07/12/2025
Sorry for the long post—but we’re finally nearing the finish line in a journey that’s taken nearly a year, and we want to share where things stand with The Pearl Collective, Carmella's Italian & Pizza, and our little building that could.
From the start, we set out to create a space that felt like it belonged to the neighborhood—designed intentionally with the community in mind, every inch built to welcome, connect, and nourish:
🍦 An ice cream (High Point Creamery Sweet Action Little Man Ice Cream) window for kids coming from the splash pad or high schoolers on lunch break
☕ A patio made for slow mornings, afternoon coffee catchups, dinner with friends and family
🛒 A market offering ingredients chosen with care—not just for convenience, but for quality and connection
🎨 A mural by a local artist and a building designed (thank you Brian James Young) to fit in our community
The design always spoke for itself—but behind the scenes, the permitting and zoning process has been a long road. We’re incredibly grateful that after nearly a year of back-and-forth, the mural is close to full approval, and we’re crossing our fingers that Carmella’s awning sign will return soon too!
What’s kept us going? Conversations that matter—including one over coffee with Mike Johnston at Pearl Market, where he said something that truly resonated:
“We need to champion small business—and say thank you when people build things like this in our communities, not put up roadblocks.”
We couldn’t agree more. Zoning reform is essential—and we’re hopeful our experience is helping shape much-needed change for small businesses across Denver. Thank you to Mayor Mike Johnston and his team for the real work being done to bring clarity and small business community-centered reform. Because not all buildings or murals are the same, built with the community and neighborhood in mind we should find ways to assist not put up roadblock after road block, especially when we are talking about interpretations of a mural or awning signs in certain zones.
At the top of our mural, it says “Neighborhood Grocery.” But we have always strived to be more than that.
From day one, we have committed to serving good, honest food—crafted with intention. From flying in fresh fish John Nagle Co., to being the exclusive Colorado retailer for Linz Heritage Angus, to preparing scratch-made Italian dishes and house made prepared meals—every product we offer is rooted in integrity and made with pride.
So if you love supporting local, want the best East Coast pizza in the city (yep, we said it), coffee from local roaster Glissade Coffee Company, or crave Italian made from scratch (deli sandwiches too)—this place was built for you.
Thank you, Denver, for showing up, for believing in us, and for letting us live this dream.
This is what community looks like—and we’re proud to be part of it.
This past spring, Dustin Chiappetta said he reached “a breaking point.” He had been battling with the City of Denver for nine months trying to get a permanent certificate of occupancy for Pearl Market.
