Less than a week after the Eastbridge Soopers opened its doors, another big announcement was made. Sprout’s Farmer’s Market is planning on opening a 30,000 square foot space in the 3500 block of Central Park Blvd. as part of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD). The plan is to open as soon as the fall of 2018. Stapleton residents were overjoyed at the announcement, many of whom took to the streets in the North Central Park Neighborhood to celebrate. “What a great day for our community,” said resident Eric Dunn. “We have been asking for this for so long, and Forest City had continually told us it couldn’t be done. This is just incredible.” A tearful Mariel Taylor exclaimed, “an organic grocer is coming here! An organic grocer is coming here. This is amazing!” The announcement came on the heels of the opening of the Eastbridge Soopers and at least for a moment, shifted excitement and momentum away from the store opening. “I’m glad there is an Eastbridge store which is supposed to be better,” said Laura Victoria. “But we’re talking about a Sprouts. This is a much bigger deal comparatively.” Even Soopers spokesperson Kaela Gordon was annoyed by the timing of the announcement. “We hadn’t even been open for two weeks,” said Gordon. “But Sprouts and Forest City thought this was good timing? It’s like standing up to tell your friends and family you are engaged and then a minute later your younger, better looking, and more well liked sister stands up and makes the same announcement. People quickly forget about what you just said.” Regardless of how the Soopers folks feel, Stapleton residents look forward to the Sprout’s opening. “Stapleton has seen so many great things,” said Angie Gray. “Train openings, The Stanley, new schools…and now to finally get a natural grocer. It’s really great for the community.” 

The anticipation for the new Soopers has been overwhelming since its announcement. Residents have been clamoring for a grocery store that more fits their needs, even if the brand name is the same. When the new Soopers opened less than a month ago, Stapleton residents from all over flocked to the new store to check it out. “We were so excited,” said resident Angela Brody. “I took the kids there the day it opened. The place was packed. Just a lot going on and a lot to see.” Many residents waited in line to be one of the first to see the historic moment as if it was a new ride at Disneyland. “It was really something,” said Michelle Davis. “I mean, it just felt totally different. It was more of an experience than a grocery store. We took lots of pictures. I will never forget that day.”

[Read more…] about Excited Resident Forgets to Put Car in Park at New Soopers

North Central Park Resident Shane Hill and his wife occasionally get out of the house without their kids. Last Friday evening was one of those times when the two of them attended the Avett Brothers concert at Red Rocks. “We had a great time,” said Hill. “Great concert, and we went with some friends. Always great to get out of the house.” As usual, the couple needed to find a sitter for their seven and five year olds. “We found a sitter we haven’t used that much, but knew it would be totally fine,” said Hill. “And, she did great, but since we haven’t used her much before, I had no idea what I was supposed to pay her.” Hill says he sometimes asks sitters, but they respond with things like, “whatever,” or “whatever works for you,” or any number of unspecific responses.

[Read more…] about Stapleton Dad Still Has No F#cking Idea How Much to Pay Sitter

With the “Shortcut to Stanley” opening soon to help drivers get a more direct route to Stanley, pedestrians and cyclists are now getting a boost from the city with the addition of the “Stanley Stop.” The newly added stop sign on Clinton and 26th adds a much needed crossing area for people to get on the Stanley hill and head over to the Stanley. “We ride our bikes there all the time,” said Eastbridge resident Justin Yagla. “That is always the intersection where we cross, but sometimes it can be a little dicey. So, getting a stop sign there is going to make our trek to get great food, beer, ice cream, and going shopping that much easier.” Dawn Lighthall is equally pleased with the addition of the stop sign.

[Read more…] about “Stanley Stop” Put in at Clinton and 26th

The school year is tough for all parents, but it can be extremely difficult for stay at home moms who bare most all of the weight of getting kids to and from school and activities. There are schedules to manage, lunches to make, carpools and playdates to organize, and keeping the kids up with their schoolwork. On top of it all, there is the stress of maintaining the image of the Stapleton mom. The stress of the 160 day school year is too much for many stay at home moms, so most forget about a school event, double book an after-school activity, forget to pack a lunch, and others even skip a yoga class or two. For the ones who stick with the program and keep everything together, the race can be grueling. “This is my fourth time doing the school year as a stay at home mom,” said Stapleton mom Dana Klein. “I take a little time off in the summer, but then it is right back into training. Some people think I am crazy for doing it for four years now, but there is a sense of accomplishment when you cross the finish line.” Tracy Wolf agrees. “Moms like us are just wired different,” says Wolf. “If we are not competing to do our absolute best, we are lost without a purpose. The ‘school year challenge’ is what makes us get up every morning. It’s what drives us.”

[Read more…] about Stapleton Mom Collapses from Exhaustion on Final Day of School

The Stevens family was looking for a small playhouse for their two year old and were thrilled when they found one on swap for just $20. “I came across it and was really excited about it,” said mother Rebecca. “It was exactly what we were looking for, and was only $20. I knew it was a good find when several people asked to be second on the list. We were overjoyed, and were certain our daughter would have a few really happy years in this house.” That elation, however, turned to anger after husband Garrett had the house undergo a routine inspection. “We paid to have the house inspected, just to make sure everything was in good standing,” said Garrett. “Turns out, the house is in pretty good order, unless you count the asbestos the previous owners never had removed.” When the Stevens found out about the asbestos, they were furious. “It’s terribly deceitful and irresponsible to be selling playhouses where the asbestos has not been removed,” said Rebecca. “We asked for the money back, but the sellers, the Clossons, refused, saying all sales were final on swap. It really puts us in a tough position.”

[Read more…] about Stapleton Family Sells Playhouse on Swap Without Removing Asbestos

Stapleton was originally planned to have six or more two-way streets connect Aurora and Stapleton in Eastbridge. But with fears of “others” easily making their way into Stapleton, scared Stapeltonians lobbied to reduce that number to just one: Fulton Street. Now, Forest City, always willing to embrace the latest trend from 10 years ago, has approved Fulton Street as a dual-use residential street and drag strip. “Bandimere Speedway is just too far away,” said Jake Bruns, “so it’s great that our sons and daughters – I’m all for equal rights and Title IX – can learn to race right here in the neighborhood.” Residents that don’t live on Fulton love it’s direct access to Stanley, MLK, Anschutz, Montview, and the speed associated with that direct access. “Some putz was doing 25 on Fulton Street going towards MLK last week,” Jamey Licata told us recently. “The light was green at MLK and I was, like, ‘bro, pedal on the right, let’s go. But did he go? No. So I blazed past him on the left, made the light, and was at work at Subway in Quebec Square on time. Dude, it says 25, but that really means at least 35.”

[Read more…] about Fast and the Furious on Fulton Street: Stapleton Approves Drag Racing

With the Eastbridge Soopers expected to open at the end of the month, the Quebec Soopers is preparing for what undoubtedly will be the end of the store. “For the last several years, we have known the time would come when another grocer entered the market,” said Quebec Soopers manager Gary Stevens. “We tried to make improvements which would keep us in the market longer, but projections do not look good for us to remain in the Stapleton market. In essence, King Soopers will be put out of business by King Soopers.” Research, in fact, shows that Stevens is correct and 84% of current Quebec Soopers shoppers no longer plan to go there once the Eastbridge store is open. “I am very much looking forward to the opening of the Eastbridge store,” said resident Paul Larson. “I have no idea if it will be better or worse, but it will be different. And that’s all I am really looking for right now. It’s like I am going through a divorce from the Quebec Soopers and the Eastbridge Soopers is my rebound.” Lee Jepsen is also at the end of his rope with the Quebec Soopers.

[Read more…] about Quebec Soopers Preparing for End of Days; Urges Customers to ‘Remember the Good Times’