The Tavern Hospitality Group, led by co-owner Frank Schultz, is under contract to buy and breathe new life into the former Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Cafe space, which closed a year ago.
Schultz plans to turn the building, which is part of the cultural retail center at the old Lowenstein Theatre space on East Colfax Avenue at Elizabeth Street, into an event center and restaurant.
“I want to convert the three theaters into one space and do parties, banquets and receptions,” Schultz said. “My event coordinators get a lot of calls from people who want to be closer to downtown. I think the demand is there.”
Part of his due diligence includes meeting with area neighborhood associations to present his plan and make sure they’re on board with his proposal.
Neighborhood Flix, a concept that paired fine-dining fare with three distinctly decked-out theaters, operated as an indie film space for nearly a year.
The owners sank $5 million into the project, which couldn’t get legs because they couldn’t compete with Landmark Theatres and Regal Cinemas for first-run films. The business ended up in bankruptcy.
Schultz, along with his mother and stepfather, Terry and Al Papay, owns the Tavern Uptown, Tavern Downtown, Tavern Lowry, Tavern Tech Center, Tavern Wash Park, Cowboy Lounge and the Soiled Dove Underground.
Plans for the existing restaurant in the old movie-theater space include running another tavernesque eatery with a separate entrance. If he closes the deal, Schultz said, it will take a year for renovation.
Green team.
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon is the first hotel in Colorado to achieve the green accolade of Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 210-room hotel earned its official green rating in part by using low-emitting paint and carpeting and roof tiles made from recycled automobile tires.
What can I say?
“Thank you” doesn’t even begin to cover the gratitude I have for the chefs, volunteers, silent-auction donors and generous attendees at the dinner Wednesday at Lola for Sense of Security, a local breast-cancer charity.
Eight of Denver’s top toques — Alex Seidel (Fruition), Sean Yontz (Tambien, Mezcal), Goose Sorensen (Solera), Tyler Wiard (Elway’s Cherry Creek), Brian Laird (Barolo Grill), Jamey Fader (Lola), Federico Fassola (Panzano) and Matt Selby (Steuben’s, Vesta Dipping Grill) — knocked out the guests with their culinary prowess.
Jim Smith at Republic National deserves a nod for donating the wine and spirits, and the Lola staff were true pros.
But without Trisha Lindeman, who volunteered countless organization hours, this event would not have happened. The chefs have committed to a repeat performance next year. If you want to join next year’s party, shoot me an e-mail.
Eavesdropping.
A woman at the Sense of Security dinner at Lola who attends numerous charity events:
“This is not only a great event; it is the best event I have ever attended.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
