New Year, New Opportunities for Connections

For those who have lived in the Evergreen area for a long time, I am sure they bemoan the fact that Evergreen has grown as much as it has. I see posts about this on social media all the time. But for those who are new to Evergreen, I would bet they are so happy they have found a great community to live in, to recreate in, and to raise their family in. While gone are the days of knowing everyone in this town, I am excited to use this column this year to introduce you to some of the great business owners I have the pleasure of working with. My goal is to help create a stronger-knit community and tell you a few tidbits about each of these folks so that when you see them around town, you can say “hi” and have something to talk about. I know every single one of them would love to get to know more of their neighbors!

I would like to introduce you to Jared and Amanda Leonard, owners of Campfire Evergreen, the newest spot in town for woodfired pizza, pit-smoked barbeque and fire-roasted rotisserie chicken. Campfire Evergreen has created a family friendly atmosphere where folks can spend time together around one of their outdoor firepits, enjoy the sunshine on the patio or sit inside and enjoy the warmth that comes with eating around the open-air kitchen. There is even a playground outside for your children to enjoy while you savor an adult beverage and meal. If you have not yet visited Campfire Evergreen, I highly recommend the “Leroy” white pie.

After having lived in the Colorado mountains for a few years before moving to Chicago to open restaurants and start their family, Jared and Amanda moved back to Evergreen to raise their children. Owning multiple businesses across multiple states inherently creates the need to be in more than one place at a time and technology affords us that ability. The Leonards do look forward to the day when they can disconnect and take a several-month-long RV trip down the Baja peninsula. Stop into their restaurant at the end of Meadow Drive for lunch or dinner, or order online at campfireevergreen.com to take your meal home. And look for Jared and Amanda and be sure to say “hi.”

In the upcoming year, the Evergreen Chamber will continue to support our local businesses and promote the community locally and beyond. Over the past two years, the Chamber has had to change the way we do business and has had to answer some tough questions on how to best assist the business owners in our community. While our role as an event planner for the community has diminished some, our role of being the intermediary between our businesses and the Jefferson County government has increased. I am sure 2022 will present new challenges and opportunities, and while we will navigate those with an eye toward what is best for our businesses, I am always grateful to the greater mountain community for the support you continually show to “local.”