Talk of the Town-Denver

Summary:
Quality of the coffee:  Excellent; some fair trade beans; local roasters
Ownership:  Independently-owned
Friendliness of the baristas:  Super friendly
Hipness factor:  Not very
Parking:  Good.  There is a parking lot out front
Seating:  Excellent.  Comfortable tables and chairs high and low, a coffee bar and appropriately spaced seating for private conversations
Free wi-fi

This is a newly-decorated, more modern establishment with a homey feel that is about two years old.  It is super clean and neat.  With faux hardwood floors, and wainscoting, it also boasts a pine coffee bar area with a granite countertop.  The seating is very comfortable with tables, low and high, appropriately spaced for private conversations.  There are lovely photographs on the wall for sale.  The space looks out to a parking lot with a view of a suspicious massage parlor, Taste of Philly and Big O tires.  Coffee house rock from XM plays softly in the background.

The coffee is from two local roasters:  Novo is the one for espresso.  Most importantly, it is delicious.  I ordered a soy latte and the espresso was nice and dark with the soy heated to perfection.  The barista took the extra time to decorate my latte with a pretty flower.

I visited the shop at about 3:00 pm on a weekday.  From the Ground Up had about 10 patrons visit during my stay.  Every single patron stayed for awhile.  It's that kind of place.  It is very inviting.  There was no particular age group for the shop.  On one end of the spectrum was a young family with two small children drinking hot chocolate and on the other were two 60+ gentlemen.  Everyone seemed to know the barista.  The owner came in who lives in the area and was very friendly.  Several people seemed to know her as well.

From the Ground Up is a locals' coffee shop.  Part of the reason is that you have to know it's there to find it.  The only signage faces Colorado Blvd and says "The Coffee Shop".  The local areas are University Hills where the owner lives  and Observatory Park where I live.  Having said that, it's well worth the trip to find it, in the tiny strip mall next to Big O tires.  It would be a great pulling off place when the traffic on Colorado Blvd is really bad, or if you are in the mood for a non-Starbucks, Cheers kind of atmosphere.  I'll definitely go back.

In short I highly recommend this coffee shop for its delicious coffee, friendly local atmosphere, excellent seating for private conversations and easy parking.