Business Happenings Around The ‘Hood
Compiled by Cara DeGette
GPHN Editor
Red Octave Opens
Colorado native, longtime restaurateur and entertainer Phil Long has opened the Red Octave on Colfax and Eudora streets to much fanfare. With Executive Chef, David Burton Sanchez, the restaurant’s New Italian Menu and beautiful interior has already been featured by Westword, Eater Denver, Zagat and the Denver Post. The restaurant space itself has a long and vibrant history in Denver. For 30 years it was the iconic French restaurant, Tante Louise, and more recently was the Cork House Restaurant, named after the Tante Louse owner Corbin “Corky” Douglas. Now the Red Octave, it is part restaurant, part music venue, featuring Italian cuisine with modern twists. A red-and-black color scheme lends a modern vibe to the two-room setup, with sports on TVs at the bar, a patio for alfresco dining and a live set on open-mic night.
Park Hill Design Opens On Fairfax
Park Hill Design has taken over the space at 29th Avenue and Fairfax Street that was formerly occupied by Naturally Loved. Park Hill Design, which has been operating out of its local studio for the past six years, manufacturers one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly children’s clothing. “After we heard Naturally Loved was moving out my husband and I decided to jump into this full time,” said owner Meridythe Emmanuel.
A Sweet Spot For Syrup
After a massive renovation, Syrup will open in the former Le Peep restaurant space at 1875 York St. Restaurant owner Tim Doherty, who lives in the nearby City Park neighborhood, tells the online BusinessDen news outlet that a gap in breakfast coverage made the building a sweet spot for Syrup’s third outpost. LePeep closed in August after many years in business. According to BusinessDen, a large-scale renovation of the restaurant is underway, and Doherty estimates it will cost between $300,000 and $400,000. “It’s a good location, it has parking and it’s a totally different demographic than it was 15 years ago,” Doherty said. “And now there’s no breakfast place on that corridor.”
Colfax Improvements On Track
Folks from the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District are moving ahead with a streetscape design project to enhance local identity and make it easier and safer for people to play, shop and dine on Colfax, the southern boundary of Park Hill. “These improvements will be modest, but impactful, and can be implemented over time as funding is obtained,” says Hilarie Portell, executive director of the Colfax Mayfair BID. The group envisions improving sidewalks, lighting and benches, bicycle racks, landscaping and public art. The goal, planners say, is to identify a set of modest but impactful improvements to enhance district identity while making it safer and easier for people to get around. The effort is being funded by the Business Improvement District and the Denver Office of Economic Development, with staff support from Colorado Department of Transportation and Denver departments of Public Works and Community Planning and Development. For details check out colfaxmayfairbid.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have news about a business in and around the neighborhood that you’d like to share? Has ownership changed hands? Has a local shop recently opened? Unexpectedly shuttered their doors? Retired after decades in business? Won an award? Had a visit from a VIP or celebrity? Send your business news tips to editor@greaterparkhill.org for consideration in our new monthly business news section. Please include “Spilling the beans” in the subject line of the email.