Alright, looking like we've got a nice little wave of business openings coming here in the final months of the year. Stopped by Castle Pines' new drive-thru coffee spot — 7 Brew, which opened up this past week. I had never heard of them before this, but I guess they're huge with 900+ locations across the US (founded in Arkansas in 2017). It's off of Castle Pines Parkway, just across the ingress from Starbucks. I guess you can never have too many options for coffee! I got a medium sweet and salty which I really enjoyed, and it was good for a 60-point bump on the glucose monitor — oops. And you can technically walk up and order there, but they won't have a place for you to sit.
SereniTea
Have been seeing this massage/tea lounge pop up on the socials for the past couple of months (they opened this past summer), but had to wait until I deserved a massage before heading over there. Plot twist was that the moment of deserving it never came, but fortunately for me my entitlement kicked in and I decided to just book it.
I went yesterday and got the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage for 60 minutes, which runs $95. The massage started out how it typically does…the masseuse asked me how much pressure I wanted and I said “break me”. It had been a while since I'd gotten a massage so figured I might as well step it up a notch with the stones. They're just my favorite part, and they left one in each of my hands for a bit which was something I hadn't experienced before, but was amazing — think hand warmers. They've got a bunch of different options to choose from, so take a look and see what you might like. They have Oriental Meridian Therapy, foot and hand reflexology, head spa, facials, lymphatic drainage, cupping, microneedling and waxing, and they have couple massages and you won't see prices because it's the same as individual ones (just times two).
They have an aromatherapy table which is pretty cool. You can take the glass funnels off of the flowers and test out the scents before choosing one. Their scanning machine for the Oriental Meridian Therapy is stuck in customs, but should be showing up soon (hopefully)…and they've got some scalp and regrowth items. When I first saw regrowth and scalp in the same section, my eyes lit up because I could use some of that on my head…well, looking closer, I guess that's for skin regrowth…shucks. I'll have to hold out for my transplant.
Now, the differentiator takes place. Every massage and treatment comes with a free tea after the fact in their tea lounge. They gave me the option of Jasmine or Oolong (you can purchase the others) and I opted for Jasmine and they gave me a small cookie with it as well. I posted up at their tea bar inside because the lighting outside wasn't exactly perfect based on the sun's position. I enjoyed the tea, though I'm not a big tea guy. They have 12 or so of them and you can smell them all before ordering. Note: you can't buy the teas by the cup so don't be surprised when you see the prices. I ordered the Cloud Mist Tea because of the tea cloud on top, and then you can't pass it up when dry ice comes with your drink…they brought out some grapes, trail mix, and then some pear treat that was also pretty good. Ollie, at the front desk, was nice enough to entertain my thousand questions and give the rundown on everything — even showing me what a tea pet is…theirs were three berries that are a certain color, but when you pour hot water on them they turn red. Apparently it's a way to test to see if your water is hot enough. It was!
You can buy the loose-leaf tea and they'll bag it for you, or you can purchase a tin for fairly cheap for them to put it in. They've got some different tea sets including a traveling set for those of you who are next level.
The patio is a great place to hang out and drink your tea. They've got smoke machines, great decor, some paper parasols on the ceiling, and these mini rivers that have little bowls floating around (some have small teapots on them). They are purely for decoration — try to put something else on them and they will sink. They've got different pastries that rotate. I was told they come from China along with the teas.
It's right between Sazon and Rio Grande in Lone Tree off of Park Meadows Dr. I can't remember what was there before, but was told it was two businesses and one was a massage spa. The Mu Tao group owns this. It's their second location and the first with a tea lounge. Their other massage spa is in Las Vegas. Apparently they are expanding to another location in Vegas that'll have a tea lounge as well. I thought Lone Tree was an extremely odd second location for them, but it sounds like they may have known the prior owner/operators of the massage place. Funny enough, there's a CoCo's massage on the other side of Sazon, I saw a Mint Massage over by Jack's, and there was one I saw across Park Meadows Dr…my guess is that none of those have a tea lounge. And, yes, you can just go for a massage and skip the tea and you can go just to hang out and get a tea.
Full rundown, services and photos: dougcosocial.com/stories/serenitea-spa-tea-lounge-lone-tree
Wednesday, October 14. North Castle Rock and Castle Pines.
We had our largest Dinner Club to date last week in Lone Tree. Hoping to continue to build on that! If you haven't joined yet, you just show up at 6:30pm and sit down with five neighbors you've never met. We do the matching and book the restaurant. You order off the menu and pay for your own food and drinks. After dinner, every table heads to the after-party at a bar nearby.
Grab a seat here and use code PINES for $5 off. Signups close Monday, October 12 at 6:30pm.
Paint Night at Downhill Brewing
Thursday, October 15. Downhill Brewing in Parker.
5280 Paint & Craft is running its Dreary Ghost class at Downhill Brewing from 6pm to 9pm. You pick a 16x20 oval canvas or a 12-inch round wood sign, and they walk you through it step by step. No experience needed. All the materials plus an apron are included.
Help Wanted
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you're hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Saddle Up
Top Events This Week
Thu 10/8 - Elk Bugling Hike, Backcountry Wilderness Area/Highlands Ranch - 5pm–7:30pm - $12–$15
Thu 10/8 - Always...Patsy Cline opens, Lone Tree Arts Center/Lone Tree - 7:30pm, through Sun 10/25 - tickets and matinees at the link
Thu 10/8 and Wed 10/14 - Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales Walking Tour, Castle Rock Museum/Castle Rock - 7pm - Free, reservations required
Sat 10/10 - Fieldhouse Fright Night, Parker Fieldhouse/Parker - 5:30pm–8pm - $17–$19 per kid (parents free)
Sat 10/10 - Baby Goats at Lone Tree Brewing, Lone Tree Brewing Company/Lone Tree - 2:30pm–4:30pm - Free
Wed 10/14 - Toad the Wet Sprocket: Rings, The Acoustic Tour, PACE Center/Parker - 7:30pm - $79–$89
Music & Concerts
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Red Mountain Highway at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 10/8, 6pm–10pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Rhett Haney at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 10/8, 7:30pm–11pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Live Band Karaoke Colorado at The Studio - Thu 10/8, 8pm–11pm - Free
The Groove at Lyric (Lone Tree) - Friday Night Live: Elk Song at The Groove - Fri 10/9, 5pm–8pm - Free
Honnibrook Craft Meadery (Castle Rock) - Josh Blackburn: Live In Castle Rock - Fri 10/9, 6pm–9pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill (Castle Pines) - Blue Moon Band at Pines Bar and Grill - Fri 10/9, 6pm–9pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Tripping Griswolds at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 10/9, 6pm–10pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Justus Band at The Stagecoach Saloon - Fri 10/9, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Overnight Ugly at The Studio - Fri 10/9, 7pm–11pm - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Burns Twice at Takoda Tavern - Fri 10/9, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Scott Uhl, Live at the Altar - Fri 10/9, 8pm–10pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Ninety2K at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 10/9, 8:30pm–12:30am - Free
Wide Open Saloon (Sedalia) - Walker Williams Band at Wide Open Saloon - Fri 10/9 - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Sarah P and the Dirty Logger at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 10/10, 12pm–4pm - Free
Max Taps Co. (Highlands Ranch) - Live Music: Static Crush at Max Taps - Sat 10/10, 6pm–9pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Blinker Fluid at The Stagecoach Saloon - Sat 10/10, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company (Castle Rock) - Live Music: Off Ramp at 105 West - Sat 10/10, 6:30pm–9:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge (Castle Rock) - Saturday Live Music at The Whiskey Lodge - Sat 10/10, 7pm - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Trevor Michael at Takoda Tavern - Sat 10/10, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Light Up the Night with DJ Optimus at The Studio - Sat 10/10, 8pm–12am - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Project X at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 10/10, 8:30pm–12:30am - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Live DJ in the Lounge with 'DJ Marvin' - Sat 10/10, 9pm–12am - Free
Wide Open Saloon (Sedalia) - Aftershock at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 10/10 - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Adam Rey at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 10/11, 12pm–4pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Twos Company at The Studio - Sun 10/11, 1pm–4pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Duey & Unbroken at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 10/11, 5pm–9pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Josh Blackburn at Tailgate Tavern - Wed 10/14, 5:30pm–9:30pm - Free
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Avery Kyle Entertainment at Tailgate Tavern - Wed 10/14, 7pm–11pm - Free
Food & Drink
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Thu 10/8 and Sat 10/10, 1pm–3pm - $74.95
Lone Tree Brewing Company - GABF Pre-Party at Lone Tree Brewing - Fri 10/9, 5pm–10pm - Free
Arts & Culture
Douglas County Libraries - Philip & Jerry Miller Library (Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Mining & Milling Company History Talk - Thu 10/8, 7pm–8pm - Free
PACE Center (Parker) - Parker Symphony Orchestra: Myths and Legends - Fri 10/9, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $32–$36
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Viva la Vida! Flamenco & Mexican Music and Dance Celebration - Sun 10/11, 1pm–3pm - $76.50
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Spooky Swing Canvas or Wood Sign Painting at Lone Tree Brewing - Sun 10/11, 12pm–3pm - $49.87
The Corner Nook (Parker) - Book Club: The Book Witch at The Corner Nook - Tue 10/13, 6pm - Free
Family
Lone Tree Arts Center - Seedlings: Eric West Music for Kids - Tue 10/13, 9:30am–10:15am - $5
Outdoors
Prairie Sky Park (Lone Tree) - Guided Nature Hike: Amazing Corvids at Prairie Sky Park - Sat 10/10, 4pm–5:30pm - Free
Fitness & Races
The Bluffs (Lone Tree) - Run The Bluffs - 19th Annual - Sun 10/11, 8am–11am - $30
Markets
Downtown Parker - Parker Farmers Market - Sun 10/11, 8am–1pm - Free
Festival Park (Castle Rock) - Festival Park Farmers Market - Sun 10/11, 9am–2pm - Free
Highlands Ranch Town Center - Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market - Sun 10/11, 10am–2pm - Free
Providence Park (Sterling Ranch) - Sterling Ranch Farmers Market - Wed 10/14, 3pm–7pm - Free
Festivals & Fairs
Gilly's Pumpkin Patch (Castle Rock) - Gilly's Pumpkin Patch - Fri 10/9 and Sat 10/10, 9am to dark - $5 per person, $20 per family
The Grange (Castle Rock) - PumpkinFest at The Grange - Sat 10/10, 12pm–3pm - Free
Miller Park Amphitheater (Castle Rock) - Glow Dance Party - Therapeutic Recreation Fundraiser - Sat 10/10, 7pm–9:30pm - $10 ages 5-14, $20 ages 15+ (register by Fri 10/9; day-of +$5, online only)
Happy Dog Ranch (Sedalia) - Happy Dog Ranch Fall Festival - Sun 10/11, 11am–3pm - Free
Community
Nova Glow Studio (Parker) - Nova Glow Grand Opening - Sat 10/10, 10am to 1pm - Free
Downtown Castle Rock - Restaurant Week - runs through Sun 10/11 - Free
Highlands Ranch Senior Center - Older Adult Health & Resource Expo - Thu 10/8, 1pm–4pm - Free
GLO Wellness (Parker) - Mahjong & GLO Night at GLO Wellness - Thu 10/8, 6pm–9pm - $35
Alidade Brewing (Castle Rock) - Cash Bingo Night at Alidade Brewing - Sat 10/10, 6pm–10pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Fall Home Show - Fri 10/9 through Sun 10/11, 12pm–6pm - Free
Lone Tree Municipal Building (Lone Tree) - Blood Drive - Wed 10/14, 10am - Free
There's live music somewhere in the county most nights of the week. The standing list lives at dougcosocial.com/live-music.
Trivia, bingo and game nights, sorted by day: dougcosocial.com/trivia.
On the Horizon
The Emporium (Castle Rock) - Cocktails & Cauldrons, An After-Hours Event at The Emporium - Thu 10/15, 6pm–8pm - $20 (Halloween-themed)
Lone Tree Arts Center - SPARK! Hands on Activity: Athena Project - Thu 10/15, 1:30pm–3pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Sinatra Tribute Show Live at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Fri 10/16, 6pm–9:30pm - $86.80
Wellspring Community (Castle Rock) - Club 21 Halloween Dance Party at Wellspring Community - Fri 10/16, 7pm–9pm - $15 (Halloween-themed)
Miller Park (Castle Rock) - Spooktacular - Sat 10/17, 1pm–4pm - Free (Halloween-themed)
Indian Creek Campground (Sedalia) - 13th Annual Indian Creek Trail Runs - Sat 10/17, 6am–8pm - $64.60–$181.20
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Murder & Mystery at the Castle: Midnight at the Masquerade - Sat 10/17, 6pm–9:30pm - $84.95 (Halloween-themed)
Max Taps (Highlands Ranch) - Haunted House Wood OR Canvas Painting at Max Taps Highlands Ranch - Sun 10/18, 2pm–5pm - $49.87–$60.54
Tickets just went live for Trunk or Treat on Mainstreet in downtown Parker (Sat 10/24, 1pm to 5pm, free but every kid needs a timed-entry ticket, and registration opened 10/1).
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events
Hometown Headlines
7 Brew is open in Castle Pines
TLDR: The drive-thru stand at 570 Castle Pines Parkway, on the southeast corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Debbie Lane, is open 5:30am to 10pm, and until 11pm Fridays and Saturdays. It's drive-thru only, with no mobile ordering. Saturday, Oct. 10 is Swag Day: a free 7 Brew T-shirt with the purchase of a large drink.
Castle Pines Parkway paving is up next
TLDR: The City says all primary waterline infrastructure improvements on the Castle Pines Parkway rebuild have been completed, and waterline testing was scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 5. Once the new line is tested and tied in, crews will pave westbound Castle Pines Parkway from Deer Clover to just east of the Buffalo Trail roundabout, with asphalt expected in late October. After that, traffic shifts onto the new westbound pavement while crews remove the eastbound concrete lanes. The City expects to finish this fall.
BODYBAR Pilates starts classes in Highlands Ranch Monday
TLDR: Classes officially begin Monday, Oct. 12 at BODYBAR Pilates' new Highlands Ranch studio, 9265 S Broadway, Suite 100. Its open house and ribbon cutting celebration was on the calendar for Wednesday, Oct. 7, 4:30pm to 7pm.
Joy Batch Cookies & Coffee opens in Highlands Ranch Friday
TLDR: Joy Batch, formerly Quinnie's Cookies, holds its grand opening Friday, Oct. 9, 9am to 6pm, at 9315 Dorchester St., Unit 109 in Highlands Ranch. Cookies, coffee and curated gifts, per the owner's announcement.
Highlands Ranch wants your take in its community survey
TLDR: The Highlands Ranch Metro District's online community survey is open through Wednesday, Oct. 28. The board of directors and staff use the feedback for planning and budget decisions, and the results will be shared on the Metro District's website later this year.
Nova Glow opens in downtown Parker on Saturday
TLDR: Nova Glow Studio's grand opening is Saturday, Oct. 10, 10am to 1pm, free and open to everyone. You can explore the studio, meet the team and shop The Nova Glow Edit. Founding memberships close at the end of the grand opening.
Parker wants your take on the Parker Road and Mainstreet intersection
TLDR: The Town's second open house on the Parker Road and Mainstreet design is Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5pm to 7pm at The Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet. You'll see the preliminarily identified preferred alternative and can share feedback. The project looks at traffic operations and safety, roadway access, walking and biking connections, and access to O'Brien Park.
The July 4 fireworks are back on for Veterans Day
TLDR: Castle Rock rescheduled its cancelled Independence Day show for Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7pm, weather and fire restrictions permitting. It's a 20 to 22 minute show launched from Miller's Landing, and the Town suggests watching from Downtown, Metzler Ranch Community Park, Philip S. Miller Park, parts of Red Hawk or Rock Park. Parker's postponed show is the same night at 7pm from just northeast of Salisbury Park, with only 300 paved parking spaces there. Parker's viewing map is on the Town's page.
Castle Rock's kratom sales ban passed
TLDR: Town Council gave final approval Tuesday, Oct. 6 to the ordinance that makes it unlawful to sell or offer to sell at retail within the Town any kratom products intended for human consumption. Since 2019 the Town had only banned kratom sales to minors. The ordinance passed first reading 6-1 on Sept. 15.
Aging Resources is moving to Wilcox Street
TLDR: Beginning in early October, Aging Resources of Douglas County is relocating its offices from Fourth Street to 410 S. Wilcox St. in Castle Rock. The County says the new space gives more room to serve older adults, welcome volunteers and expand services. For office hours and programs, call 303-814-4300.
Local partners and occasional affiliate links help support DougCo Drop and keep it free for readers. Send an email to [email protected] if you're interested in sponsoring the newsletter.
If someone forwarded this to you and you want local updates like this every week, subscribe here! Looking for even more Castle Rock-specific events and stories? Subscribe to our sister newsletter, Castle Rock Crew.
