place an order, you can come to Stanley and experience its first brick-and-mortar location. And as an added bonus, there will also be a wine bar constructed out of the same up-cycled bottles used to store its coffee, according to Zagat Denver. So whether you’re a wine or coffee lover, you can have a fill of either at Stanley.

 

[Update August 31 at 4 p.m.: The list was amended to include Happy Caked and Logan CoffeeHouse Company]