After six years, Jody B. will still see you tHERe

I still remember the first day I walked into tHERe Coffee Bar & Lounge six years ago. It was warm outside and I was nervous because I knew so few women in town – I had only been in Denver six months. I hoped I wasn’t going to feel like I was crashing the party.

The comfortable living room decor mixed with the jovial and lively atmosphere led into casual conversations about football, scooters and the best mascara brands. It was then that I discovered the best part of being a lesbian were conversations and connections like this.

And there was one woman to thank, Jody Bouffard, better known as Jody B. – the former bartender from The Detour and the new lesbian business owner.

It all started for Jody B. that year. At 27 she decided that she needed to own a slice of the gay bar pie in Denver.

So, taking over the former coffee house, Oh My Goddess, on E. Colfax and Franklin, Jody B. created her new spot.

tHERe only sold coffee and tea in the beginning, and no one seemed to care. In fact, a lot of women were thrilled to have a place to gather  that wasn’t a bar. And although Jody now has a full liquor license, it’s still just as pleasurable to meet at tHERe for a good old fashioned cup of coffee.

The spelling of tHERe does not contain a typo, yet remains intentional. The “HER” in tHERe stands for Homosexual Equal Rights. Jody’s bar continues to be the only lesbian-owned, lesbian bar in Denver.

What began as Jody’s passion to provide something special for Denver lesbians with the opening in 2005, has now made it to its  sixth anniversary, becoming a lesbian mainstay in Denver.

Reaching her sixth year of business is really special. Generally speaking, most independent bars only stay open for three to five years. People can be fickle. And although lesbians are generally very loyal, it takes a while to get them to come back, again and again.

tHERe is kind of like Cheers for lesbians. You walk in and there’s always someone that you know. And even if you don’t know anyone at first, you’re sure to make at least three new friends before you leave.

In fact, with WiFi and the in-house computer, you’ve probably already become Facebook friends.

Each year Jody B. transforms the interior of her bar, yet this year may be one of the biggest renovations in tHERe’s history with the preparations underway for the sixth anniversary party.

Now 33, Jody B. wants to be able to pass on similar advice she received from her foremothers and impart some of the wisdom she’s gained over the years to another eager young lesbian hoping to own a bar.

Jody really got my blood pumping when she talked about her considerations for possible franchising. My traveler soul kicked up its heels.

I can see it now, tHERe Portland or tHERe Seattle, how great!

Before coming to tHERe on opening night six years ago, I had never been a lesbian anywhere other than New York City. I was young, green and still trying to figure out how to meet more women. A coffee shop/lounge was just what I needed.

tHERe was the perfect fit. As well as meeting my ex on opening day, I’ve also made many friends over the years.

These same friends have helped support me through it all. From holding my hand through a big break-up, grieving the loss of loved ones to cheering me on in my journey to live my dream as a writer. tHERe is woven into the fabric of my life.

I asked Jody what she wanted women to feel when they walk through the doors. She said she wants it to feel like they are entering into her living room.

A place where everyone always feels welcome and never judged.

A place where people can kick back on one of the many sofas and stay awhile.

Well, I’ve been here for the past six years and I’m not going anywhere. The seat here next to me is available … did someone say shots?

Celebrate tHERe’s 6th anniversary party at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. On the web at http://theredenver.com.