Stanley Marketplace Marks 10 Years of Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Connection

Stanley Marketplace Celebrates 10 Years as a Community-Driven Hub in Aurora, Where More Than 50 Independent Businesses – and Nearly Half of Its Original Tenants – Reflect a Decade of Local Entrepreneurship and Connection

The 10-Year Anniversary Will Be Celebrated August 21-23 With its Main “Taste of Stanley” Event Taking Place on Saturday, August 22

AURORA, COLORADO – June 4, 2026 – As Stanley Marketplace marks its 10-year anniversary in 2026, it stands as a rare example of what sustained community investment can build: a thriving, ever-evolving hub of more than 50 independent Colorado businesses where connection, creativity and local entrepreneurship intersect. What began as a vision for a different kind of marketplace has grown into a true “third place” in Aurora – one shaped not by a single moment, but by a decade of entrepreneurs taking risks, neighbors showing up, and a community choosing to support local again and again.

In late 2016, Stanley Marketplace first opened its doors to the public with just four tenants: Stanley Beer Hall, Logan House Coffee, Cheluna Brewing Company and OPENair Academy. Over the next 12 months, it welcomed independent businesses spanning dining, retail, wellness, fitness and creative services – establishing the foundation for what Stanley is today. Now, 10 years later, over half of those original 50 tenants still call Stanley home – a powerful testament to the strength of its model and commitment to prioritizing people over scale.

More than just a marketplace, Stanley has become a neighborhood institution shaped as much by the local business owners behind its counters as the neighbors who continue to walk through its doors. For many loyal, repeat visitors, Stanley has become a central part of their lives.

“Stanley Marketplace has always been more than a place to visit – it’s a place to belong,” said founding partner Jonathan Alpert. “It’s a community that feels personal, and that sense of connection is the reason we’re still here ten years later.”

To mark this significant milestone, Stanley Marketplace invites the community to experience the energy, creativity and connection that have defined the space for the past decade through Stanley10, a series of events August 21-23. The celebrations will kick off Friday evening with live local music in the field, followed by the main “Taste of Stanley” on Saturday, where guests can explore and sample offerings from businesses throughout the building. The weekend wraps Sunday with a full day of programming including morning yoga, a silent disco, collaborations between businesses and more. Additional details of the weekend’s events will be announced over the coming months.

Looking ahead, Stanley will continue to be shaped and defined by the evolution of its businesses and community input. It remains committed to the same values that shaped its first decade supporting local entrepreneurs, fostering meaningful connections and evolving alongside the community it serves.

“Ten years in, Stanley is still evolving because it was never meant to stand still,” added Alpert. “What makes this place special is that it continues to be shaped by the people who show up: our tenants, our neighbors and anyone else who walks through our doors.”

About Stanley Marketplace

Stanley Marketplace is a vibrant third place community space housed in a repurposed 140,000 sq ft aviation manufacturing facility in Aurora, Colorado. Originally built in 1954 by aviation pioneer Bob Stanley, the building was once home to Stanley Aviation, the largest employer in Aurora during the 1950s and 60s. In 2016, the historic facility was reimagined as a collaborative marketplace grounded in community values and entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Stanley Marketplace is home to more than 50 independently owned businesses offering a unique mix of dining, shopping, fitness, wellness, creative studios, and community events. Guided by the “Stanifesto,” a vision for bringing people together and supporting positive change, Stanley has spent a decade proving that local businesses, authentic community, and shared spaces can thrive together. More information is at www.StanleyMarketplace.com. Engage with Stanley on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.