Every Opening and Closing This Week: Noodles Express Is Back, and Dave's Hot Chicken Is Hot!

In 2017, four childhood friends started a pop-up in an East Hollywood parking lot, with less than a thousand bucks' investment and a burning desire to serve their own version of Nashville hot chicken.

Their fast-casual concept was hot. A year after launching, Dave's Hot Chicken sold 50 percent of the company and the franchising rights to an investor group that included John Davis, the Hollywood producer and fast-food financier who's the son of legendary Denver oil billionaire Marvin Davis. He added celebrity power as well as cash, bringing in Drake as an investor; last year, Usher launched his own franchises in Atlanta.

The first Dave's Hot Chicken franchises in Denver opened in 2020, on Broadway and Platte Street; locations have since been added in Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and around metro Denver. This week, a store opened at 8511 East Arapahoe Road in Greenwood Village...with no celebs in sight.

By the way, in March, the owners of Dave's signed a deal to sell 70 percent of the company to Roark Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, for a fast-and-not-so-casual $1 billion, according to Forbes. Hot chicken is hot!

Sadly, other once-hot spots in Denver have gone cold. After seven years, Cervecería Colorado has closed, but its beers — including the best-selling ¡Venga! Mexican Lager — will remain available at Wilding locations across Colorado. Wilding, which has been swallowing up independent craft beer outlets across the state, is planning a new concept for Platte Street.

Another bar has dried up, too: "We appreciate the love and support the neighborhood has shown us over the last 9 years," the owners of Congress Park Taproom posted on Instagram, before pouring a last beer on June 11. "Coming to this decision was not easy, but we came to the conclusion that now was the time."

Tim and Lilian Lu, the owners of Noisette Restaurant and Bakery, also made the "incredibly difficult decision" to close their French spot in LoHi. "Unfortunately, like many in our industry, we've faced ongoing challenges in the current economic climate that have made it unsustainable for us to continue," they shared on Instagram. Today, June 14, will be Noisette's last day of service.
But today also marks the first day back in business for Noodles Express, after a lengthy break. While work at the Belcaro Shopping Center makes its longterm future in this spot unknown, enjoy it while you can!

In other restaurant news:

• The owner of Jovanina's Italian Restaurant wants out after years of wrangling with Denver officials over a sign.
• With construction on Colfax killing business, Middleman (and Misfit Snack Bar) will close by the end of June.

Here's the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened or closed this week.*

Openings

Dave's Hot Chicken, 8511 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Noodles Express, 703 South Colorado Boulevard
Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, 2301 East Colfax Avenue

Closures

Cerveceria Colorado, 1635 Platte Street
Etai's Bakery Cafe, 101 East 70th Avenue
Noisette, 3254 Navajo Street

*Or earlier, and not included on a previous Openings and Closings list. What did we miss? Send information to [email protected].