If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.
West + Main Hosts Military Relocation Workshop
West + Main Homes was honored to bring an exclusive Military Relocation Workshop to Real Estate agents in the Greater Denver and Colorado Springs locations earlier this week.
Military Veteran and Relocation Expert Alison Wisnom, currently living with her husband in Annapolis, spent two days with Realtors from across Colorado sharing personal experiences and decades of knowledge regarding How to Best Serve the Military Community.
She said, "Agents in Colorado, in particular, should be open-minded in serving the military and veteran market, since the strong job market, high quality of life, and availability of services for military retirees make the Denver to Colorado Springs corridor very attractive to this group."
Before sharing some tactical ways to help the military community, Alison shared specific considerations affecting the military when relocating to a brand new place.
Unique Needs of Military Clients
Family Separation and Isolation
Spouse Employment
Child Care
Pattern of Life Replacement
Finding the “Right Now” home
“I think that really sums up the working relationship with the military community that can be vastly different to a traditional purchase and how our approach as realtors to the whole process is going to be different,” said West + Main broker Alex Swanson. Finding the 'perfect' home may not be the goal. The often impermanent lives of military families means they're adaptable as hell. Also, sight unseen addendums could be your best friend when writing contracts.
Current Topics for Military Clients
Logistics backlog for moves
Longer transition periods
On base vs. Off base housing decisions
Selling current home or keeping as rental
Affordability and inventory of homes
“Serving our military community is always a priority for West + Main Homes,” said Chief Technology Officer Greg Fischer. “As a Navy veteran myself, it’s a mission of mine to ensure that our company’s agents not only understand the ins and outs of VA loans, but also the unique Real Estate needs of folks who have served our country and their families.”
Best Cities for Veterans to Live
#1 Orlando, FL
#4 Raleigh, NC
#10 Minneapolis, MN
Alison shared a presentation that not only honed in on the extremely specific needs that active duty, retired and those serving in the reserves have when it comes to housing, relocation and long-term financial stability, but also important statistics regarding VA Loan products, requirements and benefits.
Meet the Maker: SaToro Tafura
Meet SaToro!
SaToro Tafura’s stone sculpture has received international acclaim and he has been recognized as one of the most promising stone sculptors of his generation. Tafura harnesses his unique artistic sensibility to speak to and listen to stone, resulting in distinctly powerful stone sculptures that transcend time and geographical space. Tafura’s stone sculpture affirms the values and wisdom of Shona culture and reflects themes that resonate universally. Tafura is the first Zimbabwean to cast his one-of-a-kind stone sculpture in bronze on a large scale. Tafura is based in Longmont, Colorado and enjoys returning to Zimbabwe each year, where he sculpts alongside his mother, renown stone sculptor, Agnes Nyanhongo. Tafura recently completed a 11.5 ton stone sculpture, a private commission, in South Denver. He’s also in the process of producing his first documentary film, delving into the complex origins of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is not from a particular person, but is a sentiment I’ve come across over and over that really resonates with me. “Know thyself” reminds me that despite all the distractions in life, there’s value in prioritizing things that help us know ourselves deeply. I’m not the same person I was even 5 or 10 years ago and as an artist, if I’m disconnected from my deep purpose in life or what I really value, my art is going to reflect that disconnect. When I think about what it means to know myself, I think about staying grounded in my culture, despite living in the U.S. That can be a huge challenge but I’m committed to learning more about my culture and finding relevance in my life today.
What are you working on right now?
I’ve been doing a lot of research on the origins of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe, and have been working on a documentary film that explores the connections to previous creative forms and also outside influences from colonization. I grew up with a widely accepted narrative that stone sculpture is a “traditional” art form, and then started piecing together information that caused me to question that and interrogate it further. It’s pretty uncomfortable to let go of a narrative that has been so closely tied to your professional work and a legacy within your family, but it’s incredibly important to me that I’m actively part of Zimbabweans and other Africans telling our history. My grandfather was known as one of the “first generation” stone sculptors in Zimbabwe. A few years ago, I started to think more about this label and the relationship to this so-called “traditional art form.” My grandfather started sculpting stone in the 50s, so how could he possible be one of the first stone sculptors if this was indeed part of our cultural roots? I had an opportunity to interview him before he passed away, and I was able to gather information about how he was introduced to stone sculpting, the connection to European art curators, and the relationship to his father’s craft as a blacksmith.
What do you like to do outside of work?
When the weather in Colorado is warm enough, I am in my garden as much as possible. This is one of the most basic ways I can connect with what is familiar to me, when living in such a different environment. Growing up in a village in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, we relied on subsistence farming. As a young boy, I herded cattle, created sculptures/toys out of clay from the land, tended the fields and vegetable gardens, and fetched firewood for my grandmothers. Some families had specific jobs for boys and others for girls, but my grandfather believed we should learn how to do everything, so I also cooked on the fire in our traditional kitchen as a young boy. Our connection to the land goes beyond meeting our basic needs, and is also related to our spiritual beliefs. These things created a strong connection to our natural world, and I try to maintain that connection through my gardening. Last summer I grew gourds and showed my two young kids which type we used for cups, bowls, and instruments.
What was the best day at work you've had in the past three months?
Last fall I completed a monumental stone sculpture, which was a commission, and the largest sculpture I’ve ever created. A couple months ago, I returned to visit the sculpture in south Denver and was surprised at how much it communicated to me, and how connected I was to the message I was able to tell through the stone. I got this commission when my daughter was born and she’s turning 5 years old this month! Most commissions don’t take nearly this long, but the stone was 16 tons when it was quarried, so you can imagine that it required a tremendous amount of time and effort just to acquire the raw stone and start sculpting. I returned twice to Zimbabwe during the quarrying process, and started the initial “sketching” process on the stone at my mother’s studio in Harare. After shipping it to Denver, I continued the work for a couple years until it was completed. It was an enriching process, and I enjoyed connecting with many people who regularly passed by as I was sculpting the piece on-site. I created some interactive elements with people sharing their reactions to the piece.
If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?
Being far away from home in Zimbabwe, I think it’s obvious what I’d choose. Airfare is expensive!
Get in touch with SaToro
Instagram: @satoro_tafura
Website: https://satorotafura.com
Email: satoro@satorotafura.com
If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!
You're Invited! First Friday in Louisville Featuring Chelsea Hart
Join us this on August 6th for food, drinks, and art at First Friday in Louisville!
Special thank you to Kate Kippenberger from Universal Lending for her support of the local arts!
Featuring amazing art from Chelsea Hart!
I’m on a mission to make life more joyful. Finding that joy starts with my practice of being grateful for the smallest of things every day.
These small things inspire my work, as does my inner world of emotions. I use my inspiration and channel it onto a surface, heightening colors, movement, and emotions. My work can be described as lighthearted and vibrant. My goal as an artist is to bring a little slice of happiness to my viewers, to uplift and inspire them. I have fun creating art, and I want my viewers to feel that same free, fun feeling.
I earned my BA in Visual Studies at Western Kentucky University, and after living in a handful of states, now call Denver, CO home. I’ve been creating my entire life, always considering myself an artist, but am lucky enough now to call myself a professional artist. I’ve been featured in publications such as Colorado Homes Magazine, The Denver Post, and 303 Magazine. My work can be seen as part of permanent public art collections across the country. I’ve worked with a variety of different clients such as restaurants, marketplaces, offices, and more to create large-scale, joyful, art.
My art is always evolving, and I continually push myself to be a better artist through experimentation and connecting with those more knowledgeable and talented than I.
Learn more about Chelsea and her Art
What are you working on right now?
A new series of acrylic abstract paintings that I'm so proud of. I think they are so fun and some of my best work yet! Also, working on finding more walls to paint murals on.
What do you like outside of work?
I love to travel and can't wait to do it again. I like to get lost in a city, experience a different culture, and just be somewhere new. I am also super into food, whether that's going to new restaurants, cooking, watching cooking shows, if it's food-related, I'm probably into it.
What was the best day at work you've had recently?
Being in the flow of creativity. Just because I have the job title of "artist" doesn't mean I always want to create. So when an idea hits, or I don't want to put my paintbrushes down it's such a great feeling.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere I can! Travel is definitely one of my biggest sources of inspiration. But because that's been limited the last year I've tried my best to notice inspiring things in my every day. That could be a heartfelt conversation with a friend, a nice meal, my garden sprouting plants, a beautiful sunrise, really anything.
Get in touch with Chelsea
Instagram: @chelseamhart
Website: https://www.artbychelseahart.com/
Email: chelsea@artbychelseahart.com
If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!
Tejon Eatery becomes downtown Colorado Springs' newest food hall
Restaurants and museums are part of the fabric of downtown Colorado Springs.
Now, the area has nine more food choices and a new museum — all under one roof.
The Tejon Eatery food hall opens July 22 in a remodeled office building at 19 N. Tejon St. in the heart of downtown, though portions of the venue might open as early as this week.
Tejon Eatery, launched by longtime downtown nightclub owners Sam and Kathy Guadagnoli, will have nine restaurants, two large horseshoe-shaped bars and seating for about 350 people spread across its first and second floors.
The second floor also will be the new home of the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum, with dozens of bikes from the early 1900s to the 1970s, along with motorcycle gear, historical photographs, advertisements and other memorabilia. The museum has moved from the Pikes Peak Harley-Davidson dealership on North Nevada Avenue.
“I think a food hall will be great here, with all of our (surrounding) offices,” Sam Guadagnoli said of Tejon Eatery’s location. “This really is quite different than most food halls.”
Food halls — multiple food and beverage concepts that operate together in a single space and often serve as social gathering spots — have been popular for years in Denver and other cities, but only now are taking shape in Colorado Springs.
C.O.A.T.I., with more than a half-dozen vendors, opened last year in the 500 block of South Tejon Street, becoming one of the city’s first true food halls. Other multiconcept and mixed-use venues include the Payne Chapel, Ivywild School, the Old Depot and Lincoln Center.
The Guadagnolis have planned the Tejon Eatery for more than a year, though its opening was delayed for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam Guadagnoli said. Their downtown businesses include Cowboys, Blondies, The Mansion and Gasoline Alley; they also operate the upscale Prime 25 steakhouse south of downtown.
Guadagnoli said he was intrigued by the idea of a food hall after watching food carts do bang-up business outside his downtown nightclubs, especially on weekends.
“There’s lines on Friday and Saturday nights coming out of the clubs,” he said. “They do great. They’re selling hot dogs or burgers or tacos. They sell out every night.”
The building at 19 N. Tejon, which he owns, went through a $2 million upgrade to create the eatery, which Kathy designed, Sam Guadagnoli said. The remodeling included removing offices and opening up a portion of the first floor to the second floor, which created an open-air seating area.
Among Tejon Eatery’s amenities:
• Roughly 26,000 square feet of space .
• Food concepts that feature a New York-style deli that sells sandwiches, meat by the pound and pastries; lobster and egg rolls; mac n’ cheese; fried chicken sandwiches, wings and tenders; pulled pork, spare ribs, chicken and other barbecue items; tacos and nachos; dumplings and ramen; and squeezed juices, smoothies and salads.
• An ice cream and candy shop that sells ice cream, shakes, floats, malts and candy by the pound; it’s decorated with a soda fountain-like counter and stools, circular tables, old-fashioned napkin dispensers and black-and-white wall tiles to match the floor pattern and conjuring up images of an 1950s-era ice cream parlor.
• A first-floor seating area with dozens of individual and group tables, sofas, three big-screen TVs and a bar. The second floor has another bar, four more big-screen TVs, dozens of additional tables and a private meeting room — with a white board and wall TV — for business meetings, working lunches or corporate gatherings. A second-floor outdoor seating area faces Pikes Peak Avenue and has its own TVs and speakers.
Tejon Eatery expects to attract office workers, increasing numbers of downtown apartment dwellers, tourists, business people staying at nearby hotels and area residents visiting the downtown U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum or attending events at the new Weidner Field multipurpose stadium and the soon-to-open Robson Arena at Colorado College, Guadagnoli said.
“I’ve been down here a long time,” he said. “We used to be a destination. But now all the apartments going up and all the people moving downtown, well maybe we’ll become a neighborhood and a destination, which would be kind of cool.”
Dylan Montanio, Tejon Eatery’s executive chef, said the venue’s variety of food concepts is meant to offer something for everyone, while its large seating areas provide places for visitors to gather.
“That was really what we were trying to design here, a space where people want to come in, where there’s a lot of variety, has a really nice inviting feel to it, so you’d want to sit down and relax,” Montanio said.
Tejon Eatery, which will be open seven days a week, expects to employ 80 to 90 people at full capacity, though, like many restaurants, it has had trouble finding workers, Guadagnoli said.
The second-floor Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum, meanwhile, is free and open to the public. A museum grand opening for its new location is targeted for late August or early September, said Jim Wear, the museum’s founder, curator and executive director.
The nonprofit museum seeks to educate people about the history and legacy of motorcycling, including in the Pikes Peak region, Wear said. It joins the Olympic & Paralympic Museum, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center as downtown attractions.
He said he and Guadagnoli, a motorcycle buff, talked for years about joining forces to showcase the museum’s collection.
The roughly 85 motorcycles now on display at Tejon Eatery are owned by the museum, while others are on loan from individuals and collectors; 10 to 11 of the bikes at the museum are part of Guadagnoli’s personal collection.
Wear expects the new location to help attract a wider variety of visitors, including office workers, tourists and families, in addition to motorcycle aficionados.
“We’re right downtown and of course downtown is becoming a big tourist area, so we’re going to get tons of people who are just wandering through — ‘oh, let’s check this museum out,’” Wear said. “So we will expose a completely new audience that we’ve never been able to get to in the last 30 years via this location.”
Get more Colorado Springs news on The Gazette.
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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.
