Meet Jeff Youngstrom | Owner

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

Hi Jeff, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Relish took over a Sam’s Club in what should be a prime location in our town. However, for a variety of reasons, the building had been commercially vacant for 15 years. Had we not put in the time and effort to change some of the restrictions for the property it would have likely remained vacant for another 25+ years. The city had done some extensive research to find out what people wanted to go into that location. Overwhelmingly, people wanted a place to gather. We purchased the property from Ascent Church, which still owns and resides in the other half of the building, after a 4 year slog to amend the restrictions for the property. They were very patient since they shared the vision that the city had and that we had to make this spot a gathering space for the community. Since opening in June, Relish has already hosted countless celebrations, birthday parties, retirement parties, office events, pickleball events and so many other gatherings. It is built to host. It is built for fun, gathering and community. So many people that don’t play pickleball use Relish on a daily basis as a 3rd space. What typically happens when someone visits Relish is that they take themselves on a tour from the front to the back and by the time they get to the back of the building they start to visualize how they will use the space for their next meaningful event.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Relish is likely the largest food hall and pickleball facility anywhere covering almost 80,000 square feet of indoor space. The food hall and pickleball are fully separate areas. Relish includes great conference rooms and large event gathering spaces, 19 indoor pickleball courts and 2 outdoor courts. We have a full bar and fantastic coffee shop plus 8 food concepts. We have great outdoor spaces with a heated covered patio, outdoor stage for live music and turf for outdoor movie nights. What sets Relish apart in the marketplace are our people; seven local chefs creating their own businesses within Relish as well as our pickleball, food hall and event staff directing great programming and events daily. Whatever you imagine your event to look like, we can pull it off all in one space and with minimal effort from you.

It took us almost 6 years to create Relish and we think we’ve created a space worthy of that time and effort. It was never easy and we often wondered how we would get through all the obstacles. I’m so glad we did not give up.

For most people that visit Relish they first notice the incredible quality of the space. We wanted the quality to reflect what we think people deserve; an incredible experience put together with great effort, just for them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Relish! In fact we get that a lot. So many people tell us that when their family or guests get in town they bring them to Relish. After bringing them here, we get emails and texts asking us if we’ll franchise or if we have any advice for replicating Relish in their town. Who doesn’t want a place built with them and their family in mind?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It has taken hundreds of people to create Relish, so it will always be a community space because it took a community to make it happen. There are some special people that have carried us on the journey that you should know. First, my wife Amy put up with a long journey of a concept she couldn’t quite visualize but believed in. Relish would not exist without our general manager, Tory Leggat, who never gave up when the days were boring waiting around or when they were too short with an endless list of things to improve on. Our pickleball community convinced us to pivot from a previous concept to the amazing growing sport of pickleball! Swan Dive Design Studios and Hillier Collins Architectural Design led the incredible design and look people enjoy every day. Our vendors had faith and took a huge risk to join a concept they hadn’t seen. Lenin’s Wood Fired Pizza, Soup Smith, Sabor Y Salsa, Salt & Vinegar, Magic Food Bus, ArepasCO and coming soon, Shari Bowls. These are all run by amazing local people with a passion for great food and hospitality. I wish I could list everyone here but it truly took a village to raise a vacant Sam’s Club.

Website: www.visitrelish.com

Instagram: relishagoodtime

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089325006929

Image Credits
Brandon Lied – Steel Rock Films