23rd Avenue And Kearney Street: From Popcorn To Tapas

This Business Block Has Grown Up With The Neighborhood

By Cara DeGette

Editor

A century ago 23rd Avenue and Kearney Street marked the eastern outskirts of Park Hill. In a June, 2015 Greater Park Hill News exclusive, Historian Phil Goodstein provided a history of the emergence of the block as a business hub — including halcyon days when the Tower movie theater dominated the block.

“As Park Hill boomed after World War I, the demand for neighborhood retail increased,” Goodstein wrote. “Neighbors, working with city hall and real estate investors, recognized this in 1926 when they agreed the 2200 block of Kearney Street was ideally posed for small stores, and got it zoned for that purpose. Seeing a demand for their services, soon a number of groceries and pharmacies emerged. The early 1930s saw the addition of a couple of neo-Tudor apartment houses [to the block]. Filling stations were soon part of the mix at the corner of 23rd Avenue, including a body shop.

“Development continued following World War II. No attraction pulled more people to the block than the neighborhood cinema, the Tower Theatre at 2245 Kearney St.”

Through the 1950s, the Tower packed ’em in. Saturday afternoon children’s matinees were especially popular, Goodstein noted. Some sneaked into the theater along the side exits, and after the show they spent their 25 cents admission charge across the street at Candy Land. During the 1950s, the other businesses on the block adopted the Tower theme: Tower Drugs, the Tower Beauty Salon, Tower Realty, Tower Barber Shop, and Tower Chef Restaurant. A Piggly Wiggly also did brisk business during the 40s and 50s.

By the ‘80s, the movie house ran its course and closed. A Korean Full Gospel Church moved in, using the space only on Sundays. As for the rest of the block, groups of what Goodstein describes as “rowdies” roamed the surrounding neighborhood.

But, time has proven, no one can keep Kearney Street down. In 1983 Dardano School of Gymnastics opened. A decade or so later Oblio’s Pizzeria started cooking, and Grape Expectations established its roots.

There have been a few recent business bumps. In 2010 the popular Perk Hill coffeeshop closed after clashes with the landlord.

And, who can forget the battle of Bardenay? In 2017 an out-of-state restaurateur announced plans to open a 236-seat distillery and restaurant in the old movie theater site. Suffice to say many neighbors didn’t warm to the concept. Organized neighborhood pushback included an opposition website, a yard-sign campaign and a list of specific good-business-promise demands. The owner pulled out of the project.

Six years and one pandemic later, the business block is hopping. Lucina Eatery and Bar opened last year in what was part of the old Tower Theatre space. The Park Hill Dance Academy and a gymnasium, Mighty Movement, also opened. Kearney Garage, operated by the Heber family for 30 years, was sold to Pride Auto Care, which has vowed to continue the repair shop’s tradition of excellence.

Oblio’s, a Park Hill institution since 1996, has a new owner. Cake Crumbs, the coffeeshop and restaurant that Denon and Sean Moore opened in the early 2000s, was recently bought by its third owner, Marc Sivak.

Tables restaurant, the much-loved creation of Amy and Dustin Barrett, closed last year. In a move that generated headlines for months, the venerable Bistro Vendome departed its longtime digs in Larimer Square and opened in the former Tables space in February.

In the restaurant world, that leaves Neighbors the oldest kid on the block. Entering its 13th year, Neighbors is a cozy and classy joint that advertises simply as specializing in wine, food and friends. Co-owner Greg Ruedi says his mission is to create a fun, memorable place to hang out. Plus, he likes good wine.

As for the changes on the block? Ruedi misses his friends at Tables, he says, but he is gratified by diehard neighborhood support. The goodwill shared among the business owners, he says, is something to cheer.

“We all borrow cups of sugar from each other. It takes a village to to make the street successful.”

This is the third in a series highlighting happenings, historical insights and new developments in the several business blocks and districts in Park Hill. The first installment, focusing on Oneida Park Center at 23rd Avenue and Oneida Street, can be read at greaterparkhill.org/summer-at-oneida-park/). The second, focusing on 23rd and Dexter, and can be read at greaterparkhill.org/business-news-center-of-the-universe. Other blocks will be featured in the months ahead. To share your business news tips, email editor@greaterparkhill.org.

 

The Businesses On Kearney Street

West Side

Kearney Garage

Bistro Vendome

M&M Hair Haven

Beauty Bark

Mighty Movement

Park Hill Dance Academy

Lucina Eatery & Bar

East Side

Art Garage

Grape Expectations

Ciji’s Natural Pet Supplies

Eco Friendly Cleaners

Capoeira Luanda

Dardano’s Gymnastics

Cake Crumbs

Master Goblin Games

Renue Nails

Riva Aesthetics

Nestman Orthodontics

Neighbor’s Wine Bar

Little Bird

Little Bird Hair Studio

Bang Salon

Oblio’s

 

Camaraderie And Strategy

The Queen’s Gambit, an all-ages, all-levels chess club, meets on Wednesdays and Sundays at Cake Crumbs. Anywhere from 8 to 14 members regularly show up, and everyone is welcome to join. Photos by Cara DeGette