Smart Cow … not your average yogurt bar!
Steve Cooke and Robyn Kuhlmann are excited to support schools in the Castle Rock & Castle Pines area with their new yogurt shop – Smart Cow Yogurt Bar.
Article and photo by Elean Gersack
Smart Cow Yogurt Bar (Smart Cow) joins several new eateries calling Castle Rock home. Located just east of I-25 and Founders Parkway, it is located next to Five Guys, Noodles and Company, and Panera Bread. Smart Cow has local ties to Castle Pines and, most importantly, has a mission to help schools – all while serving up some very tasty yogurt.
The first Smart Cow location opened last May in Arvada. Castle Rock marks the second location and a third in Green Bay, Wisconsin is set to open in the coming weeks.
Castle Pines resident Steve Cooke is Smart Cow’s operating partner along side husband and wife co-owners, Robyn and Hans Kuhlmann. The group met in Denver at Cooke’s Italian eatery, The Garlic Knot, and became friends and ultimately business partners.
Knowing there are plenty of yogurt shops around, Robyn wanted this one to be different. Her inspiration came from her favorite shoe company, TOMS, who generously donates a pair of shoes to children in need with each pair sold. As a mom, former PTO board member and classroom volunteer, Kuhlmann knew her passion was education.
With perpetual budget cuts, long lists of classroom needs, and education reform distant at best, “Grass Roots Tuesdays” is Smart Cow’s way of filling in the gap. The shop reaches out to local schools, selects a Tuesday and then sets aside 20 percent from the entire day’s sales for that school.
According to Kuhlmann, the yogurt is special too. They chose a small diary that offers super creamy and rich yogurt, unlike any other in the area. Sixteen flavors are available at any given time, including two dairy free sorbets and two no-sugar added options. The topping bar is packed with a seemingly endless selection, too.
In true classroom fashion, Smart Cow is decorated with bright colors and has chalkboards for tables. Even the serving cups get in on the action by displaying the formula Yogurt + Toppings = Better Funded Schools.
“In the first year of business, Smart Cow has given about $12K to local Arvada schools and, as part of their opening week ‘five days of giving’ celebration; Castle Rock schools have already received $3K.” “What we are doing is not just a good treat and dessert, but something that helps make a difference in the community,” said Cooke. Kuhlmann adds, “It feels good that we are doing something important.”
Smart Cow Yogurt Bar is located at 36 East Allen Street in Castle Rock. For more information visit www.smartcowyogurt.com.
