A new marketplace in Frisco is bringing together beloved eateries and new businesses set to the backdrop of Mount Royal. 

The owners of the Prospectors Marketplace, the Gregory and Blodig families, first started working in Summit County in the building industry in the 2000s. After stumbling upon a real estate listing that had been on the market for years, at the time, they were able to enter into a new venture in Summit County. 

On paper, Denise Blodig and her son Lane Gregory are the owners of the Prospectors Marketplace. Her husband and Lane’s father, Gene Gregory, also plays a significant role from an operations standpoint. 

The trio brought on Sarah “Taco” West as the manager, who helped curate the marketplace with a mining theme. Her mother’s old towing wheel and horseshoes serve as decorations in the marketplace’s courtyard, and she designed the spot’s bar, McCoy’s Bar, using mining photos from the Summit Historical Society. A bartender herself, she stocked the bar almost entirely with spirits from Colorado-owned, women-owned or small-batch spirits companies.

Aside from McCoy’s Bar, the ownership group also runs another bar on the second floor of the marketplace with an arcade that has what Gene said to be around $200,000 of games. 

Gene said the Prospectors Marketplace has an open-seating concept where people can bring food from any of the restaurants anywhere on the property. Outside, there is seating with heating systems so people can eat outdoors in the winter. 

In terms of eateries people will recognize, the Prospectors Marketplace houses Crepes A La Cart, Chimayo Grill, Groovy’s Mac n’ Cheesy, Lazos Empanadas and Summit Scoops in a location smack-dab in the middle of Frisco Main Street.

Chimayo’s owner Frank Michaud said he is excited to have a location in Frisco after years of residents asking for one. Owner of Crepes A La Cart, Alex LaMarca, said he is also excited to be in Frisco. 

“It’s a lively bustling Main Street (with) an awesome local vibe, and it kind of reminds me of (Breckenridge) from 20 years ago, where people could walk around and be in town and really enjoy the place,” he said. 

For more information, visit Prospectors Marketplace’s website at ProspectorsMarketplace.com.

What’s new

Back to Texas BBQ

On the first floor of the marketplace, people will find a couple of Texans who don’t mess around with barbecue. Brooklyn Bailey and Mike Scott were first brought to Summit County thanks to Scott’s brother’s business, Just Send It, in Silverthorne. Bailey said Scott has long had aspirations to pursue his passion for barbecue, and, finally, the Prospectors Marketplace provided an opportunity to do that with Back to Texas BBQ. 

Bailey said the pair lived in both Austin and Dallas, considered two of the greatest barbecue hubs in the country, and their standards are pretty high. She said since barbecue is a cuisine that differs based on the region you’re located in, people generally have varying opinions on different styles, but Back to Texas BBQ has gotten positive reviews from Southerners so far. It’s something Bailey said is a feat.

Back to Texas BBQ is the type of place that cooks their meat fresh everyday and stops serving it when they sell out. Sauces and sides are all made in-house. They have shareables on the menu like barbecue nachos ranging from $9 to $27 and sandwiches, like pulled pork sandwiches and beef brisket burritos, ranging from $13 to $18. Platter prices range from $18 to $25, and sides on the menu range from $2 to $20.

Currently, it is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday of the week except for Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information visit BacktoTexasBBQ.com.

Kanto x Wasabi

Owners of Kanto x Wasabi, Lemuel Santos and Mikee Tipactipac, describe it as “street heat meets precision.” They say “street heat” is a term used to describe the street food that can be found in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, which they say is some of the best in the world.

Santos and Tipactipac take the street food they love from their home and put a twist on it based on their time working and living in Miami, which is where the “precision” comes in. Tipactipac said Miami’s food scene, particularly when it comes to Asian cuisines, is known for its quality. Between the places they’ve lived, they have a pretty high standard for food — and they wanted to bring that to Frisco.

Tipactipac and Santos said their menu has items people will be familiar with, and some that people might find foreign.

Tipactipac said crispy pig ears is a beer’s best friend, and one she hopes people will try it. Additionally, she’s excited for people to try their Miami-style salmon crispy rice.

Appetizers from Kanto x Wasabi range from $9 to $14, and maki ranges from $11 to $16. Ramen ranges from $15 to $19 and rice bowls range from $15 to $19. Currently, they are open everyday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fresh Press’d

Owners of Summit Scoops, Carisa and Jebaugno Brown, opened yet another business in Summit County, Fresh Press’d. Jebaugno said owning a spot that serves acai bowls has been his wife’s longtime dream. He became a fan after trying acai in Sedona, Arizona. Acai bowls range from $11 to $18.

Chucky’s Burgers

Chucky’s Burgers, started by Francisco Urbieta, lives upstairs by the bar and serves elevated bar eats. Burgers, hotdogs and other menu items range from $8 to $16.

Prospector’s Marketplace is located at 310 Main Street in Frisco.