Meet Kat Conner | Property and business owner

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

Hi Kat, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I purchased my downtown Eagle commercial building because I love small downtowns and have a vision to remodel and turn it into a thriving business. At the time there were three separate units that all desperately needed renovating. So after a year I took over one of the spaces and created Katch of the Day wine bar. There were only two restaurants within four city blocks that served food and beverages after 5pm. It was a much-needed business and I knew it would do great! I had never created a business like this before as my background is in art direction and graphic design. But I love wine! So I asked a bazillion questions and it took three months to renovate the space and open for business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have three degrees in Art and design: BA in studio art, AAs in interior design and graphic design. I made a goal for my professional career to become an art director for a nationally distributed magazine and I made that happen by the age of 27. I loved it! Eighteen years later and dozens of magazine brands under my built, I quite my day job and moved to a small town in Colorado with my family. Once there I immediately searched for an art scene. There wasn’t much of one. But I am now proud to brag about being the co-creator of our downtown 2nd Friday ARTwalks. They have been a huge success! It’s been 4 years now and it is the most profitable night for our downtown businesses. Businesses are now seeking to start in downtown just because of this monthly event.

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?
RiNo is one of my favorite places to visit in Denver. The art scene blows me away. So many murals and awesome shops, galleries and restaurants! First draft has a very impressive selection of beverages and my kids still can’t get over Sushi Rama. So much fun and delicious! The Denver zoo is a must as well as the Art Museum. We love to stay at the Born Hotel. Last time we had a fascinating view of Union Station. And we have been to Casa Bonita but we are dying to go back to check out what the new owners have done to it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
DCI, Downtown Colorado Inc is an amazing organization that helps Colorado downtowns thrive. They were extremely instrumental in not only the business I created and the nonprofit I helped create. They offer their members a wealth of resources as well as connecting downtowns together.

Website: downtowneagle.org

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downtowneagle

Image Credits
All photos by me, Kat Conner.