For more than 10 years Fountain Valley area residents have been stopping by the drive-through at Chick’s Espresso in the Fountain Valley Shopping Center for their favorite beverage on their way to work, home, school or wherever they’re off to. (update: After the successful opening of the W. Colorado location, Susan sold the Fountain Valley drive through, it's now operating as Valley Espresso)

Now West-Siders can get in on the flavor. Owner, Susan Van Dam has opened Chick’s Espresso and Boba Tea Cafe within the Gotta Love It Market at 2521 W. Colorado Avenue. You’ll find Chick’s right up front, along with products of other Gotta Love It entrepreneurs.

Gotta Love It is actually a co-op kitchen. It’s the brain child of Debbie and Jerry Downing. Now midway through their second year of operation, they’ve already helped launch several successful businesses and have some of their own preparing for next level success. The Gotta Love It Kitchen leases facilities and space to independent entrepreneurs, such as Tabor Mountain Bakehouse (a gluten free baker), Her Story Cafe (you’ve probably seen their soup truck around town), Lavender Mountain Bakery (scones, biscotti, shortbread), Tinat de Toro (catering, pastries and cooking classes), Grandma Frutosa’s Chile Salsas, Mountain Lightning Salsa, Not Just Pesto, Monse’s Taste of El Salvador and Creative Wedding Cakes of Colorado Springs.

Debbie and Jerry have some brands of their own under development as well. Their Pockitz sandwiches are best described as sandwiches baked into the bread, and have been a huge hit. You can get anything from Cheeseburger, to Philly Steak, Ham and Cheese and now a new line of breakfast Pockitz among many other varieties. Their other brands include Gotta Love Garlic and Cookie Stop.

The incubator/kitchen has only been in operation 18 months, but has already seen businesses outgrow the co-op. Myabella Cupcakes moved into their own space, right across the street. Her Story Cafe will soon be opening their own facility on Widefield Blvd. Simply Bliss Bakery and Mile High Whoopie Pie Company teamed up and opened a place on the north side of town and Afternoon Delights now has their own place in Woodland Park.

Leasing space from a facility like Gotta Love It Kitchen is a great way to try new concepts and develop products and business models without making the substantial investment in commercial space and equipment up-front. for more information on Gotta Love it, call Debbie or Jerry at 719-314-8714.

You can reach Susan at Chick’s at 719-210-1360.

Congratulations to both Chick’s Espresso & Boba Tea Cafe and Gotta Love It Kitchen on their success to date.  Both are already mulling over future expansions. Best of luck and keep us posted.