Business Matters is a monthly column on the changing landscape of business and development in south 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

Observatory Row

The new development project located at 4100 S. Iliff Ave. opened the first of six buildings to residents in mid-July. Observatory Row offers three-bedroom homes priced in the low $500,000s. The full project will build 14 total townhomes and six duplex units.

The building project is nearby to where the city plans to build a new park space. For more information on the park, read our story at https://washparkprofile.com/stories/city-makes-lucky-deal-for-new-university-hills-park,283206.

Obervatory Row is also close to the Gourmet Junction Food & Drink food hall project which is expected to open in 2020.

Business

Openings

Broadway Roxy

Broadway Roxy opened in mid-August, taking the place of Syntax Physic Opera at 554 S. Broadway. The restaurant will feature a full dinner menu, and will have live music nightly.

The venue will feature an eclectic mix of artists spanning genres including Americana, singer-songwriter, jazz, blues and folk, according to a news release. Many of the artists that played at Syntax will continue to play at Broadway Roxy.

It is the second location for the venue, which started in California.

“From the very first time I visited Denver, I knew it was a really special place and that I would eventually open a second location of the Roxy brand here,” said owner, Paula Vrakas. “There are such vibrant music and culinary scenes here, and I look forward to being part of both.”

Broadway Roxy is open Tuesday through Saturday with plans to eventually be open seven days a week, the release said. The restaurant will also offer brunch on the weekends, starting this fall.

Uncle Ramen

The Highlands-based ramen shop opened a second location in West Washington Park in mid-July.

With a larger kitchen at the Wash Park location, Uncle Ramen was also able to expand its menu, including curries, new broths and Mazeman, a brothless ramen dish. A portion of the sales from the pork buns go toward a charity selected by staff, according to the restaurant’s website.

The restaurant is in the Wrigley on Penn development at 473 E. Bayaud Ave. The restaurant was announced as part of the mixed use space in 2017.

Frozen Matter

The Uptown ice cream shop opened a second location at 1061 S. Gaylord St. in July. The shop offers ice cream, ice pops and soda as part of its menu. Frozen Matter rotates flavors out seasonally for a line of “Luxe” ice creams.

Shine Holistic Health

Shine Holistic Health opened in the Baker neighborhood in June. Dr. Claire Donley said in an email that she focuses “on the root cause of my patients’ illnesses to lead them to wellness.”

She offers nutrition and exercise counseling, mind-body medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment, where a doctor moves a patients muscles and joints with stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.

Donley’s offices are located at 146 W. Fifth Ave.

The Escapist

A new escape room will open in the Santa Fe Arts District this month. The Escapist will be located next to Renegade Brewing, at 921 W. Ninth Ave. The business will have a bar and four different themed escape rooms: the Black Hole, Excalibur, Happy Hour and South Spy-Cific are the themes listed on the website.

The business will also offer cocktails themed around the escape rooms.

Closings

Huevos Tacos

Two months after it initially opened, Huevos Tacos has shut its doors. The taco shop opened in May, replacing Morning Collective. The same owner ran both restaurants at 2160 S. Broadway.

A Facebook post on the Morning Collective page on Aug. 1 stated that the space was for sale and all offers would be entertained. The post was later removed. Eater Denver first reported on the closure.

Changes

Chook Charcoal Chicken

The Australian-style rotisserie chicken restaurant is opening a second location in the Hale neighborhood. Chook Charcoal Chicken first opened in the Platt Park neighborhood at 1300 S. Pearl St. earlier this year.
The second location will be at 4340 E. Eighth Ave., nearby to the new development happening at Colorado Boulevard and East Ninth Avenue.

The restaurant is expected to open later this year.