Uptown Girls and Guys

In the 1970s, the once-wealthy Uptown area was a graveyard of abandoned mansions and sketchy streets. But Uptown on the Hill, a registered neighborhood organization, or RNO, saw the potential to turn its main drag into “their vision of a safe, tree-lined avenue where people could work, live, eat and...

By Nathalia Vélez

September 20, 2012

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In the 1970s, the once-wealthy Uptown area was a graveyard of abandoned mansions and sketchy streets. But Uptown on the Hill, a registered neighborhood organization, or RNO, saw the potential to turn its main drag into “their vision of a safe, tree-lined avenue where people could work, live, eat and play,” says Stephanie Shearer, now president of the Uptown on the Hill RNO. To show neighbors the result of their hard work, the organization created the Uptown Sampler event, which is now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“The Sampler was formed to get people out of their houses and onto their streets, to enjoy the businesses in their neighborhood and see the wonderful transformation firsthand,” Shearer says.

Beginning at 5 p.m., samplers can walk, bike or ride one of five excursion buses that will take people along 17th Avenue’s restaurant row. The eateries will be offering tapas, while the boutiques will have special offers and secret sales. There will also be wine tasting, drink specials and traveling musicians on the avenue between Logan and Race streets. The tour ends with a visit to the historic Castle Marne bed-and-breakfast.

More than twenty restaurants are participating, including Strings, Avenue Grill, Steuben’s, Tavern Uptown, Hamburger Mary’s and D Bar Desserts. Tickets are $20 in advance — available online, at all metro-area King Soopers stores, and at Soul Haus and other neighborhood locations — and $25 on the day of the event. That includes food samples at all participating restaurants, but not drinks. For more information and tickets, visit www.uptownonthehill.org.
Tue., Sept. 25, 5 p.m., 2012

Nathalia Vélez

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