Skip to content

Getting to know who’s behind the business

For the past decade, The Connection has kept readers abreast of business happenings in the community through the “Business Briefs” section of the newspaper and though advertising partnerships.  In this “Behind the Business” segment, we introduce the individuals who are the inspiration behind some of our local businesses and share insights about their interests, passions, hobbies and families.  We appreciate their willingness to allow us to tell their stories, and we hope you enjoy getting to know them better.

Women owners at Pines Sports Bar & Grill

By CPC | May 1, 2024

  Two Indian women, Priya Kumar and Minakshi Ashra, who had been on different career paths, are now embarking on a new journey together as co-owners of The Pines Sports…

MaKing friends and business partners

By CPC | April 1, 2024

Finding an honest and trustworthy contractor during any commercial or residential remodeling project can be daunting. Keith Rodenberger knows it all too well, and as the owner of MaK Construction,…

Two generations of an out of sight business

By CPC | February 27, 2024

The Grace family have a shared vision and passion for their local business, Out of Sight Closets and Garages, which helps the families of Castle Pines, Castle Rock and the…

The integrity and passion of Clarity Group

By CPC | January 29, 2024

The Clarity Group (Clarity) on Village Square Drive is a different kind of therapy clinic. Owner Whitney Herrmann is committed to excellence in mental health therapy. She recruited a team…

Ink to paper

By CPC | November 27, 2023

The invention of the printing press is attributed to Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith and inventor, in the 1400s.  His invention revolutionized mass book production and the dissemination of information. …

Teen wiz kids and teacher create tech success

By CPC | September 27, 2023
black and white photo of group of people

During the height of the pandemic, there was a shortage of not only hygiene products like hand sanitizer and toilet paper, but schools faced a shortage of teachers.  After his…

Each piece is a masterpiece

By CPC | September 1, 2023
couple poses for photo

      It is not often in these modern times that one gets invited over for afternoon tea or snacks and delightful conversation.  Charlene Chorn is such a host. …

Pino’s new owner and chef

By CPC | July 27, 2023
two men in front of restuarant

Jim Collin’s book Good to Great speaks of transitioning a business from good to great by having “disciplined people, disciplined thought, and disciplined action.”  The first step to greatness according…

Bliss Bouquet Bar

By CPC | July 1, 2023
photo of flower bouquet on table

Blooming people’s purpose In 2005, Professor Jeannette Haviland-Jones of Rutgers University published a scientific finding that flowers are an environmental approach to positive emotions.  Empirically speaking, flowers have power.  Lindsey…

Christian Brothers Automotive

By CPC | May 1, 2023

The Golden Rule in action Soft hands can make all the difference between success and failure in any business. Christian Brothers Automotive in Castle Rock owners Steve and Andrea Peterson…

Jimmy’s Photography

By CPC | March 1, 2023

Candid cameraman connecting singles After 34 years as a professional photographer – 19 of which have been in a studio in the Village Shops – Jimmy Dozer’s focus continues to…

Drinkwine Family Mortuary

By CPC | October 1, 2022

Watering the garden of life Jennifer Drinkwine Rexroat is an exceptional woman of strength, character and compassion for people who need it the most.  She and her husband, Karl, are…

Bubbles Liquor World

By CPC | September 1, 2022

The Spirit of a Family Man Josh Kimsey is a busy guy. President of Bubbles Liquor World in Castle Rock and involved in philanthropy and many activities, especially with his…

Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood

By CPC | August 1, 2022
Photo of the Huggard family: Sean and Jennifer with children Benjamin, Gracyn, and Avery at Sanibel Island, Florida.

The man behind the oyster Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood opened its second location in Lone Tree earlier this year, and it has become as popular as the flagship…

Castle Pines Dental Care

By CPC | July 1, 2022

Celebrating 20 Years in Castle Pines Castle Pines Dental Care will celebrate 20 years in the community in August. Dr. Matt Rolfson attributes the success of the business to personal…

Trestles Coastal Cuisine

By CPC | June 1, 2022
Photo of Verity Warriner (left) is the new head chef and Patrick Espinoza (right) is second in command.

Next generation of chefs There’s a new generation of chefs at local favorite Trestles Coastal Cuisine in The Village at Castle Pines Shops. Owners Mimi and Jose Espinoza are proud…

State Farm – Nick Ainsworth

By CPC | May 1, 2022

A Salt-of-the-Earth Renaissance Man Nick Ainsworth is an insurance agent, business owner and the quintessential Renaissance man. Under the banner of State Farm Insurance, Ainsworth hung out his shingle on…

Castle Pines Acupuncture and Wellness

By CPC | April 1, 2022
Photo of the Muncy family (left to right): Vonda, Ellie, Cassie and Curtis

Making a difference, holistically By Hollen Wheeler; photos courtesy of Vonda Muncy Acupuncturist Vonda Muncy is a businesswoman, outdoor enthusiast and wellness guru. For more than five years, she has…

King Soopers – Dennis Fossceco

By CPC | March 1, 2022

Connecting with customers and grateful for community   Dennis Fossceco has held several roles in his 30 years with King Soopers, but being the store leader at the Castle Pines…

Classy Nails

By CPC | February 1, 2022

New Ownership, New Energy By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos Classy Nails in the City of Castle Pines has a new owner. Holly Shirmenzagas acquired the day spa in November 2021 and…

Cielo at Castle Pines

By CPC | January 1, 2022
Photo of Roz Schroeder stands with her son Todd Nelson and step-daughter Stacy Harris.

A family business built on heart Local business owner Roz Schroeder is a wife, mother, grandmother, outdoor enthusiast and a proud resident of The Village at Castle Pines since 1999.…

Woodhouse Day Spa – Castle Pines

By CPC | December 1, 2021
Photo of friends for 20 years, Desiree Moore (left) and Amber Long (right).

Friendship leads to a flourishing business Longtime friends Desiree Moore and Amber Long have been the business owners of The Woodhouse Day Spa located in the Village Shops in Castle…

City of Castle Pines City Clerk Tobi Duffey

By CPC | October 1, 2021
Photo of Tobi Duffey Castle Pines City Clerk

A get it done attitude leads to a successful career By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Tobi Duffey For most residents, election season begins when temperatures drop, candidate signs…

Castle Pines Chamber Events Director Whitney Shank

By CPC | September 1, 2021
Photo of Whitney Shank

Bringing the party to the party By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Whitney Shank Colorado native and Castle Pines resident for nearly 17 years, Whitney Shank intended on being a…

Castle Pines Family Practice & Urgent Care

By CPC | July 29, 2021
Photo of Doctors Mark and Heidi Christensen

By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Christensen family Although the address has remained the same for decades, the name and faces behind the urgent care practice at 7280 Lagae…

Rock Solid Sports Recovery

By CPC | July 1, 2021

A family business By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Coufal family Physical therapy student at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Ryan Coufal, got more than he bargained for…

GreenEarth Cleaners

By CPC | June 1, 2021
Photo of GreanEarth Cleaners owners Derek Blaha and his father, Joe,

A father and son endeavor By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Derek Blaha Father and son Joe and Derek Blaha have been involved in various aspects of the laundry and…

Castle Rock Eye Wear

By CPC | May 1, 2021
Photo of Jim and Charlotte Mattox

Adventure-seeking enthusiasts By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Charlotte Mattox Not long after Charlotte and Jim Mattox moved to Colorado from Florida 14 years ago, they became involved in community…

The Exchange Coffee + Conversation in The Canyons

By CPC | April 1, 2021
Photo of Dana Jevarjian and her dog, Benji, on the porch swing outside The Exchange Coffee + Conversation

Dana Jevarjian and the complexities of boutique management Her Linkedin profile says “Club Manager / Director of Lifestyle & Events at BlueStar Resort & Golf. However, that doesn’t seem to…

Castle Pines Cleaners

By CPC | March 1, 2021
Photo of Kay and Jack Yi

Simple pleasures and work Article and photo by Kathy Fallert Jack and Kay Yi stay very busy with dry cleaning and wet cleaning. The second owners of Castle Pines Cleaners,…

Jimmy and Lasinda Crane – Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant

By CPC | January 1, 2021
Photo of Jimmy and Lasinda Crane who enjoy traveling.

Italian simplicity with a rustic touch By Kathy Fallert, photos courtesy of Lasinda Crane October 1, 2020 was a special day for Jimmy and Lasinda Crane, owners of Cranelli’s Italian…

Debbi Haynie – Castle Rock Senior Activity Center

By CPC | December 1, 2020
Photo of Debbi Haynie’s favorite activities – hosting a senior mystery trip

Crafter discovers her career in a most serendipitous way Debbi Haynie, 19-year resident of the Stonecroft neighborhood in Castle Pines, has lived in many places throughout the United States –…

Dave Whalen, Country Club at Castle Pines

By CPC | November 1, 2020

Enjoying all that Colorado has to offer By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of the Whalen family Few transplants have embraced the Colorado lifestyle as quickly and enthusiastically as Dave Whalen.…

Mark Brinkerhoff, Brinkerhoff Hospitality

By CPC | October 1, 2020
Mark Brinkerhoff with his father

Adventures in life and in the kitchen By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Jo Brinkerhoff Mark Brinkerhoff’s passion for hospitality runs deep, with roots in Douglas County that have brought…

Dr. Randy Snook, Advanced Integrative Medicine

By CPC | September 1, 2020
Photo of the Snooks at Turkey Rock Trot in 2019

Nontraditional works for them By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Julie Snook   Dr. Randy Snook, a 24-year resident of Glen Oaks and his wife of 18 years, Julie Snook,…

Mike Hernandez, The Office Co.

By CPC | August 1, 2020
Photo of owner Mike Hernandez very hands-on at work.

The kitchen is his office By Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Hernandez family Born in Southern California, Mike Hernandez moved to Guadalajara, Mexico when he was just a baby.…

Brandon Nudd, Castle Rock Adventist Hospital

By CPC | July 1, 2020
Photo of Brandon Nudd

At the hospital helm By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Brandon Nudd     Relative newcomer to Douglas County, resident Brandon Nudd moved to Colorado in 2018 to become the…

Berg Haus

By CPC | June 1, 2020

Welcome to the community Article and photos by Shaun Kernahan Bruce Ringgenberg, majority owner and manager of Berg Haus, Castle Pines newest bar and grill is no stranger to opening…

Kim Heidemann, Union An American Bistro

By CPC | April 1, 2020
Photo of husband Anthony with Union owner and chef Kim Heidemann.

Around the world to the kitchen By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Kim Heidemann was originally a chef and one of six partners at Union An American Bistro located in Castle…

Daniel Rosacci, Tony’s Meats & Market

By CPC | March 1, 2020
Photo Daniel Rosacci Tony's Meats

Growing up Rosacci style By Kathy Fallert; photo by Terri Wiebold and courtesy of the Rosacci family       Daniel Rosacci, the 55-year-old CEO and president of Tony’s Meats…

Scott Ulrich, Golden Flame Hot Wings

By CPC | February 1, 2020
Photo of Scott Golden owner of Golden Flame Hot Wings

Football and hot wings: A family tradition Article and photos by Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Ulrich family Lincoln is not only Nebraska’s capital city, on Saturdays in the…

Terri Wiebold, The Castle Pines Connection

By CPC | January 1, 2020
Photo of Terri Wiebold Firefighter

Sharing a little good news By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Terri Wiebold Owner and publisher of The Castle Pines Connection, Terri Wiebold, lives in Parker but calls the Castle…

Stefanie Palko, Copperfalls Spa

By CPC | December 1, 2019

Natural beauty and nature By Susan Helton; photo courtesy of Stefanie Palko Stefanie Palko, owner and president of Copperfalls Aveda Spa and Salon, founded the company roughly 20 years ago.…

Tim Clark, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty

By CPC | November 1, 2019

A blast of a journey By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Jimmy Dozer and Tim Clark As vice president and managing broker of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (LIVSIR), Tim Clark…

Dr. Jeremy Williams, Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery

By CPC | October 1, 2019

A mission of change By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Williams family Dr. Jeremy Williams, a Colorado native and resident of The Village, is co-owner of Park Meadows Cosmetic…

Gary Torscher, Castle Pines North Wine & Spirits

By CPC | September 1, 2019

The Torscher bunch By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Cheryl Torscher Colorado native Gary Torscher is co-owner of Castle Pines North Wine & Spirits. His sister-in-law Tammy Sloat is his…

Lacee Hill, Castle Pines Jewelers

By CPC | August 1, 2019

Family and change, jewelry and fishing By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Lacee Hill Lacee’s favorite place to fish is the San Juan River in New Mexico, although the trout…

Nicole Moses, The UPS Store

By CPC | July 1, 2019

Balance and connections By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Nicole Moses Nicole Moses, owner of The UPS Store in Castle Pines, had originally planned to be a teacher. But during…

Dr. Lisa Fox, Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry

By CPC | June 1, 2019

Passion for children’s oral health and embroidery By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Fox family Dr. Lisa Fox is owner of Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry and two other pediatric…

Dr. Andrew Dunbar, Castle Pines Orthodontics

By CPC | May 1, 2019

Finding family, loving orthodontics and golf By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Dunbar family Dr. Andrew Dunbar – owner of Castle Pines Orthodontics and Castle Rock Orthodontics – and…

Alberto Granados, Las Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

By CPC | April 1, 2019

Being his own boss By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Granados family Alberto Granados, owner of Las Fajitas Mexican Restaurant in Castle Pines, has worked in the restaurant business…

Neal Minarick, Duke’s Steakhouse

By CPC | March 1, 2019

Loving the restaurant business By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Minarick family Neal Minarick, Duke’s Steakhouse owner and general manager, grew up raising beef and dairy cattle in Nebraska.…

Woody Howarth, Sterling Custom Homes

By CPC | February 1, 2019

Craftsman inspired by family By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Howarth family The Castle Pines Connection and Woody Howarth, builder/designer and president of Sterling Custom Homes, Inc., have a…

Pam Randall, The Bundt Shoppe

By CPC | January 1, 2019

Heart of the bundt business By Susan Helton; photo courtesy of the Randall family Pam Randall, The Bundt Shoppe owner, is fond of many Bundt flavors. “But my all-time-go-to-when-I-want-to-eat-the-whole-thing flavors…