Business Matters is a monthly column on the changing landscape of business and development in north Denver. If there are any inquiries on new developments in your area, or if you are a local business wishing to highlight an upcoming milestone, email Kailyn Lamb at klamb@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Development

Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo closed its Bird World exhibit on Oct. 1. The building first opened in 1975. According to an article by 5280 Magazine, the zoo estimated that around 70% of the animals on exhibit in the building would stay here in Denver.

The zoo will be moving its penguin exhibit to the Predator Ridge area near the entrance. That exhibit is set to open this spring.

The Bird World building is set to be demolished. There are no plans for the space as of now, but zoo staff said it would likely be used for an immersive experience.

In February, the Denver Zoo broke ground on a new veterinary hospital space. That project is estimated to be completed by mid-2020. For more information on that project, read our article at https://lifeoncaphill.com/stories/denver-zoo-breaks-ground-on-new-hospital,277671.

Business

Openings

Fox Run Cafe

Fox Run Cafe will be taking the place of Humble Pie at 3550 E. Colfax Ave. It will be the first restaurant for owner Lucien Reichert, according to a news release. Fox Run is set to open in January.

“As someone that grew up in Denver, I’m excited to be creating a restaurant in my neighborhood that will bring together such a vibrant community,” Reichert said in the release. “I envision Fox Run as a place where you can pull up a chair and make yourself at home; I want everyone to feel like they’re an extended part of our team and family.”

Kelsie Berens, formerly of The Plimoth restaurant, will be crafting homemade pastries and bread that will be part of a rotating menu. Fox Run will be open for breakfast and lunch.

Humble Pie closed on Colfax earlier this year.

Native Roots

The marijuana dispensary will be opening in the former Boston Market space at 500 Grant St.

Native Roots has a total of 22 locations throughout Colorado. Some stores offer both medical and recreational marijuana, while others sell one or the other. The dispensary chain also launched CBD-specific stores, including a store inside Broadway Market in Denver, according to its website.

The Boston Market closed on Grant in 2018.

Postino Winecafe

The Italian wine bar and restaurant opened its second location on Broadway at the end of October. Postino Winecafe, 145 Broadway, took the place of Compound Basix, a gay bar that closed last year.

The Broadway building was built in 1895.

Postino’s first Colorado location opened in the Lower Highlands. The restaurant is also set to open a third spot in the Ninth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard development that is under construction and set to open in next year.

The restaurant is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and also has locations in Texas.

Closings

CO-Brew

The brewery and home-brew shop combination will close by the end of the year. CO-Brew had a brewery inside that offered its own beers, and also sold materials and equipment for people interested in making their own beer.

The store opened at 1133 Broadway in 2015. The store announced on Facebook that it would no longer offer homebrewing sessions or make any more of its own beer.

“Rising rent in Downtown Denver and a decline in the homebrewing industry makes it financially impossible for us to sign another lease,” the post read.

The Facebook post also said the store would close at the end of its lease on Dec. 31. The store’s remaining inventory and display furniture is for sale.

Changes

Freshcraft

The owners behind Stoney’s Bar and Grill have taken over Freshcraft, a bar and restaurant at 1530 Blake St. Erik Riggs, the former general manager of Stoney’s, will be in charge of the restaurant. It is his first time as an owner and operator, according to a story from BusinessDen.

Freshcraft first opened in the Lower Downtown neighborhood in 2010.

Cap City Tavern

In 2018, the building that houses Cap City Tavern was purchased by the nearby Clyfford Still Museum for $3 million, according to city records. The museum plans to use the building for expanded parking and office space, according to a news story from The Denver Post. The building is located at 1247 Bannock St.

The owner of Cap City told the Post that he recently signed a five-year lease with the museum, but that the terms allow him to leave as early as February 2021. The lease for Cap City ends in 2024. Owner Dino McTaggert told the Post he plans to move the bar and restaurant to a new location.

The museum does not have any plan for development at this time.