The Balcoms are about to open TWO stalls at the new food hall in Longmont, which will take them to three unique menus in Boulder County. Today, they tell us how they got to the point where they could be so ambitious. It's a wild ride that starts with a young man who hates school and a young woman with an enthusiasm for cooking shows and food magazines. Their story winds through fine dining and massive wine lists before it lands in Boulder County. I hope you enjoy their story and their passion...

Our biggest crowd yet! We had a really great time seeing everyone as we talked about eels fighting crustaceans, ebikes, and the state of public schools. We were even joined by Dryland owner, Nels Wroe, who has the best shirts and puns we have ever experienced. Pure legend. And, there's a bit of an ambush at the end... Grab a drink and tune in! (Oh, but not if you're at work or driving or anything like that). Thanks to Nels from Dryland Distillers for hosting us!!!! Thanks to Andy Eppler...

Join us for a live recording event at Dryland Distillers on April 4 at 5:30 PM!! Today we are joined by Shakeel Dalal of LAUNCH: Longmont Housing - a local coalition focused on housing. Well, housing, affordability, sustainability, environmental impact... Like, a holistic approach to housing and community. It doesn't have to be scary! Before all that, though, we talk Longmont. You know, restaurants and 4/20. Oh, and lent gets a mention, too. So, Brady talks fried fish and Annie talks...

Today, Annie and Brady talk business news in Longmont! Boy, we really need to do some kind of roundup, because there's a heap of openings, closings, and sales. About those openings, we've also got Chef Larry who is currently building out Red Cedar Bistro, a Mediterranean restaurant on Main. He's set to open in the next few months, and I can tell you after our chat we left hungry. Thanks to Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro music.

Note: Next LIVE recording is April 4 at Dryland Distillery! It's another episode dedicated to Longmont (mostly). Some said it couldn't be done! Other's said it shouldn't be done! Well, they did it. Today, Annie and Brady are joined by a large black curtain that seems to confuse them both. They also offer the latest on Winchell's, and little "irrational" humor (as this is a pi-based math joke, it's VERY little humor.) Thanks to Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our Intro and Outro Music.

We've been brigaded! Today, the studio is invaded by u/1davide, moderator of the local Longmont subreddit. The subreddit is a place where news is shared, discussions are had, and rants are... ranted. It's also like THE place to discuss road paint, stoplight timing, and traffic accidents. Brady has been on the sub for a long time, and it was pretty cool for him to meet Davide! Thanks to Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro music.

We have huge news about one of the oldest and most recognizable buildings in Longmont. You know, it used to have the China Panda. Before that (WAAAAY before) it was Longmont's first hotel. It currently houses Java Stop... and even the Speakeasy. Speaking of, today we have Sarah Carrillo who is the founder and owner of the speakeasy. AND, she is the newest owner of the 301 Main. Yeah, she owns the whole place, and boy does she have plans. Today, we get into them. And we even talk about Cora...

Today we're joined by Amanda Maldonado of Coy Ink Studio. Are we supposed to say, "of" here? Rather, she IS Coy Ink Studio. What's more, she's a stretching enthusiast, time management expert... and a HUGE (fellow) nerd about Longmont. We thoroughly enjoyed this interview! And here is the book referenced, Between Grass and Hay. Thanks to Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro music.

First of all, sorry for the late drop. We've ben slacking. But it was worth the wait! Royalty abounds! Today (well, a week or so ago), we're joined by Macie May, the self purported Queen of Longmont. I guess that makes her a leader in more than one way, because, well, Macie basically IS the Longmont Leader. (You know, the local news source!?) Like, that's her. Just her. It's basically a one-woman job. So she reigns as queen and she leads by example. Dunno. We gotta say, we're just blown away...

Today, we've got a special live solstice spirit episode recorded at Dry Land Distillers. Like, we had a real audience and they listened and even said they liked it. So that was a nice change. What was it about? Uh, well, Annie has a drink and bares it all! She's got HEAPS of gossip about old town. She also provides an update about Longmont's swingers community (yes, for real). And speaking of swingers, we are also joined by the voice of episodes past. It's a, uh, real SPIRITED episode!...

Please come seeeeeee us this Wednesday, Dec 20 at 5:30 pm at Dryland Distillers! We will be recording live. Entertainment and value not guaranteed. Thanks to Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro music!

And we made it - the episode I mean. We didn't really even have to try that hard. What did we talk about again? Oh yeah, Brady cannot stop talking about wood. And pickleball. Boy this is all starting to sound extremely euphemistic. But, we would never do that - intentionally speak in euphemisms. In other news we talk about plowing in Longmont. Oh, and some details about Casa Lou Cardenas (9th and Main) from the vault. LIVE RECORDING COMING UP, Dec 20 at 5:30 pm at Dryland Distillery!! Come...

Today’s guest is Rachel Hunter - no, Rachel Barrantes! - of A Florae, a retail floral shop and clothing boutique at 464 Main. Oh! And downstairs there’s a vintage shop, too. Obviously, Rachel is constantly in motion, and so are her businesses which are traveling south at roughly 0.000068 miles per hour. For real, we did the math (very roughly). If unchecked, we expect Rachel and her endeavors to exit Longmont around 2053. If we’re lucky, she will leave behind 1-2 businesses. Maybe it’ll be...

This week starts with a Sidedish original: Brady does his homework! (And, Annie warms a seat at the back of the class!) Then, we talk REAL sweets stuff... massive redevelopment plans at the Sugar Mill. (*groan* that's not very good.) Charlie Woolley has a HUGE update about what's is planned over there. It's... actually super informative? Thanks to Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro music. sidedishlongmont.com/episodes/show-190-sugar-milll

Today we talk to Stevan Kukic about the push for a new performing arts center. It's not ALL we talk about, but kinda we mostly talk about that. It'll be on the ballot, which makes it oddly political for this little show. Well--it's not political in the way that things are political on Twitter or X or whatever its called these days, but it's downright heated for us. Maybe that marks a bit of a sea change for us. Wait, was there a sea change / key change pun in there somewhere? Probably! Oh, we...

Sidedish is sifting through heaps of garbage this week. Like, really. Normally we try not to be quite so trashy, but when your guest is AS GREEN as Bridget Johnson it just kind of happens. Bridget operates Green Girl Recycling and is absolutely crazy about waste diversion and recycling. She’s an engaging ball of pure energy who talks about the comfort factor of mattresses, data security, and selling TVs by the pound. Oh, and she won’t stop talking about bottles and cans. Speaking of, Brady...

Today, Annie and Brady wonder about carpet cleaning. How targeted do they make cleaning agents? Do they include some of the lesser-thought-of bodily fluids? Also, are carpet cleaners dramatically underpaid? Oh and we actually talk about Longmont from time to time, too. Thanks for Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro music. Send us your listener mail at [email protected]

Because we hear there's going to be some football. Meaning, there will be football in Boulder. It seems like kind of a big deal and people are worried about traffic. We bring it up because we hear the coach, "Mr. Prime," bought a house in Longmont. Or, at least the house is near Longmont so the news seems relevant. Don't worry, Brady's not trying to find out where this guy lives or be weird. But as you can tell this podcast will dive deep into the rivalry and legend of college ball. Also,...

This week Annie and Brady explore Longmont's JUICIEST news! Seriously, this podcast has never been juicier, not even when we mention that seafood place - you know... the one with "juicy" in its name. It might have something to do with the guest Robyn Knowlan, owner of one of Longmont's newest (healthiest) beverage bars - Wonder Press! Join us for for all the (juicy) details and for a healthy amount of sophomoric giggling. Thanks for Andy Eppler and David Cutter Music for our intro and outro...

SIDEDISH LIVE AND IN PERSON August 9, 2023 | 5:00 pm Dryland Distillery

This week, Annie and Brady learn that Longmont has a real contender in the 2023 USA Mullet Championship. Come to think of it, this week Annie and Brady learn that the 2023 Mullet Championship is even a thing. Also, there’s some WONDERFULLY JUICY news about the (former!) Ziggy’s location on Francis. And then there’s the cultural phenomenon that is BARBENHEIMER. What even is it? Why even is it? Who knows, man. Completely unrelated, this week’s vocabulary word is “portmanteau.” Thanks to...

Note: On August 9, we will be recording LIVE from Dryland Distillery at 4:00 PM. Come down to 519 Main Street to watch Brady and Annie record... and fumble with live production! Today, Annie and Brady are joined by Lauren (Wren) Stapleton of the Wolf and Wren - which is called a “greeting card shop” by google maps. But holy cow is it more than that. She bribes the hosts with some incredibly charming paper products, and BOY does it work. I even got one with a dog holding a “thank you” sign....

This week, Brady shares his opinion on dog cataract surgery and Annie keeps hers to herself. Why the secrets - what is she hiding? We may never know. Maybe a well orchestrated email campaign could break the silence? For the moment, it remains a mystery. All we really know is that she’s dropping balls. Just dropping them everywhere. There’s too many balls. Why does she have so many? Nobody knows. Oh, and we drop the big restaurant news we've been teasing. On a completely unrelated note, the...

Yeah, in Longmont. What can we say, sometimes people are gluttons for abuse… and sometimes heavy sedatives really are the answer. And YES, we’re still talking about Longmont. Of course, context is everything. And if you want context, you should maybe join Annie and Brady (and guest Jack Bestall). There’s also some talk about road danger and development, and it wouldn’t be a SideDish episode without a little traffic talk. Mentions: The St Vrain The Apology: Name: Nick/chatGPTTitle:...