Mike Tilley, Laura Tilley and Stacy Read, the three owners of Colorado Beverage Company in north Stapleton, solicit customers’ suggestions on what products to carry.
When Colorado Beverage Company opened in April, its 40-door beer cooler was only half full. “We asked Stapleton residents to stock it with their favorites,” said Stacy Read, co-owner of the store with her Conservatory Green neighbors, Mike and Laura Tilley. “We have five open notebooks where people can ask for what they like. We order new products every week and now our coolers are full.”
Read said local Colorado brands are the most requested. “People like creative beers, including those with infused flavors. Station 26 Brewing Co.’s tangerine flavor is my favorite right now.”
She said her staff includes beer and wine experts. “Our beer guys are aficionados who are passionate about the science of beer. The wine guys take sommelier classes. On Fridays the whole staff gets together to taste everything new and decide whether to bring it in.”
The store also hosts public events, including tastings every Friday and Saturday from 4–6pm. “People can taste before they buy,” Read said. Food trucks come twice a month.
Read said she wanted an upscale, friendly liquor store in the neighborhood. “As a female, I was uncomfortable in some liquor stores—they felt kind of intimidating. Our store is not intimidating. We want everyone who comes in to have a good experience. We close early so we don’t bring in the kind of clientele we don’t want, to keep it safer.”
Read bought land in North Stapleton in 2014 and built the 18,000-square-foot building that houses Colorado Beverage Company. Her second Digstown Doggie Day Care business is also there (the first Digstown is at Montview Blvd. and Willow St.). SHIFT Cycle and Fitness leases space in the building and Read hopes to attract a coffee shop as well.
Colorado Beverage Company is open Mon. through Thurs., 10am–9pm; Fri. and Sat., 10am–10pm; and Sun., 10am–9pm.
Colorado Beverage Company is at 5080 N. Central Park Blvd. For more information, see cobevco.com or call 720.799.1212.
