USA. Local specialty coffee roaster Novo Coffee has unveiled its second location at Denver International Airport in partnership with the AVE Group.

Located at Concourse B, the new coffee kiosk features Novo Coffee’s full coffee menu, including fresh baked goods and other takeaway items.

Popular local artist Pat Milberry was commissioned to design the coffee kiosk, as he did for the Concourse A location.

Novo Coffee is driven by its commitment to sustainability in producing its coffee and holds a Certifiably Green Denver certification.

Its partnership with the AVE Group started in October 2022, resulting in the first travel retail location at Denver International Airport. The opening formed part of the airport’s Small Business Enterprise Concessions programme – the first in its history. The programme was designed to level the playing field for small businesses which intend to participate in contract opportunities at the Colorado gateway.

The AVE Group was founded by experienced travel retail executive Kathleen Schafer to bring Novo Coffee to the airport.

For more than a decade, Schafer has seen her career grow at Denver-based concessionaire Mission Yogurt to become Vice President, establishing her own concessions company in 2015 while awaiting the right opportunity.

It came to fruition with this programme and partnership, and now the AVE Group closely collaborates with Novo Coffee to manage the daily operations of the two stores.

Schafer said: “We’re proud to again partner with such a relationship-based brand as Novo Coffee, and to continue bringing its high-quality products to travellers at the airport.

“We’re very grateful to Denver International Airport and the Small Business Enterprise Concessions committee for supporting small Denver-based businesses.”

Novo Coffee Co-founder and President Jake Brodsky added: “Novo Coffee is thrilled to bring more local, quality flavours to Denver International Airport.

“We’ve been working hard to sustainably grow and improve our small company since day one. We’re excited to share our coffees with even more guests travelling to and through our hometown.”

Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Novo Coffee into a second location at DEN. We know our passengers already value the great products and service that Novo offers and will appreciate having an additional location at the airport to visit.

“I am also pleased to report that the AVE Group, LLC., Novo’s operational partner, is a Small Business Enterprise Concession Operator and woman-owned and operated business, a value that’s deeply embedded within our Concessions programme.

“We know that as DEN continues to provide opportunities for more businesses to share in the airport’s success, we all contribute to the economic health of our region.” ✈

The Seattle Seahawks could look to make some changes to the roster in the coming months, and that could mean trading away some of the team’s top performers.

Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine suggests that defensive tackle Jarran Reed could be one of the players the Seahawks look to move if things begin to go south in Seattle at some point during the season.

“There are a few veterans who are over 30 who could help contenders as well. Jarran Reed is the most notable. The interior defensive lineman had seven sacks in his return to Seattle this season but Macdonald might want to get younger at the position,” Ballentine writes.

Reed, 31, had his best statistical season since 2018 this past year and still has some milage left in his career. His 54 tackles marked a career-high for the second-round pick from 2016.

However, the Seahawks just drafted Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II with the No. 16 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, and he could cover the load when Reed eventually departs from Seattle.

If the Seahawks are looking to add an asset midway through the year, trading Reed could make sense for Seattle. They could add a mid-round pick and ship Reed off to a team that could benefit from adding him to the defensive line.

The Seahawks have the personnel in place that they would be okay if and when Reed departs, so a deal could be in the works if the stars align. At the same time, if the team remains in contention, it’s hard to envision them wanting to move a quality veteran who has an affordable cap hit.

Icon Heroes will be back at San Diego Comic-Con again this year, at Booth #3245. They always have an exciting array of licenses, including Zoo Jitsu  Fighters, For All Mankind, and more.

Visit the booth to score a free preview comic, collector pins, and character posters for Zoo Jitsu Fighters.

[UPDATE July 1]

Up first, Icon Heroes showed off Tiago the Tigter, presumably one of the character posters they’ll be giving away at the con.