ThemFaire Founders’ Favorites: Five activities and creative-run businesses in Denver
Dec. 12, 2024
Note: Direct quotes were edited for typos, to observe AP style guidelines and to fit the listicle structure.
The three founders of ThemFaire, a Renaissance fair-themed market featuring nonbinary and transgender artisans, see value in supporting local small businesses and creators.
In a recent interview, Sam Kennedy, Sam Scharrer and Rory Kennedy shared suggestions centered around supporting Denver’s small and independent entities through enjoyable experiences.
1. Chroma Denver
According to their Instagram page, Chroma Denver is a shop where customers can find products from several small businesses all in one place. Rory Kennedy and Kara Admire, who are both small business owners, own this shop and sell their products there; Rory Kennedy is the owner of That Witch Apothecary and Admire owns Kara Kara Blooms.
Rory Kennedy said that the collective was created to give accessible retail opportunities to small businesses.
“It's my new business venture, which is called Chroma Denver, and we are a new collective of small businesses where you can essentially walk into one storefront and have seven to 10 local small businesses that you can shop in one spot. We're calling it ‘Denver's one-stop [local] shop’ and [are] offering affordable retail space to smaller businesses so we can make sure that everyone has access to such a cool opportunity."
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2. Vibe Caster
Vibe Caster is Scharrer’s design agency that helps brands establish an identity. Scharrer can create “a custom brand identity system” for entrepreneurs looking to “upgrade their aesthetic.”
According to the Vibe Caster website, Scharrer’s work takes what the entrepreneur already has established and adjusts it to reach a balance between strategy and consistent “glamour magic.”
A full list of Vibe Caster’s services can be found on their website, and any announcements can be viewed on their Instagram page.
3. ARTcade
Scharrer suggested ARTcade, a relaunched arcade full of contemporary art in Denver’s Theatre District. “Basically, if you want to interact with other artists and opportunities, it's a really fun activity to do.”
According to the ARTcade website, their games display art from over 85 artists, and they are full of original pieces and handcrafted goods to win.
ARTcade will be open daily from noon to 8 p.m. until Dec. 22. Admission into the space ends after 7:30 p.m. each day. More information on this experience can be found on ARTcade’s website.
4. Pearl Divers
Scharrer also recommended Pearl Divers, a sapphic speakeasy-inspired bar with a tiki aesthetic. According to their Instagram and Scharrer, Pearl Divers opened on Dec. 1 in the lounge area of Your Mom’s House.
“I know they just had their grand opening, it’s Pearl Divers, which is a new, weird Tiki bar that just opened in Your Mom's House."
The bar is open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 to 11 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Announcements regarding their upcoming events can be found on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Divers next year can be found on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
5. Urban Sanctuary
Sam Kennedy shared Urban Sanctuary, a yoga studio located in Five Points that promotes “race-based healing” and provides Denver’s BIPOC community with access to yoga and other forms of healing.
“Urban Sanctuary, which is in Five Points, is a Black and women-owned yoga studio, and they do specifically queer yoga classes.”
Kennedy also noted that “they do astrology and Tarot yoga classes.”
The studio offers membership packages with virtual and in-person yoga session options as well as access to their poetry club. More information on their membership options and schedule is available on their website.
