Platt Park & Washington Park Neighborhood Update
As I write this Platt Park and Washington Park Neighborhood Update the first hints of fall are starting to appear after what seemed to be an especially hot and particularly smoky summer. Glad the smoke was not so much coming from Colorado fires, as in past summers but there was no getting away from it as we were just sitting downwind from that enormous campfire also known as California. Well with those caldrons finally quenched we can now enjoy the crisp morning air, blue skies and that slow-moving fireworks of the fall color change–unless of course we get hammered by some early snowstorm (trivia question: what is the earliest snowstorm to ever hit Denver? Answer, last year on September 8th 2020—remember that beauty?). Never dull around here.
Not sure who to thank particularly but in these on-going COVID times it has been nice to not have to go back into lockdowns, mandatory everywhere mask wearing and social distancing (knock on wood) while portions of the country have, much of it seemly self-induced it would seem. From my perch Denver has handled all this pretty well from doing what was needed when the chips were down, getting vaccines and the like. I believe the thanks goes to you for doing what you needed, when it was needed and collectively not spinning off the dial with some craziness. Love my state, city and especially neighborhood. Good job!!
The not quite done list
Guess you could call this issue of Neighborhood Notes the ‘not quite done’ issue as most every project of interest around here is still moving slowly towards the finish line. Here are a few highlights.
The most asked about project, from my perspective at least, is what is happening with the old Hanson’s Tavern (1301 S Pearl St) that shut its doors way back in December of 2019? As you might recall and was previously report here, it sold in September of 2020 to Cadence Capitol Investment Group for the tidy sum of $2.6 million dollars. Since that time, it has languished vacant with no signs of activity except the Williams Construction sign in the window. Cadence has not responded to my efforts to contact them but I finally got a hold of someone at Williams Construction. I was told the new project will be…wait for it…an office building (strike the sound of kazoos playing ‘ta-da’). Well, that is not particularly exciting unless I suppose you are looking for office space and have a unsatiable craving for Duffy Rolls. Seems a surprising use of a building that has a built-in Cabaret license and a high-profile corner location but who am I to know better. Anyway, the project should finally get under way this year with a completion date of early to mid-2022. Not sure that is the last word on this but it appears to be the story for now.
Moving steadily towards completion is Jack’s on Pearl (1475 S Pearl St) https://jacksonpearldenver.com/. Construction is slated to be finished around the end of October and the expected opening date will be sometime shortly thereafter. The space only slightly resembles the previous Tavern on Pearl. Gone is the large bar that was just inside the door and all the trappings of a sports bar have been removed. The front main area will be for dining with a large open kitchen in the back. Built in to the room will be the chefs table where you can sit around in bar-like fashion and watch the chef do his thing. There will be a bar off to one side pouring libations and an oyster bar serving up, well oysters. Upstairs will still be the large bar that opens to the patio outside. This space will, like the Tavern before, be a great place for social gathering. The look and feel of both upstairs and down has been completely made over and looks to be impressive. As for food, no menu is yet available but at the core will be wood fired everything with big open ovens in the back of the main floor. I was glad to hear the price point will be, as described, $$ (two-dollar signs) as opposed to three or four, meaning dining there will be a reasonable affair on the pocket book. Looking forward to checking it out soon.
Over on the Broadway side of the hood is a new Dive Bar coming at 1539 S Broadway. TrashHawk Tavern https://www.trashhawktavern.com/has taken over the former space of Alternation Brewing Company that fell victim to Covid in September of 2020. TrashHawk is owned by a family of longtime Denverites who purchased the building for $750,000. The family is new to the bar business but have been planning this move for some time. The goal is to create a “fun, comfortable spot for people in the surrounding neighborhoods to hang out”. Said Erin Homberger, one of the owners, as reported in The Know. The bar will offer snacks and will be partnering with food trucks to provide further dining options. Outside food will be welcome. Their website TrashHawk.com says opening in August which obviously didn’t happen. From a quick peek in the window, it looks like an opening should be immanent.
Okay here’s a new twist for businesses along Broadway, a ping pong center. Denver Pong https://www.denverpong.com/will be opening soon (site says September) at 1559 S Broadway. Their website says “Pong is for everyone. Whether you’re a recreational player, champion of your neighborhood or a serious table tennis athlete looking to train, Denver Pong is for you! (Side note: Did you see any of the ping pong in the Olympics? Other-worldly stuff) Drop in and play with your friends, join our leagues or train with one of our world-class coaches.” You can join as a member or just pay a drop-in fee. They have all the equipment you need. Sounds fun. I’m thinking drop in for some pong then wander next door to TrashHawk for refreshments…or maybe the other way around.
And one on the ‘finally done list’
And finally, there is one opening to report! After a long Covid pause, Tikka & Grill https://www.thetikkaandgrill.com/is now up and running at 1300 S Broadway. Tikka’s initial timing could not have been much worse as they initially planned to open spring of 2020 right when the lock-downs began. Good for them for persevering through what had to be a tough time. Tikka specializes in Nepali and Indian food. As of this writing I’ve not stopped in but the menu looks amazing. Open daily for both lunch and dinner and from what I can tell it is already buzzing.
Fingers crossed for the fall ahead that we beat Covid into submission and can finish putting it, for the most part, in the rear-view mirror. Get out there and enjoy the last weeks of the South Pearl Street Farmers Market https://www.southpearlstreet.com/farmers-market/which run till November 14th. Stay safe and as always…
See you around the neighborhood
Tom Snyder