The problem with virtually every new shopping center is monotony—they rarely offer anything more than a duplicate of the same stores six miles down the road. FlatIron Crossing is trying to avoid walking the same path. Faced with a long-vacant anchor spot, the mall has replaced it with trendy clothing store Forever 21 and The Container Store. It’s a nice start at revitalizing the mall, but it will take much more work before FlatIrons is chic again. Not that owners aren’t trying. Plans were introduced last month to pave a road through the Village, move a few stores to better locations, pump up visibility and add a boutique hotel. This brings a boatload of optimism, but in a tough market with tons of competition sprouting up, it will take more than a facelift. We’re looking for more great restaurants to compliment Bloom and Village Tavern, and more shopping options unique to Broomfield.

[What’s Next] With construction underway, we wait to see what other businesses come aboard before passing judgment on the new development plan.

October 2008