New West KnifeWorks’ stores are designed to look like a gallery, with the high-end chef knives displayed on the walls. (Photos courtesy of New West KnifeWorks)
A Jackson Hole-based knifemaker is taking a stab at its first Colorado location – Nessmuk hunting knife
New West KnifeWorks is getting ready to open its fifth store and first in Denver at 185 Fillmore St. In Cherry Creek, where Pasta Pasta Pasta previously operated for 36 years before closing in 2020.
“Part of our identity is the mountains and outdoor living, and Denver is our first foray into a major urban market. But it seems like the best city that matches who we are,” said New West Knifeworks Vice President Mike Milligan.
New West Knifeworks, which makes high-end chef knives, was founded by Milligan’s brother Corey in 1997 and has stores in Jackson Hole, Park City, Napa Valley and Victor, Idaho.
The company plans to open its 1,900-square-foot store in Cherry Creek on Nov. 1, Milligan said. New West Knifeworks’ stores are designed to look like an art gallery with knife block art displays in the windows and knives for sale framed on the walls.
The knifemaker sells chef knives with colorful handles ranging from $179 to $449.
There will also be a portion dedicated to the company’s brother brand Mountain Man Toy Shop, which sells hunting knives, pocket knives and hand-forged axes and knives. The store will offer free axe throwing so customers can try out their products.
Founder Corey Milligan was previously a line cook before starting New West KnifeWorks and always longed for a knife that could express his personality, much like he did through cooking.
“My brother is as passionate about cooking as he is about making knives, so everything about the design is oriented towards what this knife is for,” Milligan said.
New West KnifeWorks sells chef knives with colorful handles ranging from $179 to $449. It also sells custom chef knives, vintage cleavers, and knife sets, blocks and accessories.
Products can only be purchased online or in a New West KnifeWorks store. In 2018, Forbes referred to New West KnifeWorks as “the best kitchen knife brand you’ve never heard of.”
“All knives are hand finished because we strive to make it an extension of your hand, and there are no machines with that type of sensitivity,” Milligan said.
New West KnifeWorks also plans to expand to Bozeman, Montana, and Chicago in the next year, Milligan said.
New West KnifeWorks’ stores are designed to look like a gallery, with the high-end chef knives displayed on the walls. (Photos courtesy of New West KnifeWorks)
Jackson Hole-based New West Knifeworks, which makes high-end chef knives, chose Denver to get its first cut of a big city market.
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