Infill projects come in all shapes and sizes. Take, por ejemplo, the newest infill development in Lower Highland… Little Man Ice Cream. Joining the block that also includes Lola and Vita, Little Man Ice Cream is the brainchild of Paul Tamburello, who’s done more than his share to help transform Highland into the sizzling-hot neighborhood that it has become.
Thursday night was the “topping off” of Little Man Ice Cream’s new, um, “building” and its grand opening too. You see, Highland’s newest infill project is a giant milk can. It’s really pretty cool. Here’s the scene Thursday night…
This:
needed to go on top of this:
It was a party-like atmosphere as a couple hundred neighbors gathered at the grid-transitioning intersection of Tejon, W. 30th Avenue, and 16th Street to watch the topping off and to enjoy free ice cream:
Finally, the 7,000-pound lid came to a gentle rest to complete the project:
Oh, in case you’re wondering, a trap door in the roof of the can’s base allowed the workers to escape after bolting the lid in place from the inside. Anyway, the whole process was somewhat reminiscent of this event from August 2006 that took place just a block away.
Paul named the shop in honor of his deceased father, whose nickname was “Little Man” due to his short stature. For more on Paul and his newest Highland venture, read this article from the Denver Post‘s Margaret Jackson from a few weeks ago. Welcome to the neighborhood, Little Man!
I love it! It is a great use of a small lot and will be a center of activity for the neighborhood. I am out of town on business, but when i return I'm taking my 6 year old there for some ice cream. Unless I just don't know of one, there needs to be a coffee shop in the lower highlands also. A Dazbog near the new Pasquini's Pizza would be good.
Corey
This milk can concept is soooo cool, pardon the pun…but I love it when people are using their imagination in an out of the ordinary, outside the box way. I think he will very well with this especially because from a marketing standpoint people will talk about this unique landmark and the word will just spread. People will remember to look for it when they're near the neighborhood or bring people on special trips just to show it off. I was amazed the first time I saw it pre-opening, suddenly figuring out the concept with the top sitting across the street in a parking lot. I think it's a winner.
I saw this Thursday evening and had no idea it had been finished earlier that day. It looks really cool from the street and I think it was done quite tastefully. It is not hard to make an oversize object look ridiculous and cheesy; what a nice addition to the neighborhood. Now, is the ice cream any good?
Had some ice cream there last night. Really tasty, and they were doing a cracking trade. Probably helped that it was the 4th and people were milling around to watch the fireworks.
Oh and Corey, there is already an excellent coffee shop directly across the street from Pasquini's: Gallop.
There's also Shangri-La, the coffee shop in between Lola and Vita, and Masterpiece Deli at 16th & Central, which also has a nice selection of coffees and good things to eat.
I love this – for many many reasons. This is destined to become the wholesome landmark of a great urban neighborhood. Who would've guessed that a giant milk bottle would make Denver just a tad more urbane? (a la Chicago)
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! 😉
"Lower Highland"?? It's hard to believe that DI is on board with the lame change to the neighborhood name…the area, for over 100 years, has been known as "East Highland" or just "Highland" (with west of Federal being "West Highland" – good job on no "s" though!).
At least DI isn't using the extremely lame "LoHI" designation. I see nothing wrong with saying "Lower Highland." It gives a more descriptive, narrower focus than the broad term "Highland," which covers a relatively large area.
"East Highland" is not a great fit given the grid change included within Lower Highland. For part of the area in question (including where Little Man Ice Cream is), the streets don't run due East-West, unlike the streets in West Highland.
Paul did a great job on this…a really fun addition to Highland. Now, if the HUGE "Olinger Mortuary" sign that looms large above this and the city could disappear.It is way creepy. Does anyone know if Olingers is planning on staying in the neighborhood?
^^ Thank you, Anonymous 2:51. Very well stated. That's why I prefer using the name Lower Highland.
Also, you will NEVER NEVER NEVER see or hear me use the wretched two-letter/two-letter abbreviation for Lower Highland to which you referred.
Ken
I like the Olinger sign 🙂
Olinger sign is absoltuely an icon…it would be a terrible tragedy if it was ever torn down…even if the building is demolished, a responsible developer would put it back atop a new structure.
it would be nice if highland maintained at least SOME of it's quirkiness that makes it great.
Went by last night around 9:00pm and it would appear that Little Man is both doing an excellent trade, and already fulfilling its destiny as a neighborhood focal point.
The line was out to the street and halfway to the corner! And it seemed a friendly line, with grown-ups chatting, kids goofing around, dogs sniffing each other…
I like the Olinger Sign too. Plus, the occupant of the former mortuary there is now a hair salon, so it's not going anywhere. Dare I say, I'm 'dying' to get a haircut there!
Olinger's is still very much in the neighborhood. They still use the building that the sign physically sits on. I believe it is used as a garage and maintanence building for their hearses. The Scarlett Salon is in the building that formerly housed the chapel..Lola and vita are in the former mortuary. I personally like the part of the sign that say "Olinger"…it is iconic. It's the smaller letters at the bottom of the sign that says "mortuary" that creeps me out. IMO remove that and it would look great.