Reader: Common Grounds closed? There goes the neighborhood

When Common Grounds opened at 3484 West 32nd Avenue back in 1992, this part of Highland was far from the hot restaurant neighborhood it is today. And by providing a place where neighbors could gather, with a welcoming atmosphere that drew people from across town, Common Grounds helped heat up...

By Patricia Calhoun

May 1, 2013

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When Common Grounds opened at 3484 West 32nd Avenue back in 1992, this part of Highland was far from the hot restaurant neighborhood it is today. And by providing a place where neighbors could gather, with a welcoming atmosphere that drew people from across town, Common Grounds helped heat up the area. It's so hot today that the landlord recently raised the rent 40 percent -- which was too much for Common Grounds. After two decades, it poured its last cup in its original home on Monday; it will reopen next month in Sunnyside. See also: - Common Grounds will pour its last cup at the original West 32nd Avenue spot today - From A to Z, Alamo Drafthouse to Zanitas, Restaurant roll call for March - Battle of the dueling Cebiches is over, with LoHi the winner

Says Philo99:

The neighborhood is changing so much and I fear most of it will be for the worse. The list of places that are closing due to high rents:

Heidi's Common Grounds. Urbanistic Tea and Bike Shop Babareeba Indulgences Day Spa

Pretty soon we will be left with a Jimmy John's, a Tequila Bar and medical marijuana dispensary.

What do you think of the changes in Highland? Along this stretch of West 32nd Avenue in particular? And watch for our Restaurant roll call for April, a compendium of openings and closings, on Cafe Society this morning.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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