Denver, CO – The old adage “quality over quantity” proves to be the main ingredient helping new locally-owned restaurants keep cooking in an industry burned by the economic depression.
Across the city, environmentally conscious restaurants offering locally-produced ingredients, vegan and vegetarian options at low prices are flourishing despite the economy which has wreaked havoc on the Denver dining scene in 2009.
Denver has lost many restaurants to financial problems this year including La Dolce Vita, Cherry Creek Grill, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Alto, Lala’s, Cebiche and most recently, The ESPN Zone proving that no restaurant, big or small, is immune to economic strife.
The wave of closures is evident of how the economic crisis is affecting Denver residents at the most basic level. Layoffs, pay cuts, and unemployment have hit Colorado residents hard, decreasing the number of people willing to spend money eating out.
According to a report by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., the state’s gross domestic product per capita has fallen from seventh to 12th since 2000 and per capita personal income has dropped from seventh to 13th over that time period, the study showed.
Now, Colorado ranks fifth in the U.S. for the number of new companies per 1,000 employees and seventh in the entrepreneurial activity index.
Independent restaurants have played a crucial role in the statistic with new coffee shops, restaurants and bars opening up weekly. While some fail, the ones that succeed are great examples of business adapting to the economic circumstances they operate within.
Establishments offering discounts, specials and keeping their food and beverage prices down have seen an upswing in business.
Kate Powers, a senior at the University of Denver expressed the importance of picking the right restaurant in this economy.
“I clip coupons, look for deals online, and ask friends where I can get the most bang for my buck. I rarely walk into sit-down chain restaurants anymore because I figure if I’m going to spend the money to go out I want it to be a different experience, one that makes me feel good about spending my money,” she said.
Those that cater to niche markets such as locally grown, vegan, vegetarian or organic selections appear to be hitting a sweet spot with consumers who are proving to be more conscious of the business practices and environmental commitments of restaurants as the green trend continues to gather momentum.
The recently opened Organixx appeals to customers by pairing deals, low prices and organic selections. Throughout the month of November the restaurant downtown is promoting an economic stimulus package for customers, offering any salad, sandwich combination lunch for less than eight dollars which is a great deal considering the high cost of strictly organic ingredients. Other restaurants like Water Course uptown offer a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian fare at moderate prices that appeal to a hyper-specific demographic.
Sara Mumby, a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder says that she drives from Boulder about twice a month to eat at Water Course.
“Water Course has such an excellent range of options for people who are vegetarian like me unlike normal restaurants that only provide one or two vegetarian options on their menus,” she said.
Among independent restaurants that are doing well in spite of the economic downturn, a commitment to the environment and locally-produced ingredients has also been a growing trend whether the restaurant is vegetarian or not.
Sweet Action Ice Cream on South Broadway prides itself on being environmentally friendly boasting locally produced milk, spices, sweet, composting, recycling and even wind power. A favorite with the young and hip, Sweet Action further sets itself apart by offering unique flavors that cannot be found elsewhere like Baklava, Red Velvet and Cantaloupe.
Even standard burger joints have joined the buying local trend with restaurants like Park Burger and Smashburger creating custom burgers with only the freshest local free-range beef and produce.
Consumers are now more aware of the places they spend their money when they do go out for a meal. Vegetarian and vegan selections, uniqueness, prices and overall business practices are now a more integral part of restaurants than ever before.
A number of independent Denver businesses have recognized these trends and capitalized on them, flourishing in at this moment when quality is the new quantity.
Side Bar Information:
The Baker Neighborhood along South Broadway is booming with locally-owned restaurants that offer a wide array of dining options for the environmentally conscious diner.
Take a walking tour down South Broadway on a warm evening and sample the wide variety of delicious food available at the neighborhood’s many eateries. Here’s our suggested route:
1. Grab a glass of wine and sample hand-crafted meats and cheeses at Sketch wine and snack bar. (101 Broadway, Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily)
2. Immerse yourself in a truly unique dining environment at Beatrice and Woodsley where the rustic southern cuisine offers everything from beignets to frog legs. (38 South Broadway Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. nightly; Saturday and Sunday brunch)
3. Pop into Sweet Action Ice Cream and treat yourself to a wide variety of frozen delights like home-made ice cream sandwiches and cupcakes. (52 Broadway Hours: weekdays 1-10 p.m. weekends: 1-11 p.m. Closed Mondays)
4. If you find yourself wandering into one of South Broadway’s many music clubs (Hi-Dive, Skylark Lounge, 3 Kings Tavern, etc.) a late night snack might be in order. Sputnik is just the place with a great select of comfort foods like sweet potato fries and mac’n’cheese. (3 Broadway Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. daily)
