Reader: RiNo Is What Everyone Hates About “New Denver”

What’s in a name? Plenty, according to the RiNo Art District, which was created more than a dozen years ago to celebrate the gritty warehouse area along the Platte River that has since become the hottest neighborhood in Denver. So when a Minnesota-based airport concessionaire got the go-ahead to open an airport shop named RiNo Market without consulting the RiNo district, RiNo leaders got hot, too. But heated conversations are nothing new in RiNo. Says Chuck: 

This is a marketing tool that goes back to images of Che Guevara and Chairman Mao on T-shirts. Unless the RiNo name is trademarked or registered, there’s nothing the neighborhood can do about it.

  Adds Michael: 

RiNo is nothing but a pretentious cliché for transplants. Calling it a “brand” is ridiculous.

And it gets worse. Says Chris:

 RiNo and its people are exactly what everyone hates about the new “Denver.”

Responds Kristin: 

What is now RiNo used to be considered part of Five Points. The River North area has gotten more developed and housing/retail/restaurants have developed a previously desolate place. It’s created a tax base and is revitalizing the area. That new development and associated neighborhood is called RiNo. It’s not a big deal. Stop whining.

Adds Don Tacho:

 Ripping off the original rippers, seems fine to me.

But then there’s this from Sue: 

It is outrageous that Denver International Airport would allow an out-of-state company to take the name of a Denver neighborhood without talking to its residents.

And Ben concludes:

 Ahhh, crapitalism. 

Keep reading for more of our coverage of RiNo.

RiNo Rates on Lonely Planet’s List of Ten Hot ‘Hoods in U.S.

Denver International Airport Concessionaire Rips Off RiNo Name for Cash Landing

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