Denver space company gets snapped up

A prominent aerospace small-satellite manufacturer based in the Denver area is set to be acquired.

MDA Space announced it has inked a deal to acquire Lafayette-based Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million from Raytheon, according to a June 19 news release.

Blue Canyon Technologies, founded in 2008 and acquired by Raytheon in 2020, now operates two manufacturing facilities in Lafayette and Boulder. The company has grown to about 400 employees, according to MDA Space.

The company has launched more than 85 spacecraft and has more than 3,500 products in orbit, according to the news release.

MDA Space, a Canada-based space and defense company, said the acquisition will help it meet growing U.S. government demand for defense-related space missions. The company noted that Blue Canyon Technologies last year unveiled its Saturn-400 spacecraft platform, which features rapid reorientation capability enabled by a control moment gyroscope — a feature that could play a significant role in supporting President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome initiative.

The company also said this deal would help grow its presence within Colorado’s aerospace hub, one of the largest in the nation.

“The acquisition of Blue Canyon Technologies is expected to accelerate our growth strategy by increasing our U.S. market opportunities with highly complementary capabilities, local manufacturing footprint and a skilled and specialized talent base,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, in a news release.

The deal is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval.

Cherry Creek Shopping Center’s recent openings

The Cherry Creek Shopping Center has added a wave of new shops and restaurants this year. Since February, the mall, located in one of Denver’s busiest commercial districts, has opened eight new storefronts, including several brands that expanded or renovated their spaces.

New arrivals include Captain Crêpes, Kim Kardashian’s Skims, Gucci, BYLT Basics, Swarovski and lululemon. H&M reopened its renovated store on May 21, and the coastal Mexican restaurant Ash & Agave opened April 3. More openings are on the way.

Milk Jelli, a bath and body products retailer, is scheduled to open in July. Ear-piercing studio Studs and homeware store Crate & Barrel are expected to open in the fourth quarter. Rothy’s, which sells shoes, bags and accessories made from recycled materials, plans to open in the second quarter of next year.

RiNo office building attracts new coffee and cocktail spot

The Steel House building in Denver’s River North neighborhood will soon be home to Amoret, a new café and cocktail bar from the founder of Hello Darling and Flora.

Business partners Kurt Henkel and Daniel Masters, who created those two Denver cafés, have signed a 2,300-square-foot lease at Steel House, the luxury office building at 3100 Brighton Blvd., according to developers Beacon Capital Partners and Elevation.

Amoret will offer specialty coffee, a curated food menu, cocktails and an all-day, design-forward gathering space. The opening is planned for the fall.

The café and bar will seat up to 80 people and blend French Nouveau and contemporary design elements, incorporating sculptural forms, varied textures and warm lighting.

“Everything I build is rooted in creating spaces that bring people together through thoughtful design, hospitality and atmosphere,” Masters said. “The space at Steel House felt like the right place to create something lasting for the RiNo neighborhood, a place designed for connection, creativity and community throughout the day.”

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].