Every Opening and Closing This Week: An Einstein Swap-Out and More

Denver’s bagel scene has changed a lot in recent years, with the addition of spots like Rich Spirit, Odell’s Bagel and D.C.-based chain Call Your Mother. Now another homegrown chain that’s been around for over three decades is making some changes near the University of Denver.

Einstein Bros. Bagels was founded in Lakewood in 1995 by the same chain-restaurant corporation that launched Boston Market. After several ownership changes over the years, it became part of Panera Brands in 2021 and falls under that parent company’s Bagel Brands, which is headquartered in Denver and includes Einstein Bros. Bagels, Bruegger’s Bagels, Noah’s NY Bagels and Manhattan Bagel.

Until recently, bagel fans near the University of Denver had two options: Einstein Bros. on East Evans Avenue and the state’s last Bruegger’s Bagels on South University Boulevard. But Bruegger’s made its exit from Colorado last year and now, a bagel swap-out is about to take place: Einstein Bros. has closed its East Evans location and will soon open in the former Bruegger’s space. “We’re planning for next Tuesday, February 17, if all goes as planned,” says Gabe Washburn, Bagel Brands manager of PR and social media. “Following that initial opening, we’ll have a grand opening event on Saturday, March 7.”

There are two other closures to report this week, along with a rebrand. The Bowlero in Wheat Ridge is now a Lucky Strike, a move that is “part of a larger company-wide refresh bringing Bowlero centers under the Lucky Strike Entertainment brand,” the company says. “This change reflects the company’s evolution and commitment to offering a broader range of entertainment experiences, expanding beyond traditional bowling and positioning Lucky Strike Entertainment as a premier entertainment destination.” (Our favorite bowling option in the area is still Wheat Ridge Lanes.)

The Macaroni Grill in Westminster has shuttered. According to 9News, the closure came “after the business became delinquent on sales taxes in November 2025, when it failed to pay taxes from October.”

Another brewery has closed its doors: Centennial’s Wild Sky Brewery , which had opened in May 2024 in the former Blue Spruce Brewery space. “We inherited debt, rusted tanks and a future that looked impossible. What we chose to build instead was hope,” it said in its closing announcement that reveals the financial challenges ultimately became too much. The business poured its last beer on February 8.

This week also brought six openings. King Buffet continues to expand, with a new location in Westminster. Wood-fired pizza truck Dough Boy now has a permanent set-up inside the Crazy Mountain Tap Room on Ogden. California-based beverage brand Sip Fresh entered the Colorado market with a Cherry Creek outpost. Pickleball continues to trend, and the latest spot to play and grab a drink is Stadium Pickleball Lounge in Sun Valley.

On South Broadway, we got an answer to the mystery of what’s going on at the former Gennaro’s, a longtime red-sauce joint. Its original replacement, Vintage Himalayan Bar & Restaurant, moved out last month. Now its doors are open once again as Kareley’s Bar #7 under a new owner, who has operated other bars with that name in the metro area in the past, including outposts on Federal Boulevard and Pecos Street. While it’s not currently serving food, it may add a Mexican menu in the weeks to come.

In the Highland neighborhood, Velvet Lasso (not to be confused with downtown restaurant Velvet Cellar or Colfax newgrass bar Velvet Banjo) has moved into the former Noisette space. The daytime cafe is celebrating its grand opening on Valentine’s Day; it’s now serving coffee drinks, pastries and sandwiches in a kitschy space that’s sure to appeal to the Instagram crowd, with plans to add a bar and lounge next door.

In other openings and closings news:

• Get a glimpse into what it really takes to open a restaurant in Denver today.
• Permitting has delayed the opening of a Y2K-themed bar, so it’s popping up elsewhere this month.
• A new po’boy spot will celebrate its grand opening inside Edgewater Public Market on Fat Tuesday, February 17.
• Uchi’s long-awaited sister restaurantm, Uchiko, officially debuts in Cherry Creek North next week.
• Boulder’s world-famous Dark Horse will close after celebrating its 51st anniversary on March 14.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

Dough Boy at Crazy Mountain, 1505 Ogden Street
King Buffet, 9229 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster
Sip Fresh, 3000 East First Avenue
Stadium Pickleball Lounge, 750 Canosa Court
Velvet Lasso, 3254 Navajo Street

Rebrand

Bowlero, 9751 West 49th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, is now Lucky Strike Wheat Ridge

Closures

Einstein Bros. Bagels, 1213 East Evans Avenue
Wild Sky Brewery, 4151 East County Line Road, Centennial
Macaroni Grill, 10411 Town Center Drive, Westminster

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

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