“Coffee. Conversation. Community.” is the slogan of Teri Meehan and Debbi Main’s coffee shop, Wash Perk, located at 853 E. Ohio Ave. It’s clear their phrase rings true as soon as you step inside. The aroma of fresh coffee and pastries, an eclectic mix of furniture, and the quiet murmur of music and talk invite you to sink into a comfy chair and stay a while. “It was very intuitive… we believed a coffee shop would do great in this neighborhood,” Teri said of their shop which opened in April of 2008. And indeed it has, it was packed when BikeDenver stopped by.
But a great atmosphere isn’t all Wash Perk has to offer. Its numerous green business initiatives make it a friend to both the planet and its many biking customers. Buying locally, taking advantage of reusable containers, ceramic cups and utensils, and composting and recycling are just a few of the environmentally friendly steps Wash Perk has taken to both minimize their footprint and get them certified as a sustainable business by the Department of Environmental Health. They also promote biking and “installed bike racks because there were so many bikes lining the building,” Teri explained. Wash Perk now offers a 12-space bike rack outside and an eight-space bike rack on the patio. Not only do a majority of their customers bike to Wash Perk, but also almost all of their employees. Although the unique and famous Perk Cycle, a giant bike that roams Washington Park serving coffee and snacks, is out of commission for the time being, BikeDenver loved their idea for “simple, sustainable commerce.”
[Submitted by Courtney Burkett]
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BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awards help highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with more than 125 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.
Wash Perk is a community friendly coffee house that opened in April of 2008. Along with caring for their customers, Wash Perk cares about the environment, as seen in their many green business initiatives. washperk.com/about
BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because more bicycling has great benefits for you, and for Denver! www.bikedenver.org
Clif Bar & Company started o n a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks. www.clifbar.com
Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized 25 work places for their bicycle friendly practices.
February 2011 – Snooze a.m. eatery
December 2010 – Grand Hyatt Denver
November 2010 – Holland & Hart
October 2010 – Solera Green Living
September 2010 – REI Denver Flagship Store
June 2010 – Sweet Action Ice Cream
May 2010 – Denver Regional Council of Governments
March 2010 – Little Man Ice Cream
February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop
January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado
December 2009 – Denver Pavilions
November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority
October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle
September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID
August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek
July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant
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More about BikeDenver:
See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless”“Why I Ride”
You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!
Want to hear our zippy new radio PSAs? Click to hear them here.
