The new buzz: Crema Coffee House makes a home in NoDo

When Noah Price moved DVLP Clothing to Denver from Durango in 2007, he drove up and down every street until spotting a “For Rent” sign in the warehouse district near Five Points. Drawn to the rich history of the area, Price and the rest of the DVLP crew settled in quickly to the already transitioning neighborhood (these days referred to as NoDo, or northern downtown).

Price worked diligently with partners Rustin Coburn and Mike Ossell for five years to establish DVLP as a lifestyle brand—up until last fall, when Price decided to trade fashion for food, opening Crema Coffee House (2862 Larimer St., 720-235-2995) just a few blocks away from the DVLP warehouse. “It just came to a point when I realized I didn’t have time for both,” the 28-year-old says. “Running one on its own is tough. I didn’t want to hurt DVLP with my lack of time. I had been looking for a good coffee shop in Denver for a long time—this neighborhood needed it.”

Businesses like Crema have been an impetus for growth in northern downtown—the old stomping grounds of the likes of Jack Kerouac—along with spots like the Larimer Lounge and the Walnut Room. Price and Ossell renovated Crema from a 400-square-foot garage, using mostly found objects. “The metal on the outside of the building is from an old refrigerator,” Price explains. “The front door is from an old school building. Everything aside from food-grade stuff is recycled or reused material.”

It’s commonplace to see Price sitting like a sphinx on one of the old red theater seats outside of Crema—a space he’s established as a creative crux for the network of acquaintances he’s acquired throughout his years in the snowboard, fashion, and coffee industries. Price’s demeanor is surprisingly calm for a coffee man. He sits, basking in the Colorado sunshine, watching luxury vehicles from the shop down the street circle the block, chatting up patrons who drop by.

“It’s awesome,” he confesses. “I get to hang out with my friends all day and drink coffee.” No doubt—way better than driving up and down the streets of Denver, looking for a sign.