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.

New additions to Denver Premium Outlets

Two new businesses are coming to Denver Premium Outlets in April.

Korean restaurant ThirsTea Tiger and luggage store Samsonite will be the newest additions to the shopping center in Thornton off of Interstate 25, the mall’s operator Simon Premium Outlets announced.

ThirsTea Tiger will open in the Food Pavilion, across from Starbucks, offering Korean hot dogs and boba tea. It’s locally-owned and has another location in Lakewood’s Colorado Mills mall. It’s set to have a soft opening on April 1, according to ThirsTea Tiger’s social media. The grand opening is set for April 16, according to Denver Premium Outlets.

Samsonite is also expected to open April 16.

The luggage company was founded in Denver in 1910 and became a global travel company for suitcases and travel accessories. The company left its Colorado headquarters in 2005 and is currently based out of Mansfield, Mass., Hong Kong and Luxembourg.

Samsonite has open locations in the Colorado Mills mall and Outlets at Castle Rock.

Starbucks executive to take over Denver-based Smashburger

Denver’s fast-casual restaurant chain Smashburger announced Denise Nelson, a former Starbucks senior vice president of U.S. operations, will take over the company as the CEO. She’s the first woman to run the company.

Nelson’s leadership will help push the company’s culinary innovation and expand Smashburger’s footprint, according to a news release.

“With her extensive experience and proven leadership in the food and beverage industry, she is set to propel the brand into a new era of growth,” Jollibee Group President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong said in a statement.

The Philippines-based parent company — which runs Burger King and Panda Express — took over Smashburger in 2018.

“As we embark on various new brand ventures in 2024, I’m eager to support our continuous efforts to stay at the forefront of taste innovation in the industry, while collaborating with our international expansion teams to bring the joys of Smashburger to more guests worldwide.”

New small business coming to RiNo

RiNo’s outdoor shopping center made from a renovated former warehouse, Backyard on Blake, will soon be home to Flee the Flock Curated Goods.

The new small business owned by Jesse Holmes will sell home goods, barware, outdoor goods and everyday carry accessories. It’ll be one of 10 small businesses in Backyard on Blake at 3040 Blake St. and is leasing a 1,035 square-foot space, according to commercial real estate firm CBRE. The former warehouse has a coffee shop, co-working offices, artist studios, rooftop deck and courtyard garden.

“This community of small business owners shows the vibrancy of the retail market,” said CBRE senior associate Molly Bayer in a statement. “By banding together to create this community space that encourages visitors to walk around, these businesses and their owners have shown what a thriving shopping center focusing on local businesses can look like.”

The shop is set to open in early June, Holmes stated.

“I’m excited to serve the community and to join other great businesses at Backyard on Blake.”