Small Business Feature: Jackie's Java

Jackie’s Java began selling at farmers markets, today their coffee can be found at numerous store locations. Over the years, they developed their own online coffee subscription service and expanded wholesale distribution. Read our interview with Owner Stefanie Mecklenburg as she shares the importance of providing good coffee for every taste and budget.

"We feel that owning a local business allows us to contribute to the community by giving us so many opportunities to meet and talk with other members of the community. Being the manufacturer and wholesaler, we get many opportunities to interact with local business owners, offices, and grocery stores. We also have wonderful retail customers, subscribers, and local delivery customers who we get to interact with regularly – we often get a nice honk and a wave when they see our van on the road. At farmers markets, Chris and I get the opportunity to talk with many people and see their faces light up when they taste our delicious coffee for the first time."

Click here to read the full interview with Stefanie Mecklenburg, co-owner of Jackie's Java. Also, be sure to follow Jackie's Java on Instagram and Facebook!
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Get to know Downtown Fort Collins with Small Business Bingo!

Throughout the month of May, experience downtown in a new way with Small Business Bingo! Enjoy a mix of shopping, dining, exploring, and free things to do in Fort Collins, and enter a chance to win Downtown Fort Collins Gift Cards!

Complete tasks on the bingo card; snap a photo to show that you completed the tasks, and submit your final completed bingo entry by May 31, 2022 to be entered to win prizes. 

Support our local small businesses, and in turn, support our local economy and our community. Download your bingo card here!
Click here for more details

Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!  This month is an annual celebration that reconizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific heritage. Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. To read about Asian Americans in Early Fort Collins, click here.

  • This month, Odell Brewing Company and the OBC Wine Project are hosting an AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on Friday, May 13th! 1 dollar from each pint/crowler sold will benefit Stop AAPI Hate.
  • Heart & Sol has several events this May celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. Events and details can be found on their website.

 

Networking Event: Northern Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce
We Want to Meet You!

Come and meet other local Latino Business owners and learn more about the new NOCO Latino Chamber of Commerce. Food and Drinks are provided!

May 16, 2022 from 6-8PM at High Country Beverage (4200 Ronald Reagan Blvd) in Johnstown Colorado.

It's Economic Development Week! Remember to Shop Local!

It's Economic Development Week - and you may be wondering, what's economic development anyway? At the City, we call it Economic Health, and it's all about building a vibrant, healthy economy in Fort Collins.

Economic Health doesn't happen by accident, and some of our key partners in championing a thriving local economy include the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development, Visit Fort Collins, Downtown Development Authority, Larimer Small Business Development Center, and many others! 

We also couldn't have economic development without the incredible, resilient local business and all the community members and visitors who show their love for Fort Collins by supporting them.

This week (and always!), whether you're ordering dinner, grabbing a gift or booking a service like a bike repair or a haircut, consider supporting local to do your part in helping our local economy thrive.

Things to Know & Upcoming Events

    Upcoming Events: 

    • Business Q&A with Larimer’s Health Department - All businesses are invited to join the County on the fourth Thursday of each month. Join the 1-hour session on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at  2 p.m via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance.

    Sign up for weekly updates from the City of Fort Collins Emergency Preparedness and Security COVID-19 newsletter at fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus

    Check out ForFortCollins.com for tools and resources created to help your business reopen safely and strongly while gaining support from loyal customers and community members.

    Economic Health Office
    222 Laporte Ave.
    Fort Collins, CO 80521