The Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC

Thirteen Colorado Springs-area Safeways would be sold and taken over by a new owner as part of plan by Kroger and Albertsons to sell hundreds of stores nationwide — a move the grocery chains hope will help them stave off court challenges to their planned $24.6 billion merger. A list of 579 stores to be sold in 19 states was released Tuesday by Ohio-based Kroger, which operates King Soopers groceries in Colorado, and Albertsons, based in Idaho and the owner of Safeway. In Colorado, 91 Safeway and Albertsons stores out of 105 will be sold to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers, which operates the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union supermarket brands. 

Joe Clement’s business might have been real estate, but his vocation was working with people. As the broker-owner of Re/Max Properties in Colorado Springs for nearly 40 years, which grew into one of the area's largest residential brokerages, Clement and his agents successfully helped thousands to buy and sell homes in the Pikes Peak region. Though known for his real estate expertise, Clement gained icon status in the real estate industry as an outgoing friend, engaged mentor and respected coach to colleagues locally and nationally.

This dog-friendly bar in Colorado Springs deserves a round of "a-paws" after receiving national recognition. In a recent USA TODAY 10 Best list, Pub Dog Colorado was named the No. 4 best dog bar in the United States. The "canine-centric" bar was picked by a panel of experts and voted on by readers, according to USA Today. All 10 bars feature off-leash play areas for furry-friends and cater to pooches. 

After President Joe Biden's administration designated the Mountain West’s quantum industry as one of 31 tech hubs in October, Colorado state leaders hoped the region would get on the program's shortlist for more funding — and more recognition. The second phase of the new federal tech hub program was a key part in cementing Colorado as the center of the quantum computing industry.  This week, state leaders got what they were hoping for. The Economic Development Administration announced Tuesday that Colorado's Elevate Quantum is among 12 tech hubs to receive funding for the U.S.’s most critical technologies – beating out Illinois' quantum tech hub. Elevate Quantum is a nonprofit based in Denver representing the Mountain West tech hub covering Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. It won an extra $40.5 million grant from the Biden administration.

California-based Harbor Freight Tools, the hardware and tools retailer, is doubling down on the Pikes Peak region. Harbor Freight estimates it will open two more brick-and-mortar stores in July — at 5677 Barnes Road in the Powers Pointe shopping center in Colorado Springs and at 20 Widefield Blvd. in the Widefield Square shopping center in unincorporated Security-Widefield, according to a news release and the retailer's website.

Denver’s Tattered Cover may no longer be an independent bookstore soon. Barnes & Noble, one of the country's largest booksellers, plans to buy Tattered Cover for more than $1.8 million, according to court filings Monday. Once the sale closes, it will be the end of its indie bookstore era, though the Denver institution will still keep its name, according to the deal. Barnes & Noble is expected to keep all of Tattered Cover's locations open.

With the Fourth of July almost here, you may be wondering which states exhibit the most patriotism and where does Colorado rank. According to a study by WalletHub, the personal finance website defined patriotism as: the combination of military engagement and civic engagement. Colorado ranked 6th in the study, in large part to their high rankings in the civic engagement dimension. According to the study, Colorado ranks 1st in the nation for having a U.S. history/civic education requirement. In addition, Colorado has a large number of AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers per capita, ranking 4th in the country for Peace Corps and 5th for AmeriCorps, according to WalletHub.

Planning to dabble in Colorado Springs’ rich craft beverage scene this weekend, or anytime through the end of the year, then why not score some deals and cool swag while you’re at it? Visit Colorado Springs’ Crafts & Drafts Passport is back for its eighth year, to support the local craft community by baiting the hook with an array of discounts and freebies. A host of libation purveyors, old standards and newer additions to the Springs are participating this year, most in buy one, get one style. #tourism #deals #coloradosprings

Colorado Springs officials have launched a new webpage they say will provide more transparency and clearer communication about proposed development projects across town. The new development tracker webpage includes an interactive map that shows land use applications either under review or recently approved by the city. On the map, users can find "clear direction" to locate additional project information. The webpage also consolidates information about how residents can participate in public hearings and whether there are upcoming neighborhood meetings for a proposed development, according to a recent news release from the city. As part of that process, city officials send mailers to property owners within a 1,000-foot radius of a proposed project, erect informational posters on the subject property, publicize public hearings on the city website and calendar, and notify homeowners associations and neighborhood associations about proposed projects. #development #ColoradoSprings

Southwest Airlines is scheduled to launch daily nonstop service at 10 a.m. Tuesday from the Colorado Springs Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.  Dana Schield, a Colorado Springs Airport spokeswoman, said the new route opens the airport to the East Coast and will benefit government workers and local travelers.  “This is a big win for our community,” she said. “We’re excited to have this flight in our community.” Baltimore/Washington International becomes the seventh nonstop, year-round destination from Colorado Springs, Schield said. The flight from Colorado Springs was first announced last October. #travel #tourism #coloradosprings