East Boulder’s new East & Co is not merely a new restaurant. They call themselves a “full-day hospitality destination” and for good reason. They’re also a coffee bar, cocktail lounge, deli counter, marketplace, gameroom, and event space that can host twelve or two hundred.
Walking in, it feels like entering the lobby of a boutique hotel, complete with plenty of sleek lines and beautiful finishes. Because of that, crossing the threshold is an invitation to embrace the vacation mindset: enjoy the latte, buy the souvenir, and maybe order ‘one more’ glass of wine.
All of that is by design. The owners set out to create a place for the people of Boulder to gather, connect, and recharge.
“East Boulder had everything except a living room,” says Josh Dinar, Co-Founder of Working Title Group. “We set out to design a place that moves with you through the day. Where you could enjoy a morning Ozo latte, a working lunch meeting, and a small plate and craft cocktail at the end of the day.”
Continuing with the hotel vibes, you can enjoy that cocktail or meal within the more obvious dining area or can order to a seat by the fireplace or outside on the terrace, complete with lawn games and the Jolly Trolley.
Because of that flexibility, the space plays host to all sorts of people and groups, from couples and young families to coworkers and book clubs.
Gigante says that he can tell it’s already become a part of people’s habits, whether they’re stopping in for coffee every morning or doing frequent team lunches or happy hours. Some regulars are even hosting their own events, like a pilates studio owner who’s approached them about doing outdoor classes and a matchmaking group who put on a singles happy hour.
“The space becomes the inspiration for building community,” says Dinar. “It’s starting to feel like it belongs to the neighborhood rather than to us. That’s when you know it’s working, and it’s a really gratifying feeling.”
In the market, they’ve partnered with Boulder County Farmers Market to curate the offerings. You’ll find sourdough crackers from Full Stop. Bakery, chocolates from NOCO Chocolates, honey from Boulder Valley Honey, etc.
“The people who make the products have become family,” says Dinar. “Everything’s local, and everything’s delicious.”
This is only the first iteration of the market, and it will soon expand to have artisan-made goods from local artists and more.
The menu also evolves seasonally, based on what’s good locally and what people are gravitating towards. Their goal is that there’s always something new to try and enjoy.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a powerhouse team behind the space. Working Title Food Group, known also for River and Woods and the Michelin-recognized Ash'Kara Unorthodox Cuisine, joined forces with Greg Topel and his team at EVG Hospitality, who’ve led the opening and day-to-day operations. Topel and his team also established and operated Stella's Cucina in Boulder along with Parlor KC in Kansas City.
“It's a group with a lot of range and a shared point of view about hospitality,” says Dinar.
Currently, they’re open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Explore more at EastandCo.com or @eastandcoboulder on Instagram and TikTok.