COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The culinary landscape of Colorado Springs underwent a significant transformation on Tuesday, October 27, as Homegrown Tap & Dough officially opened its doors at 5710 S. Carefree Circle. This opening is not merely the addition of another eatery to the city’s burgeoning food scene; it represents the first foray into the Colorado Springs market for the Denver-based Gastamo Group and serves as the seventh location for the popular Homegrown brand. Situated near the bustling intersection of North Powers Boulevard and South Carefree Circle, the establishment brings a blend of artisanal Italian-inspired cuisine and a deep-seated commitment to local military history.
The launch of the 6,000-square-foot facility is the culmination of three years of planning and construction, signaling a high-stakes investment in the El Paso County region. By combining large-scale hospitality with community-focused philanthropy, Homegrown Tap & Dough aims to establish itself as a neighborhood anchor in one of the fastest-growing corridors of the city.
Main Facts: A New Anchor for the North Powers Corridor
The new Homegrown Tap & Dough is a powerhouse of local employment and hospitality capacity. The restaurant is designed to accommodate 215 guests within its meticulously designed interior, while an expansive patio offers seating for an additional 106 patrons. This scale reflects the Gastamo Group’s confidence in the Colorado Springs market, which has seen a surge in demand for premium casual dining options.
Operationally, the opening has provided a significant boost to the local economy through the creation of 104 new jobs. This workforce is led by Kelley Compton, who makes history within the organization as Gastamo Group’s first managing partner. The leadership structure suggests a move toward more localized ownership and accountability, ensuring that the restaurant maintains a "neighborly" feel despite being part of a larger hospitality group.
The menu remains true to the brand’s roots, focusing on high-quality, hand-tossed pizzas, robust pasta dishes, and a variety of shareable starters. Recognizing the diverse dietary needs of modern diners, the kitchen offers extensive gluten-free and vegetarian options. Complementing the food is a curated selection of Colorado craft beers and a suite of handcrafted cocktails. Notably, the Colorado Springs location is pioneering a new "late-night" happy hour for the brand, running from 8 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday, in addition to the standard 2–6 p.m. window. This move is aimed at capturing the late-evening demographic and providing a social hub for local residents and service members.
Chronology: From Vision to Grand Opening
The journey to the October 27 opening was a rigorous three-year process. According to Gastamo Group executives, the project was one of the most ambitious and complex in the company’s history. The site selection at 5710 S. Carefree Circle was strategic, placing the restaurant in a high-traffic area that bridges residential neighborhoods with commercial hubs.
The development phase began with a complete "gutting" of the original building on the property. This wasn’t a simple cosmetic renovation; it was a total redevelopment. The Gastamo Group collaborated with the renowned architecture firm HSU Office to reimagine the space. The architectural vision focused on creating a seamless flow between the indoor dining room and the outdoor environment. To achieve this, the team expanded the original patio footprint and added several new exterior structures that give the building a modern, industrial-meets-mountain-chic aesthetic.
Throughout the three-year timeline, the developers faced the challenges of transforming a dated structure into a state-of-the-art restaurant capable of handling high-volume service. The final stages of the chronology involved the installation of custom art pieces and the rigorous training of the 100-plus staff members, culminating in the Tuesday morning ribbon-cutting that welcomed the first guests of Colorado Springs.
Supporting Data: Design with a Historical Soul
Beyond the statistics of square footage and seating capacity, the true depth of the restaurant lies in its interior design, which functions as a living museum of Colorado’s military and mountain heritage. The Gastamo Group commissioned Colorado-based artist Dolan Geiman to create a centerpiece for the dining room: a massive American flag installation.
This artwork is not a mere reproduction but a collage of authentic history. The data and materials embedded in the piece include:
- Military Memorabilia: Items donated by local families and veterans from across the nation.
- Wartime Correspondence: The installation incorporates actual handwritten letters exchanged between overseas servicemen and their families during the World War II and Korean War eras.
- Naval History: A U.S. Navy garrison cap, donated by a retired naval officer, is featured prominently in the blue field of the flag.
- Service Insignia: The piece includes Marine Corps insignia and Naval Reserve patches.
- Cultural Artifacts: Wartime songbooks and vintage Colorado keepsakes are woven into the fabric of the art.
Furthermore, the restaurant pays homage to the legendary Tenth Mountain Division, the elite World War II Army division that trained in the Colorado Rockies. The presence of a Ski Patrol gondola and vintage Tenth Mountain Division skis serves as a reminder of the state’s pivotal role in military training and the evolution of the American ski industry. This attention to detail serves a dual purpose: it creates a unique atmosphere for diners and establishes an immediate emotional connection with the Colorado Springs community, which is home to several major military installations, including Fort Carson and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Official Responses: A Partnership of Purpose
The leadership behind the project has emphasized that the expansion is rooted in community integration rather than just corporate growth. Peter Newlin, CEO of Gastamo Group, expressed the company’s long-standing desire to enter the Colorado Springs market.
"We’ve been working on our first Colorado Springs restaurant for three years, and we’re stoked it’s finally here," Newlin stated. "We love this community and wanted to show up as a real neighbor, not just another new restaurant. Partnering with Mt. Carmel in our first full month is how we give back to the people who make Colorado Springs what it is."
This partnership with the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is a cornerstone of the restaurant’s launch strategy. Throughout the month of November, Homegrown Tap & Dough will donate $1 for every 14-inch pizza sold to the organization. Additionally, all Gastamo Group restaurants provide a 10 percent discount to active-duty service members and veterans.
Bob McLaughlin, Executive Director of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, highlighted the importance of such corporate social responsibility. "Supporting our veterans, military members, and their families takes a community, and we’re grateful to Homegrown Tap & Dough for turning a delicious meal into an opportunity to give back," McLaughlin said. "This partnership will help us connect those who have served with the support they need. Together, we’re honoring their service through action and helping ensure no veteran falls through the cracks."
Implications: Economic and Cultural Impact
The opening of Homegrown Tap & Dough in Colorado Springs carries several significant implications for the region.
1. The "Denver-to-Springs" Pipeline:
The Gastamo Group’s expansion follows a growing trend of successful Denver-based restaurant groups moving south. As the Denver market becomes increasingly saturated and expensive, Colorado Springs offers a fertile ground for expansion with a growing population and a sophisticated dining public. This move signals that Colorado Springs is no longer just a secondary market but a primary destination for high-end hospitality brands.
2. Economic Stabilization through Employment:
The creation of over 100 jobs is a substantial contribution to the local labor market. By hiring locally and appointing a managing partner from within the community, the restaurant provides career paths in the hospitality sector that go beyond entry-level positions.
3. Community-Centric Business Models:
The partnership with Mt. Carmel sets a precedent for how new businesses can enter the Colorado Springs market. In a city with a high density of veterans and active-duty personnel, a business’s success often hinges on its ability to respect and support the military community. Homegrown’s decision to integrate local military history into its physical design and its financial contributions to veteran services suggests a new standard for corporate citizenship in the area.
4. Urban Development on North Powers:
The redevelopment of the property at 5710 S. Carefree Circle contributes to the ongoing revitalization of the North Powers corridor. By taking a building that required "gutting" and transforming it into a premium destination, Gastamo Group has increased the property value and aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood, potentially sparking further investment in the surrounding area.
In conclusion, Homegrown Tap & Dough’s arrival in Colorado Springs is a multifaceted event. It is a story of architectural ambition, culinary expansion, and, perhaps most importantly, a dedicated effort to honor the history and the people of its new home. As the ovens heat up and the first pizzas are served, the restaurant stands as a testament to the power of combining business growth with a genuine sense of community.
