Wild Ivories, the downtown dueling piano bar, closed Aug. 9 in the wake of criminal charges and a civil lawsuit against one of the original partners in the venture.
In the criminal case, James Cas imir Bzdek, known as Caz, has been charged with four counts of theft and four counts of forgery stemming from allegations of check fraud and identity theft.
Bzdek was arrested June 22 and released on $25,000 bond. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 8. If convicted and sentenced on each count, Bzdek could face up to 39 years in prison.
Former business partners Tim Kirkland and John Sherman are two of five plaintiffs who filed a civil suit accusing Bzdek of fraud and identify theft.
“Our case against Caz is alleging several things, from fraud to theft to mismanagement,” said Kirkland, who also is accusing Bzdek of applying for a $10,000 bank loan using Kirkland’s name and Social Security number. “He’s a confidence man, I believe that.”
Speaking on behalf of his client, Bzdek’s attorney, Daniel Recht, said, “The closing of Wild Ivories is heartbreaking to Caz. He put his heart and soul, his money, his sweat and tears into that club. He is deeply saddened by its demise and understands the frustration of his ex-partners. We are hopeful the lawsuits will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Kirkland said he met Bzdek years ago when Kirkland was general manager at SingSing, another Denver dueling piano bar, and Bzdek was one of the piano players.
The two parted ways until Bzdek approached Kirkland with the Wild Ivories concept.
“He said he had a letter of intent for the place on 14th and Market,” Kirkland said. “I was really attracted by the location and the piano players he was assembling.”
Sherman joined the operation as a piano player and investor. Kirkland also said he invested and loaned the company money.
According to Lee Kil, representative for the building’s owner, Focus Investments, the subsidiary Focus Entertainment loaned Wild Ivories money last year and assumed ownership early this year.
“The original owners ran into trouble and we tried to bail them out,” Kil said. “We managed to keep it going for a year. We tried to sell it and had three national dueling piano operators interested. Two made lowball offers, one passed on it.”
The 5,500-square-foot building housed two operations, with Wild Ivories on the main floor and Juke dance club in the basement. The space formerly housed Buca di Beppo restaurant and has a commercial kitchen. There’s also space along 14th Street for an 8-foot patio.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the next concept and operator,” he said.
Dixons’ departure.
A group of LoDo residents are holding an Irish wake for fans of Dixons restaurant on 16th and Wazee from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 3. The goodbye event will feature music, dance and happy hour prices on drinks and appetizers.
The eatery, which has been a LoDo fixture for nearly 15 years, closes for good after brunch service Sept. 5.
Chef shifts.
Longtime caterer and restaurateur Jimmy Lambatos will open a new restaurant in the former Tarbell’s space at the Streets at SouthGlenn in roughly six weeks.
Lambatos, owner of Footer’s Catering and former owner of Baur’s restaurant downtown, said he hasn’t decided on the concept yet, but says the new spot will be “fun, hip and affordable.”
Speedy sales.
, a Highlands Ranch supplier of home improvement products, has been named the third-fastest-growing online retailer by Internet Retailer, a national business magazine.
The shopping site reported a 2010 growth rate in Web revenue of 413 percent, an increase of more than $6.6 million.
Dave Ems, owner of , said his company will launch , a bath fixture site, in September, and and in October.
EAVESDROPPING
Two women at Jing:
“Which way do you face when on a bidet, front or back?”
“I think you face the wall so that you can rest your head and just stay there for hours.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on “Caplis & Silverman” between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@ .
