The NDP Group, a Chicago- based market-research company, has a bleak analysis for Denver’s restaurant-industry numbers ending in September, compared with the previous year.
As of the year that ended June 30, Denver restaurant visits were down 2 percent, according to NPD, which also determined that the restaurant industry as a whole was down 2 percent.
According to NPD’s study, customer traffic declined 2 percent across all restaurant segments, including quick-service/fast-food restaurants, which represent the largest share of the industry.
But when customers had a deal-related visit — such as with a coupon — the frequency increased by 3 percent.
“Many restaurants are using discounting to combat slow sales this year,” Denver restaurant consultant John Imbergamo said. “That number is a very specific number to sandwich/Mexican quick-service restaurants. In sandwich/Mexican QSR, 40 percent were visits on a deal, which means 40 percent of the people that visited that particular segment were buying something that was discounted.”
Nondeal visits fell by 4 percent versus a year ago in September, the NPD report showed.
Pizza place.
Ernie’s Bar & Pizza, another dining and drinking spot from Larimer Associates, opens Wednesday (a national holiday, as it’s my birthday), featuring New York-style pizza, a wide array of antipasto and a 40-foot bar with 30 domestic beers on tap. It’s located in the former Three Sons restaurant space at West 44th Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
“Every great neighborhood deserves a great neighborhood bar,” said Joe Vostrejs, Larimer Associates chief operating officer. “It is our goal to re-establish a neighborhood legacy and make it an enduring institution that is inviting to large parties and provides much-needed patio space in the Sunnyside neighborhood.”
The refurbished space includes two patios on the east and south sides of the restaurant, plus a fireplace and a game room that features two pool tables and two skeeball games.
Heart to heart.
Tyler Swoverland, 44, a former server at Rock Bottom Brewery Downtown for several years, suffered a massive heart attack Oct. 25 while vacationing in Cozumel, Mexico.
He’s awaiting a heart transplant at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston with a left-ventricle- assist device inserted in his heart to keep it going until he receives the transplant.
On Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m., Rock Bottom Brewery Downtown will raffle off prizes including gift certificates to Hacienda Colorado, Elway’s Cherry Creek, a weekend stay in Summit County, personal training sessions, dog-walking services, a keg of Rock Bottom beer, bike tune-ups, magnums of fine wine, cocktail kits for holiday entertaining and more.
Proceeds, including $1 per beer sold courtesy of Rock Bottom, go to Tyler’s Fund to provide for the long and expensive road that leads to a new heart. To contribute immediately, go to .
Eavesdropping.
Two women on the 16th Street shuttle:
“Let’s not shuttle, because I’m not wearing my best shoes.”
“Let’s shuttle because I am.”
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.
