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 [email protected].

SODERN MOVES INTO DENVER AREA

There’s a new aerospace company in Colorado.

Sodern, a French space and defense manufacturer, announced it opened a new office in the U.S. to meet growing demand from American customers. It’ll be based out of Englewood, south of Denver.

The company specializes in optronic systems, like star trackers and space cameras. The company said it chose the Denver metro area because it was one of the major hubs for the nation’s space industry, according to a news release.

Its new base is 14,000 square feet and includes a star tracker assembly, a testing facility and a showroom and demonstration area. The company’s U.S. subsidiary will be led by Tiphaine Louradour, former CEO of Spaceflight Inc. and president of International Launch Services, as well as an executive at Centennial-based United Launch Alliance for more than a decade.

“The U.S. market is both dynamic and demanding, making it essential for us to listen continuously to our customers,” said Louradour, CEO of Sodern America, in the release. “With Sodern America and the local manufacturing of star trackers in the United States, we will be able to respond faster and with greater flexibility to our customers’ needs.”

CAFECITO EXPANDS TO DOWNTOWN

A new coffee shop opened in downtown Denver at the Emily Griffith Technical College and Emily Griffith High School.

Cafecito, a Denver-based coffee shop with a location in the Montbello neighborhood, expanded into downtown with its first franchise location at 1860 Lincoln St. The cafe opening is in partnership with the high school and technical college.

The cafe said it hired a student from the high school and aims to create career pathways and experience for future students. It will also donate a portion of coffee sales to the Emily Griffith Foundation, setting up a new scholarship to support the technical college’s students.

Cafecito was founded by husband-and-wife team Jorge Gonzalez and Elisa Morales. Gonzalez was an alumnus of Emily Griffith’s English Language Acquisition program, the announcement said.

“Seeing one of our past students open a business is always a proud moment,” said Randy Johnson, executive director of Emily Griffith Technical College, in a press release.

The coffee shop will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

“Opening a coffee shop at the Emily Griffith Campus and giving back to the community that gave so much to me is a dream come true,” Gonzalez said. “Cafecito was created as a coffee shop and gathering space, and the Emily Griffith Campus will provide the perfect location for us to support the community while also supporting Emily Griffith Technical College, the high school and the foundation.”

NEW GROCERY APP EXPANDS IN DENVER

An app designed to help people find affordable groceries is growing its presence in the Denver market.

Flashfood is now available at 17 stores owned by Leevers, such as Save-A-Lot, El Mercado and Locavore.

The app helps customers find discounted fresh food at grocery stores as retailers aim to sell their surplus, instead of throwing it away when it gets old.

“With groceries costs top of mind for so many families, expanding access to affordable, nutritious food is critical,” said Esther Cohn, Flashfood’s vice president of communications, in a news release. “Partnering with a grocer like Leevers allows us to reach more shoppers with a simple way to save on the food they already buy.”

The Denver expansion brings Flashfood to 25 stores in Colorado. The app also has a partnership with Clark’s Markets, a grocery store with a presence in Aspen, Crested Butte and Denver.