One of Denver’s favorite institutions is closing its doors and by doing so saving the life of another much-loved eatery.
The 29-year-old Goodfriends restaurant on East Colfax Avenue closes Saturday. The site becomes the next home of Annie’s Cafe, moving in June from East 8th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
“It’s been our baby for a long time,” Goodfriends co-owner Lee Goodfriend said. “The thought that it won’t be there makes me very sad. The thought that two independent women will be nurturing it makes me very happy.”
The plan for Annie’s to take over Goodfriends’ space grew from a conversation between the owners of both restaurants — one pair thinking about downsizing because of rising gas and food prices, the other pair desperate for a home, albeit temporarily, after being given notice by developers who bought their building.
Annie’s owners Dianne Williams and Peggy Anderson went to Racine’s, also owned by Goodfriend and her business partner David Racine, several months ago. They hoped to run into the owners because Racine’s had been displaced several years ago by developers and the women thought they could get some good food and good advice.
Racine and Goodfriend both happened to be there. The suggestion “was sort of spur-of-the- moment,” Goodfriend said.
The next day, Annie’s owners called. Were they serious? Yes, they were.
“To be on Colfax now is just perfect,” Wil liams said. “Hey, Annie’s is going hip.”
The new Annie’s location adds a full bar, late nights and double the seating.
While both sets of owners describe the move as a perfect solution, it’s still bittersweet for both operations.
For Annie’s owners and the 30-member staff, the move from its home for 28 years brings much sentiment over shared births, deaths, marriages and moments.
“The actual closing of the doors there, even though we have something very exciting to go to, is going to be emotional,” Anderson said.
Most employees at Goodfriends have been given jobs at Racine’s, Dixon’s or Annie’s.
“You have the price of gas and food and everything going up, and you start thinking about downsizing,” Goodfriend said. “I just think it was meant to be. I was feeling terrible that they were going to be out on the street.”
Elizabeth Aguilera: 303-954-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com
