Happy Canyon next to Cherry Hills Village just got Happier. And Hipper!
The Happy Canyon shopping center, named for the cheerful road that boarders southeast Denver and Cherry Hills Village, has been a constant in my life since childhood. Over the years, it has been home to many well known retailers. They include Starbucks, Joy’s Consignment, CorePower Yoga, etc. And, I’ve enjoyed my local favorites like Duffeyroll Cafe Bakery and Happy Canyon Flowers over the years.
Unfortunately, the shopping center as a whole has felt a bit depressing since Safeway, the center’s anchor store for over 30 years, left in 2014. Even with the recent opening of Grabba Greens and Dunkin Donuts, it still feels like something’s missing.
Tony’s Meats To Join Happy Canyon
Happy Canyon Shopping Center is on the border between Cherry Hills Village and Denver.
Thankfully, that’s all about to change! According to many local news sources, the old Safeway space will be reopened this summer as Happy Canyon Wine and Market. Collective Markets , also known as Market Halls, are all the rage. Think The Source, Avanti, and Denver Central Market. It’s the European idea of one-stop-shopping. You can buy a little of this and that for dinner that night while stopping for an Americano or a sandwich at the same time. Thanks go out to the same founders of Stanley Marketplace in Stapleton. Happy Canyon Wine and Market promises to offer just that same style of venue.
Tony’s Meats may be a new tenant at Happy Canyon Wine and Market.
Tony’s Meats & Market has committed to opening up a specialty shop in the 42,000 square foot venue. It will be different from their 3 other locations in that it will be primarily a meat and seafood counter including an oyster bar! It will feature a select variety of products, produce, catering, and grab-n-go options. Other vendors currently negotiating lease space are rumored to be a large wine & liquor store, ice cream shop, coffee house, bakery, and pizzeria.
The building will also boast indoor and outdoor seating for 220 people and a full service bar. The vision is to not only provide a unique customer experience and easy access to local businesses, but to also create a community gathering place.
Local Cherry Hills Market Gets Facelift
Growing up in nearby Cherry Hills Heights, the old Safeway at Happy Canyon Shopping Center served that role for me and my family It offered a community meeting space. I remember going with my mom to the store was more of a social occasion than anything. Running into neighbors and classmates was common place. The kids would try to get samples of treats or persuade the cashiers for free balloons while our parents discussed the latest school fundraiser for Cherry Creek Schools or plans for Easter dinner.
Now that I live in Southern Hills (only 5 minutes away) with my own family, I am looking forward to having a new central marketplace where we can find that sense of community again. Plus, we will be able to get a glass of vino at the same time. I know other neighbors echo my excitement.
The neighborhoods bordering the new Happy Canyon Wine and Market run the gamut as far as size, amenities and price ranges. But, they all have one thing in common: desirable real estate. In addition to Cherry Hills Village, the market will serve nearby Denver neighborhoods too.
Denver Neighborhoods Nearby Too
Denver’s Southmoor Park spans East of the shopping center and across I-25. It is comprised of ranches, multi-levels and 2 story homes built by Hutchinson homes from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. These homes range in price from the high $400,000’s to $700,000 and feed into coveted Southmoor Elementary School. Also, nearby Cherry Point is bordered by Happy Canyon, Dahlia and Mansfield in the shape of a perfect triangle. That’s also a Denver neighborhood. Known for sprawling ranches and large lots, homes here were built in the 1960s and range in sales price from the $600,000’s to well into the $800Ks.
University Hills is just to the north and offers a little bit of every style of home from tiny 1950s ranches with no basements, to true mid century historical homes. Occasionally, you’ll find a brand new home or a recent “scraper lot” with a newer home. Or, you might even find brand new construction. Sales prices can go as low as $300,000 to well over $1,000,000. Residents here enjoy access to the Highline Canal, and the newly renovated Eisenhower rec center/park.
Cherry Hills Village is just to the West of Happy Canyon Shopping Center and is home to some of Denver’s most expensive real estate. Residents there enjoy large lots, pastoral scenery, highly rated schools, beautiful homes, and the occasional celebrity siting (like Payton Manning). Cherry Hills living comes with a high price tag. Entry level into this prestigious Denver neighborhood starts above $1,000,000.
As more and more young families are drawn to these neighborhoods to raise their kid. Some have been discouraged at the lack of local shops, restaurants and grocers. Happy Canyon Wine and Market will be a perfect solution for bringing a bit of urban chic to Southern Denver neighborhoods and Cherry Hills Village. Now, let’s just hope they have enough parking!
Great that it will finally open! Too bad the construction is so unattractive. Aurora-ish & just no style. Don’t blow it with marginal parking.
I have asked repeated times to Tony’s Meat Market
if Tony’s was going to come in to the new market space at Happy Canyon and they assured us that they were not. It fell through completely to my disappointment. But I am excited if a market would come there as I miss Safeway as it was so close and I did enjoy running in to neighbors.