A group of Denver restaurateurs and industry leaders gathered for a dynamic “Accelerate” event, hosted by What Now Media Group, at Monolith Brewing, located at 1290 S. Broadway in Denver. The afternoon was packed with collaborative energy as the local hospitality scene came together to connect, share ideas, and gain valuable insights on navigating today’s ever-evolving market.
Monolith Brewing, an independently owned brewery in the Overland neighborhood, hosted a free event on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., welcoming dozens of operators featured on What Now Denver. Attendees, including local restaurateurs and What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners, enjoyed light refreshments and networking before diving into a presentation aimed at equipping businesses with strategies for sustainable growth.
The event was led by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group. Among the many notable attendees were local restaurant operators such as Emily Treglia, owner of Graze Craze – Fort Collins, a charcuterie concept focused on fresh, artfully arranged grazing boards, and Maria Venalonzo, co-owner and operator of Venalonzo’s Tacos, a taco spot that’s rapidly expanding with a new location on the horizon.
Other restaurateurs present included Ryan Fleming, co-owner of Joe Willy’s, a casual eatery known for its laid-back atmosphere and hearty menu; as well as Jacob Sabo and Lex Laughman, partners at Cheetah Coalition, a unique collaborative brewing initiative that unites several craft brands under one roof.
Also in attendance were Mark Berzins, owner of Billy Birch Pub & Yard, a soon-to-open beer garden in Thornton, and Jeff Lau, owner of L&Y Asian Bistro, a new Asian-inspired restaurant concept from the owner of Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles.
Additional operators who participated included Katelin Overton, owner of Bowls by KO, known for its health-forward bowl-based menu; and Chris Chiari, owner of The 420 Denver, a cannabis-friendly coffee lounge currently under development. The crowd also welcomed representation from Slice House by Tony Gemignani, Trybal, and 7 Brew Coffee.
Several of What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners also joined the event to offer guidance and share solutions designed to help restaurants thrive. These included Timothy Rosendo of Cresco Resco, who shared insights into sourcing reliable equipment and supplies to keep kitchen operations running smoothly, and Sarah Fisher of Heartland, offering support on payroll services that simplify back-office operations for growing restaurant teams.
From Global Payments – Genius Point of Sale, Lisa Shimek and Bob Albright discussed how tailored POS systems can streamline transactions and improve customer experience. Grant Miller from OpenTable was also present, highlighting tools for optimizing reservations and increasing table turnover.
Rounding out the list of preferred partners was Kurtis North from Our Town America, who shared direct-mail marketing solutions designed to attract new residents and increase foot traffic. Jon Kuit of SpotOn offered business consultation services focused on technology integration and financial performance.
The restaurant owners and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners shared valuable insights, operational highlights, and expert advice, creating an engaging and informative evening that was both enriching and beneficial for all attendees.
This led Mariah Medley to carry the conversation even deeper by discussing critical business points, such as having an exit plan and efficiently managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After Mariah and the guests shared their tips, knowledge, and concerns, everyone became quickly interested in learning more about their businesses and how they could help one another.
This event provided a valuable platform for restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and establish new connections. It’s clear that the Denver restaurant community is eager to continue innovating and evolving, and What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events provide the perfect space for these conversations to take place.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2025. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of our partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
