Supporting local businesses, schools, families, and neighborhoods should come naturally. It’s what we do when a new shop opens on the corner, when we enroll our kids in the school down the block, or when a business owner becomes more than a name on a storefront—they become a neighbor. We celebrate their wins, and when things get tough, we show up to help shoulder the losses. That’s the very definition of community.
In Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, and Mountain View, we’ve seen countless examples of residents rallying behind local businesses that need an extra push. From Edgewater Inn Pizza to Little Brazil, Mestizo’s, and many more, community support has been a powerful driver of success. When one business does well, it lifts the entire area. When Clancy’s thrives, it benefits Colorado Plus. When foot traffic increases on a block, everyone feels it. Local success is rarely isolated.
But the question we don’t ask often enough is this: what does it mean for a business itself to act local?
Traditionally, being a local, community-minded business means giving back in meaningful ways—supporting a neighborhood school, hosting local committees or nonprofit meetings, purchasing goods from nearby vendors, and hiring locally whenever possible. It doesn’t always require writing a check or giving away free food. Sometimes it’s as simple—and as powerful—as offering space.
Stylus and Crate, Clancy’s, and Colorado Plus have long been champions of this approach. West 29th and several others regularly offer wall space to showcase and sell art by local artists. These gestures may seem small, but they are real testaments to belonging. They say, “We’re invested here.”
And there may be no better example of a true community champion than Joe Demott, longtime owner of Pietra’s. Over the years, Joe has donated thousands of pizzas to local school PTA meetings and community events. During COVID, he delivered meals to healthcare workers personally—often pulling up in his unmistakable yellow Jeep. Beyond the day-to-day generosity, Joe has also led the charge in organizing the beloved Carnation Festival, one of the most enduring celebrations of community spirit in our city. That’s what local support looks like when it comes full circle.
Sometimes contribution comes in the form of events. WellBeings on Pierce hosted its first annual fair, inviting other vendors to participate and grow together. Clancy’s massive St. Patrick’s Day celebration draws upward of 4,000 people—many from outside our community—and donates all entry proceeds to a local pet shelter. Esters transforms its parking lot into a festival space, and Wheat Ridge Lanes brings neighbors together weekly with its car show. These events don’t just market businesses; they strengthen the social fabric of our cities.
It’s also worth recognizing when the will to contribute exists and organizations like Localworks step in with resources, ideas, and operational know-how to help businesses turn good intentions into real impact.
But contributing also means covering the basics—the fundamentals every business owner is responsible for. Paying employees. Paying vendors. And, critically, paying local sales taxes.
Surprisingly, not all businesses do. We have local businesses that collect sales tax from customers and fail to remit it to the city. That money was already paid by the community, with the expectation it would support sidewalks, road maintenance, police services, snow removal, signage, and local marketing programs—many of which directly benefit those same businesses. When taxes aren’t paid, the entire community absorbs the loss.
We’ve seen this before, and unfortunately, we’re seeing it again—most recently along 38th Avenue. We plan to dig deeper into this issue in the coming months, examining the history, the numbers, and the impact on local vendors and city services.
None of this diminishes the many businesses that consistently do the right thing. In fact, it makes it even more important to highlight those shining examples—businesses that embody why “support local” matters. As families in this community have been reminded for generations: if you can find it here, buy it here.
Because local support isn’t just about where we spend our money. It’s about trust, accountability, service, and a shared commitment to the places we call home.
