Foreclosure had left the 56k SF 10180 E Colfax Ave in Aurora empty. Now, the one-time furniture warehouse is getting something new for Colorado: Afrikmall, an African-oriented mall, cultural, and business center.

Northstar Commercial Partners acquired the property earlier this year. President Brian Watson (snapped with Afrikmall CEO Cobina Lartson) tells us the concept will bring activity to the area, "which will not only benefit Afrikmall but other businesses nearby.” He adds that Afrikmall will provide a place where new African business owners can pursue the American dream of creating opportunity for themselves.

Two dozen businesses, from retailers and restaurants, will locate within the mall. Owners originally from Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, and Senegal have taken space, with more from Congo, Gambia, Kenya, and other countries expected to follow. (Any good mall has free teriyaki chicken samples. We look forward to trying Congolese teriyaki.) Brian says the property will not only benefit immigrant Africans (many thousands live in the Denver metro) but “anyone else interested in building bridges of understanding and authentic relationships.”