Meet the Small Businesses Reviving Denver’s 16th Street
For decades, Denver’s 16th Street Mall was the place to be — a lively downtown hub filled with attractions like ESPN Zone, Niketown, Virgin Mobile Record Store, and a steady stream of shoppers and tourists. But over the last ten years, the area lost its shine, shifting toward chain-heavy retail and suffering from vacant storefronts. Now, a new generation of local entrepreneurs is betting on its revival, aiming to make 16th Street vibrant again by filling it with homegrown businesses that reflect Denver’s creative culture.
At the center of this comeback is Green Spaces, which is anchoring the redevelopment by taking over nearly an entire block. The project will feature a multi-use marketplace with gallery and event spaces, art installations, co-working areas, and a coffee shop and bar. The goal is to turn this stretch of 16th into a true cultural hub, where shopping, socializing, and community overlap.
The lineup of new businesses reflects the diversity and innovation of Denver’s small business scene:
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Common Collective – a one-stop shop for thrifted fashion, vintage pieces, and curated finds.
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Puppet Theater – a bold clothing brand by brothers Zaki and Elias Hamid, blending streetwear with Denver roots.
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Migas Coffee – a welcoming coffee shop co-owned by Marisol Jurado and Alex Merriex, designed to be a gathering spot for locals.
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Lunar Plus – a company creating modern, innovative bags and backpacks, offering functionality with style.
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An agave-inspired bar – curated by Ivan Ramirez, bringing a new cocktail concept centered around agave spirits to downtown Denver.
Unlike the chains that defined the mall in its later years, these businesses are independent, unique, and Denver-grown. The idea is to bring back the character and energy that locals remember — and to show off what the city has to offer to new visitors.
The timing is no accident. The City of Denver is investing heavily in renovations and infrastructure upgrades along 16th Street, creating an opportunity to rethink what the area can become. By focusing on small businesses and cultural experiences, these entrepreneurs hope to transform empty storefronts into a thriving community destination, and to make downtown once again a place where locals and visitors want to gather.
For many Denverites, this revival isn’t just about shopping or nightlife — it’s about restoring pride in a street that was once the city’s most iconic destination.
