California-based vegan restaurant chain Native Foods Cafe opened five stores in the Denver-Boulder area over the past several years, but the expansion plan may have been too aggressive. The Lakewood branch closed last year, and now two more locations are gone: The Native Foods in the Denver Pavilions downtown and its sibling at 2023 South Colorado Boulevard have also shuttered.

If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.

SHOW ME HOW

X

Newsletters

_{All-access pass to the top stories, events and offers around town.}

• No Thanks
• Sign Up

X

SUCCESS!

You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!

With the advance guard already established in Boulder, Native Foods came to Glendale in 2013, serving its meatless menu at the CitySet development — and quickly garnering a Best of Denver award for Best Vegetarian Restaurant, a rarity for a chain restaurant. That location is still open.

The company's current contraction isn't limited to Colorado; Native Foods closed the last of three Washington, D.C.,-area stores in December.

Are there too few vegans in this otherwise health-crazed state to feed Native Foods? Or do plant-based eaters just prefer something a little more earthy and homegrown to satisfy their meatless munchies?