Business Spotlight: Jack’s Bar and Grill
A personal mission and a love of community led Athan Miller to turn over a new professional leaf in 2007 and open Steamer’s Coffee in the Five Parks neighborhood of Arvada.
“I was working as a social worker, and decided I needed a change. My husband, who is in real estate, saw an open coffee shop space on the corner. So he suggested I buy it,” Athan says.
“And he suggested that I employ people with developmental disabilities.”
Along with her business partner, that’s just what Athan did. They started with three employees, working out of the corner of 86th Parkway and Five Parks Drive for three years. In 2010, the restaurant space next door became available, so they expanded their footprint and hired more staff.
Fast forward to today, and they also own an old deli across the street, which serves as a test kitchen and training space for aspiring cooks. “I saw an opportunity to provide training and employment, from prepping food for the restaurant to working the register.”
Athan’s kitchen is a proving ground for people with developmental disabilities who move on to work in restaurants across the Denver Metro. She also currently employs 35 people with developmental disabilities at her restaurant, Jack’s Bar and Grill.
“I believe in a more diverse community. The more people with disabilities are integrated into our communities, the better off our society is as a whole,” Miller explains. “Additionally, I believe very strongly that every person needs the opportunity to work. Through work, a person gains the opportunity to interact with their community and, more importantly, give back to that community.”
Serving that mission in one well-known location has given Miller a chance to build community in the tight-knit Five Parks area.
The challenge
Having a welcoming outdoor space has always been important to Athan. But Jack’s location – near busy 86th Parkway, has presented some challenges over the years.
“A couple of years ago, we lost all our trees, which provided a barrier along the road,” Athan says. “We spent a lot of time brainstorming what to do with our outdoor patio after that.”
They looked at a masonry fence and landscaping, but were limited on both because of City codes and infrastructure.
“Instead of getting frustrated, I reached out to AEDA to learn about how the process worked and what our options were,” says Athan.
The solution
One of their options was to apply for AEDA’s Exterior Improvement Grant, which helps businesses improve the external appearance of their properties.
Athan says that changed everything. “The extra funding helped me expand what I thought we could do. I would tell the AEDA team what I was struggling with, and they’d make suggestions to help find creative solutions.
“I don’t think we’d have been able to do what we wanted to do without AEDA’s support.”
In the end, Athan was able to purchase outdoor boxwood hedges, repaint metal railings, install new lighting, and fix signage. Previously, they had taken advantage of another opportunity from AEDA, the Safety and Security Grant. The grant supports local businesses in enhancing safety and security at their commercial properties.
Athan used the funds to purchase a new security camera system – including outdoor cameras to keep an eye on their parking lot and patio area.
“That’s provided added peace of mind for our staff – and our customers,” Miller says. “In less than a year, our security camera footage has helped in two police investigations. We couldn’t have made that investment without AEDA’s help.”
Learn about Jack’s mission on their website, and stop by the restaurant at 8565 Five Parks Drive for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
AEDA’s Safety and Security Grant is open for applications. Visit the grant page for information and to apply!
