Article Contributed on: 1/24/2008 9:18:16 AM
An old joke says that a bar without alcohol is just a bench. But what if the bar served you fresh gourmet cupcakes or your favorite kind of cereal topped with anything your inner child could dream up?
Then you'd be at The Shoppe, the newest venture from
Tran Wills, of Fabric Lab fame, and baker
Emma Skala, owner of Emma Rose Cakes, which throws open its doors at 3103 E. Colfax Ave. on Jan. 26.
The new space, wedged between Ted's Liquors and Fabric Lab in the booming Bluebird district, is designed to "create a space to hang out it for people who don't necessarily want to go out and drink," said Skala.
The Shoppe is the brainchild of Wills, who on a trip to Chicago saw a working cereal bar in action, and wanted to adapt the concept for Denver. The relationship between The Shoppe and Emma Rose Cakes was originally designed to be like a supplier to a retailer, but as the idea progressed, Skala got more into the action.
"The more we talked about it, the more I got involved and ended up being a partner," Skala said.
As you would expect of a cupcake cafe, the entire venture will be kid-friendly, Skala said.
Skala has operated her own commercial bakery in Lakewood since 2003 and has provided pastries for commercial clients like the venerable Highland coffee shop Common Grounds.
If cupcakes, coffee and cereal aren't enough reason to check out the new digs, the shop also will offer books, magazines and materials for graphic designers that are not easily available elsewhere in the city, thanks to the influence of Wills' husband,
Josh, a graphic designer who does the design work for the various Wills ventures.
The grand opening party on Jan. 26 will run all afternoon, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature "cupcake- and cereal-inspired" works from artists and graphic designers from around the state. There will also be a showing of the typography documentary
Helvetica at 6 p.m.
Children will have their own time at the party, with a reading of the story
There's an Octopus Under My Bed from 1 to 2 p.m.
For more information about The Shoppe or The Fabric Lab, visit
www.thefabriclab.com.