Day 15 | Cantina Laredo, Streets at Southglenn, Centennial CO

On Day 15 of 365 Things to Do in South Denver Suburbs, I propose that you head over to the Streets at Southglenn in Centennial CO to the newly opened Cantina Laredo restaurant.

My wife and I visited Cantina Laredo this weekend for a short visit before a movie at the Southglenn Hollywood Theater.  We did not stay very long, by design – just popped in for a quick bite before needing to move on.

The atmosphere at the brand new Centennial restaurant was great, our waiter was extremely friendly and helpful in choosing our snack and service was prompt. We didn’t sit inside nor on the outdoor patio, instead we grabbed a table in between that was almost like a sunroom – enclosed but nearly outside.

Since we didn’t eat a full meal, I can’t comment extensively on the food but I can say that both salsas brought to our table were great and our nachos were not your typical chips in a mound on a plate where there is empty chips at the bottom.  In stead it was one layer of chips with each chip covered generously in toppings.   As I said, we split them, were not looking for a full meal, and it was the perfect amount for us.

I love patio dining and because of the great Denver weather almost all year round, its one of the things that those of us that live in Denver can enjoy frequently.  A restaurant with a great patio can do rather well on those warmer early spring days – that we all enjoy, not just in the summer months.

The patio at Cantina Laredo restaurant has great potential, the Streets at Southglenn is a very nice area and with the movie theater there as well, there is a great draw to pop in before or after a show.

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Other Things to Do in the South Denver Suburbs you may like:
Day 8 South Platte Park – Littleton CO

Day 12 H2OBrien Pool – Parker, Colorado

Day 13 Daniels Park – Douglas County CO

Day 14 Murdochs- Littleton / Highlands Ranch CO

Steve Scheer – Denver Realtor®
Denver Real Estate
Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Littleton Real Estate

Day 5 – Escape the Denver Heat – Lace Up The Skates At An Ice Arena

Day 5 of 365 Things To Do in South Denver Suburbs isn’t going to be one place, but an idea in general.  Some are looking forward to the 100 degree day we are about to have here in Colorado.  Some are not.  Instead of heading to the neighborhood pool, you can head indoors to the ice arena would beat the heat, for a bit anyway.

Back in 2007, I wrote a piece in the summer during a very hot week about escaping the heat at an ice arena. The landscape has changed a little since then in the Denver ice arena availability -but here are your options. some time.  Here are a few of the places you can do that here in Denver & the South Suburbs.

South Suburban Ice Arena
South Suburban Ice Arena in Centennial is on Vine, just west of University and North of Arapahoe.  It is run by the South Suburban Parks & Recreation for its open skate and has a wide availability of open skate times. They have many lessons available for all ages and abilities and also have a great Learn to Hockey skate program, even for adults.  Their open skate times are generally 90 minutes each and are very easy on the budget whether you live in district or out.  They also have skate rentals available, cheap.

Family Sports Ice Arena
There is also the Family Sports Ice Center in Centennial just south of Arapahoe & Peoria.  Also run by SSPRD there are great options there as well.  This is the location where the Av’s practice, so even though we are in the off season, you never know who you may run into.  The lobby of family sports is a kids arcade and on the property you will also find laser tag, the Sports Dome (indoor turf field for soccer/lacrosse, etc) and the SSPRD golf course & driving range.

DU – Joy Burns Arena
On the south side of Denver, there is the University of Denver at Joy Burns Arena located at University just south of I25.  Home of the DU Pioneers next door at Magness Arena, Joy Burns Arena has a great community for open skating year round.

The Edge
At Foothills – The Edge in Littleton you will find an arena and open skate schedule managed by the Foothills Parks & Rec.  Looking at the schedule, The Edge ice arena definitely has open skate times today, 7/17 in the mid afternoon – when you know it is going to be really hot.  The Edge is on Ward Street in Littleton and sits high on the hill – you can’t miss it.

The Ice Ranch
The Ice Ranch may be the newest facility on the ice arena landscape in Denver & the south suburbs, it is not really new anymore. Located in Littleton just over the Highlands Ranch line, you will be as likely to find a drop-in open hockey time that works for you as an open skate.

If you need a change of pace from the pools from escaping the Denver heat, try skating. And as I said on that first post back in 2007,  you may want to even bring your mittens.

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My Blog Series – 365 Things to Do in South Denver CO Suburbs

Day 1 Redstone Park – Highlands Ranch

Day 3 – Savory Spice Shop – Littleton CO

Steve Scheer – Denver Realtor®
Denver Real Estate

Highlands Ranch Real Estate

I wrote on this blog in way back in September of 2008 that the word was out that IKEA would be coming to the south Denver Suburbs, Centennial to be exact.  Well, now it seems to be firmer, a target opening has been announced – its much more official.

The giant Swedish furniture manufacturer and reseller has completed the details of acquiring land to build on here in Denver.  The location will be just north of Park Meadows mall.  According to an article on 9news.com, ground breaking will be in the next few months with opening anticipated to be Fall 2011.

This is exciting for all the fans of the manufacturer who have so far had to ship the furniture and accessories from stores around the US and worldwide.  The store opening also brings with it new jobs in construction, civil engineering as well as others just to build the facility. Of course, IKEA will provide job opportunities to 400 workers once it is complete. 

IKEA has a style and level of product quality known the world wide.  Now consumers right here in the Denver area will get the chance to experience firsthand why this furniture maker is so popular.

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Centennial Real Estate

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

I have been driving some Denver area home buyers around lately that were curious about the construction going on at the old Southglenn Mall. They were relocating from out of state and their current area as they put it had “ancient shopping centers”.

The new development is called Streets of Southglenn and although much of the construction is still underway, some of the shops are now opened.

My buyers in particular were delighted there would be such a nice place to shop & dine nearby.

Staples and Best Buy and the Macy Home Furnishings Department opened first and Dick’s Sporting Goods in now opened as well.  I know that my wife commenting that shopping at this brand new Staples for the kid’s school supplies was very nice, she said that at first not many knew that it was opened so she was able to find exactly what she needed.  It seems that the word has gotten out though as the few times I have been in, it is starting to get a little busier.  Busy is good!

The Streets of Southglenn is a welcome addition to the Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village areas, – its fresh open air shopping experience, coupled with a movie theater, restaurant and cafes is a welcome fresh change for the area.  Many that I have spoken to are very excited about the Whole Foods that will be opening here.  Residential units within The Street of Southglenn will be upscale apartment homes (it was once planned for condos, but that did change late last year).  The Streets of Southglenn has a completion date of Spring 2009.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

By noon yesterday, I had heard mention of the new IKEA store 3 times.  And by 5pm – that number grew to at least 15. Word spread quickly that there would be an IKEA store opening in the Denver area and while shoppers that are familiar with IKEA are delighted, there are further implications of the news as well.

Let's face it – the media tells us every day how rough the economy is over and over across the board nation wide.  But we have been hearing some other messages in the Denver area, such as this latest report that I posted about:  The Health of the Denver Real Estate Market.  The bottom line is, IKEA is not going to build a store where they see no promise for a lucrative future – so the fact that they are expanding into Colorado is good news.  

So for those that like the IKEA style from Sweden – you will soon be able to shop without driving to Utah or Phoenix. IKEA has long been a favorite with first time home buyers as it offers a great selection of higher quality furniture and accessories at affordable prices.  On more than one occasion I have had had home buyers in Denver- especially first time home buyers tell me that they are having furniture shipped into town from IKEA – so this is also good news for those IKEA fans.  It will also create more jobs in the area and its a good indicator that the Denver area economy is doing better than other areas and can support this growth.

Its looking like IKEA will be located near I25 and County Line Road, just a bit north of Park Meadows Mall.  An opening date has not yet been announced but its sounding like it is about 2 years out.