Meet Erika Zierke | Bar Owner, Community Advocate & Homeschooling Parent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Zierke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
WHAT WAS YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

My husband grew up in a bar, spending many afternoons after school at small town taverns in northeast Nebraska with Grandpa Marv. With decades of experience in the service industry–from dive bars to high-end cocktail bars–opening his own spot was a natural progression. For me, the path was less direct. Even though I am my husband’s biggest cheerleader, my background was in government and politics, particularly in outreach and advocacy, and I wasn’t initially enthusiastic about owning bars. However, while these two lines of work might seem worlds apart, both center on taking care of people and building community, which is what ultimately led us to go for it.

While we do own bars, we believe our true value lies in how we serve our community through our businesses. That’s why we envisioned and created places where people come together, share their lives, and feel welcomed and valued, whether they are celebrating a milestone, seeking solace during tough times, or simply enjoying everyday moments. Our bars are where people have met new friends, gotten married, had baby showers, grieved losses, celebrated birthdays and created countless other meaningful memories.

In line with our commitment to community, we actively organize and participate in numerous community-building activities. We coordinate events with other local businesses, host neighborhood cleanups, partner with the library and schools, bring in elected officials to meet with constituents in a relaxed setting, and more.

And I couldn’t completely let go of my love for advocacy, so I brought strengths from my past work into bar ownership and extended our involvement to policy advocacy. In addition to serving on the board of directors for Downtown Englewood and previously on the board of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, I played a key role in passing the initial bill to legalize cocktails-to-go—Governor Polis even signed the legislation on our bartop! I was also appointed to the governor’s Liquor Advisory Group to help modernize the state liquor code. These efforts not only benefit our business but also support the wider hospitality industry and the communities we serve.

In essence, the thought process behind starting our own business was this: What we care about most is taking care of people. How can we blend Phil’s service industry expertise with my background in advocacy to create connection and uplift our community?

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HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

We define success through the lens of “enough.” My husband and I anchor our lives around the concept of having enough to be comfortable, happy, and fulfilled. In a world that constantly bombards us with messages about striving for more, we’ve chosen to live beneath our means and focus on what truly brings us joy and satisfaction. We live in small houses and fill our lives with big adventures.

For us, success is measured in time, love, and quality experiences. This mindset allows us to live somewhat unconventionally in tiny spaces, homeschool, travel, and support our daughter’s passion for alpine skiing.

We also measure success by how well we love others. A big part of taking care of our community is supporting our crew. We want them to feel secure, empowered, and balanced. So we structure their shifts to work three or four consecutive days per week with three or four consecutive days off. They get their schedule several months in advance, and we currently cover 100% of their health insurance. Knowing that our work has a purpose beyond profit and having “enough” are the key measures of success for us.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our bars, Englewood Grand and the nameless one at 2043 S. University, are more than just places to enjoy a drink; they are vibrant community hubs where people come to connect, celebrate, and find a sense of belonging.

I’m incredibly proud of how both bars have become an integral part of their respective communities, and our involvement in advocacy efforts underscores our dedication to supporting our industry and community.

But our journey to where we are today hasn’t been easy. When we opened our doors, we had just $2,000 to our names. Our house was on the line, our savings were drained, and we had a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. We were also grappling with the devastating loss of my mom. With not even enough money to pay the first month’s rent, our determination and belief in the power of our community kept us going. We learned to persist. Then four years later, in the face of a global pandemic, we learned to adapt. Out of love for our crew and community, we voluntarily closed our doors temporarily to help keep people safe. To cover expenses during a time when our annual income dropped by 84%, we sold t-shirts and to-go cocktails until we could resume business as usual. Through it all, our resilience has continually grown. Whatever comes our way, we keep our focus on what we value and find a way to power through.

Our story is a testament to the impact of personal and community connection. As bar owners, we want the world to know that we care less about what’s in the glass and more about the person holding it (though our bartenders do make some of the best drinks you’ll ever have). We value integrity, inclusivity, and genuine care for our community, and we believe in the power of creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and relationships flourish.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
-Breakfasts at Breakfast Queen and Trompeau
-Coffee at Kaladi
-Lunches at Grow+Gather, Fellow Traveler, Cochino Taco, and V Revolution
-Dinners at Bosphorus and Zomo
-“Watercolors and Wine” at One Barrel
-A craft class at Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-op
-Shopping at Sarah DeAngelo Jewelry
-Pampering at Arrow Beauty
-Bike riding on the South Platte River Trail
-A picnic at Belleview Park
-Water day at Pirate’s Cove
-Bowling at Moe’s BBQ
-Game night at Tabletop Tap
-Live music at the Gothic

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband Phil whose visionary, creative, and unconventional spirit guides us and keeps us steadfast in our long-term visions and values. His humor and incredible taste in music uplift me every single day. He glows in the dark, he is my rock, and our family thrives because of him.

Our daughter Fara whose unwavering sparkle reminds us of the purpose behind everything we do.

And heartfelt thanks to our friends, neighbors, and supporters who share their lives with us and help create lasting memories every time they pull up a chair at one of our bars.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/englewoodgrand/

Other: https://www.westword.com/best-of/2024/food-and-drink/best-bar-without-a-name-20273857

Image Credits
Paul Winner, Phillip Zierke