Welcome to the Denver Gazette’s Metro Moves. You’ll get the latest metro Denver openings, closings, hiring and promotion news here. To submit your company’s news, drop an email to bernadette.berdychowski@denvergazette.com.

A Littleton furniture store to close after nearly 50 years

ZOLi Contemporary Living, a local furniture store founded in 1976, is shutting down, the owners announced last week.

The showroom featuring modern and contemporary European furniture announced it was closing due to economic conditions, citing a “steep decline” in foot traffic and tariffs.

New tariffs “reshaped the cost structure of our products” and made the closure unavoidable, the announcement said.

“This has been one of the hardest choices we’ve ever had to make,” said Avi Brown, owner of ZOLi Contemporary Living, in the press release. “We are incredibly grateful to our customers who have trusted us with their homes over the last five decades. Your loyalty and passion for modern design have meant the world to us.”

The store was originally named the Danish Design Center in the 1970s and later expanded into a 30,000-square-foot space in 2000 at 8330 South Colorado Blvd. It took the name ZOLi Contemporary Living in 2017.

The store will launch a closing sale beginning Oct. 1. The store did not provide a closing date, but says it plans to shut down near the end of the year.

Ace Pickleball Club to open in Aurora next week

Ace Pickleball Club, the fast-growing franchise, is set to open in Aurora next week.

The new pickleball membership-based club will be at the Arapahoe Crossings Shopping Center at 6626 S. Parker Road. It’s set to fully open on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The franchise said it’s opening in Aurora to cater to the growing demand of pickleball players, the number of which has been booming since the pandemic as the sport has been seen as an easier and cheaper alternative to tennis.

The rapid rise has led to many who can be frustrated with waiting in long lines or having to reserve courts to play.

Ace Pickleball Club said it will have open play all day for members and doesn’t require reservations in advance.

“Pickleball really is a sport for everyone, and we’re so excited to share it with the Aurora community,” said Liz Tanji, franchise owner, in a press release. “From first-time players to those looking to refine their game, Ace Pickleball Club offers a place to learn, grow and connect while having fun.”

First Interstate BancSystem names new co-chief banking officer

Montana-based First Interstate BancSystem hired Chris Shepler as its new co-chief banking officer. Shepler began Sept. 10.

He will split his time between Billings, Mont. and Denver, according to the company.

Shepler joined Co-CBO Lorrie Asker at First Interstate. He has more than 30 years of experience in commercial, business, and wealth banking, the bank said.

The new co-chief came from Wells Fargo, where he was a managing director and national commercial banking region coverage executive. Before that, he had senior executive roles at HSBC and Bank Of America. Shepler graduated from the University of Southern California and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Adminstration.

“Chris is a dynamic and visionary leader with a deep understanding of the banking landscape and a passion for building inclusive, high-impact teams,” said Jim Reuter, President and CEO of First Interstate, in a press release. “His strategic mindset and operational rigor will be instrumental as we continue to evolve our business and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

First Interstate is a community bank that has more than 300 branches that service Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming,