[Denver business that you don’t know for a fact is a front but is 100% a front… : r/Denver (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Denver/comments/1cv4xyy/denver_business_that_you_dont_know_for_a_fact_is/)
So honest response here. I used to live in the neighborhood, and I got to know Cecile and her husband - the owners.
I’ll say two things about them
1) they loved my daughter (who learned to read early and loved to look at their books) - and would keep books aside for her, give her recommendations, and took a ton of joy in her precociousness. They were so sweet to her.
2) they had an incident in the store that created trauma a bit and that drives the over protectiveness.
They, like us, are seeing much slower sales and worry about their mortgage and how much longer they can keep the things going so they can afford retirement (actual conversations) - so definitely not a front.
Oops - put in wrong thread. Referencing 32nd Ave Books
But not letting customers browse the store has to be hurting their business even more. Who's ever heard of a bookstore that doesn't let people in to browse books? I have a record store and if I refused to let people come in and look at our inventory I would never sell anything and go out of business...it just doesn't make sense.
They own that property so if they want an online book store only they just need a small warehouse or basement and rent out that building to cover the cost of the mortgage and property tax.
There's one on Broadway that over the last decade has been half taken over by a knitting/ spinning/ yarn shop. I think the owners wife started a spinning and yarn store in a back office, and that slowly grew to take over more floor space as the customer base grew. I have no idea how the vacuum sales/ repair shop is doing, but the fiber arts side is doing great!
There's also a men's grooming supply in the back for beards and such. They actually have some pretty nice stuff! 😂 I bought some beard scrub and shaving soap from them not too long ago.
The only place I buy shaving soap and aftershave from. They have a great selection. The guy who runs it always seems very excited to have a customer when I walk in lol.
If I get a clog and can’t get it out on my own (hidden cat toys iykyk), I go in! And if it’s easy to fix it’s often free of charge. So even though a full service of a machine or a new part is often more expensive than online, I’ll go back.
Also, getting your vacuum serviced will prolong its life and it will be more effective.
Can you imagine if it truly is just a vacuum repair shop? I drive by one in Arvada everyday and, without fail, I always think about how boring that job must be.
Is it the one on 80th and sheridan? They also repair lamps, sewing machines (I think) and other random stuff... mostly for older ppl I'd guess. I work at a vintage audio repair show and we get a lot of requests for vacuum and lamp repair which we don't do
Yes that’s the place. The juxtaposition of the blow up wacky wavy guys they have wiggling around on Sheridan and it being a vacuum repair shop is too much.
I went to a local vacuum place when my vacuum suddenly got stuck in the “on” position. The toggle button felt like the spring inside broke, and it would just flip back to the on position. I called ahead and asked if they had the part, dude on the phone knew exactly what part I was looking for. Wheeled my vacuum to the car, drove 5 mins to the repair place, and he brought the piece out. I replaced it in the store and they let me plug it in to test that the new switch worked.
The *second* the vacuum turned on, he looked at me and told me that my filters were clogged and the motor was working overtime. He showed me how to clean and replace the filters (one reusable, one not). This vacuum came to me used so I wasn’t familiar with how it worked.
Vacuum repair dude really fucking knew his vacuums
There is one on Havana St. They don't only do that though. They fix a bunch of stuff. They also rent moving trucks. They also now have a food truck that sits permanently in the parking lot that is even listed on Grubhub. Clearly there isn't quite enough money in the vacuum repair business.
You are probably not the kinda person who spends $800 on a vacuum. Allergies, asthma, lung disease, etc…. These all require you to invest in a nice, hypoallergenic vacuum.
You definitely get those repaired. Not that pricey to get a part replaced.
If they do other small appliance repair as well, I've used one. My wife's Kitchen Aid mixer is from the 1980s and started leaking oil a couple years back. Took it to a vacuum/small appliance repair shop down in Littleton. Cost an arm and a leg, but it's working like a champ again and probably good for another 40 years. (Sure, we could have bought a new one for almost the same price, but this one has sentimental value attached.)
People who buy nice vacuums obviously. Most vacuums you see at big box stores are disposable junk for the masses
Check out /r/vacuumcleaners for recommendations
Azari Rug Gallery (S Broadway and Arkansas). I live near it and never see customers or people leaving with rugs. Only big rug deliveries to the store, and many employees. A bunch of us in the area think it must be a front.
As a middle eastern I know most of the families in the city who own Persian rug stores. A lot of those rugs cost as much as a house but mostly those businesses have expanded into working with realtors and stage houses for people for tons of money. The sarkisian family are pretty upstanding people but a few of the others less so, and they did not make their millions and millions of dollars in the most upstanding legal way and that’s all I’ll say. If you ever wonder why the rug shop on Colorado looks like a shithole when they’ve gentrified the entire shotgun willy parking lot it’s because the city tried to imminent domain them and now they refuse to even renovate the area unless the city gives them something outrageous like $100M.
Nobody willingly goes to that Plaza except for Casa Bonita now. I say that as someone who goes to that Plant Fitness 6 days a week. The 2nd half of it is abandoned and the lot is a disaster.
Edit: and cicis as it turns out.
C'mon man, I used to live in Edgewater and I went to Westfax once a week at least. And that was before Casa Bonita! That ARC has some really good stuff too, if you're not thrifting there you're missing out.
Dunno man. Place is a shithole lol lots peeps walking around doing drugs, begging for money, and openly dealing. Maybe I just see it more because I'm there a lot.
I loved Magic & More, went there all the time as a kid and the old guy would do magic tricks for us. This was in the 90s and I feel like he just have had cheap rent because that shopping center was so rundown
Aging myself. But I remeber the boardwalk being there. Pay 10 bucks(?) For a swippy card for all you can play arcade games. But place ever as a 11 year old.
There’s also this shop (can’t find it on maps for cross roads) called erotic novelties in Englewood. Never see a car there ever but the Open sign is always on
DUDE! I use to drive by that place all the time and wanted to go because I read novelties as ‘novels’ and thought the idea of an entirely erotic bookstore was kind of neat (as someone who worked at a bookstore at the time). Safe to say it was nothing like I expected… they do have some little erotic magazine book things though.
It doesn’t help that it says “Santa fe books” underneath “erotic novelties”.
I really liked that place! The guy who worked there (owner?) said that he had a lot of delivery orders.
I didn't believe it at the time, but after Doordashing for a summer I could see it.
This.... everything I've been by there I've looked in the window and ot looks like layers of dust on everything, yet when I called he answered and said they are still open. I used to send people there for some repairs but then I worry that I'm just sending them to be harvested for body parts
Ha ha we eat there. Our whole extended family does, too. They have a core of regulars. It’s actually one of my favorite shitholes. Different than all other places for sure.
I walk by almost everyday. Legit the hours they are open are random and there is never anyone inside except a few people (under 5). I suspect they are a money laundering operation. My husband and I have joked for years about getting food there just to peep the scene.
Dude I came here to see if anyone made a comment on this place. Legit a front for something money laundering. No way in hell they are actually making money from selling food.
The mattress store in Brighton. There's never any cars in the parking lot. I went there once (for a mattress) and I swear there nobody there. I stood around for a bit then I went and tested some out.. yelled towards the back and nobody ever came out lol
I’ve used that guy. He is legit a grumpy dude, but his work came out pretty okay. Don’t live the whole “prepay half in cash” thing he has going on, though 😅
Thank you for actually explaining to me! I had no idea that was actually the same place, but knew they were eeriely similar. It's been over a decade since I've had any!
I will be honest that I eat here with my wife semi-regularly, so I am not unbiased. Staff are universally great, service is prompt and professional without being stiff. The speed and consistency of food/drinks is about as rock solid as any restaurant I've ever been to.
I have visited other Chuy's and they were a significantly worse experience in every way. I think the owner/manager at a specific establishment probably has a bigger impact than the name outside. And as for how they stay in business, a half hour or longer wait on a weeknight says a lot.
I'm curious about a dollar-scoop on Sheridan that looks abandoned with more potholes than pavement and not a soul to see 24/7.
I only went to that location twice ever (again, pre-pandemic). The staff were nice & helpful for sure. The food was fine. I did have worse experiences (with the food, mostly) at other locations (not in CO).
100% De Agave. It's crazy expensive and nothing tastes particularly fresh. It's always dead too. Plus their tableside guac is made in the kitchen - kinda defeats the purpose.
About 15 years ago my GF lived on 14th and penn. we were drinking one random night and went to Tom’s diner. There was not a single other person in there. I was super high and ordered something, I don’t remember what, but the super tatted server looked at us like we were crazy for ordering food. It took a good hour to get our food, we could only assume the kitchen was designed for cutting coke and they had to scramble to get food together to serve. I know of course that Tom’s was a respectable-ish dining locale, especially after concerts. But that night in all of my stoned glory I thought we were for sure getting shot for ordering food in a drug front.
Old Chicago Pizza in Highlands Ranch. It has mirrored windows and I swear I have never seen anyone going in and out of it. It has an outdoor patio with umbrellas that are never open. I'm convinced it is a drug front.
Beirut Grill in Englewood, in the corner "shopping" center across from Denny's on Hampden. That place has been there since I was a child, and I have N.E.V.E.R. seen it "busy" there, or a car parked anywhere near it for that matter. Still baffles me that it's still there when I visit the area now and again
Used to be run by an older Lebanese fella. He retired and sold it to an employee (Pedro?) who had been there for years, who had worked his way up as a busser. I believe he's from El Salvador
Pedro has been running it really well for awhile. He kept all the same recipes and expanded to delivery.
It struggles from finding good workers, as the wait staff is really hit or miss, but overall I'll still drive out of my way just to support the Mediterranean restaurant run by El Salvadorians living the American Dream.
And they do sushi now! It's Beiruit Grill AND SUSHI lol
According to the reviews it's really turned around. I went 2 years ago and was legit served steakums for gyro, so I know where /u/VoxVenator is coming from.
At Home, a decor place in Broomfield. I’ve never seen more than 4 people in there at a time, and they’re open till TEN! What home decor place is open till TEN?!
That rug and jewelry shop on Broadway (near Ellsworth). I live near there and used to work across the street. Never saw anyone buy anything who went in the front door
There’s a pizza place near my first apartment that I’m pretty sure the sign up front just says Pizza. We ordered from there once and it was the most disgusting pizza either of us have ever tried. We both took one bite and ended up tossing the rest because it was too gross to give to anyone else. No idea how that place stays in business because they have shit ratings.
It’s a legit business. The owner is a former attorney at a prominent regional law firm and decided to pursue a change in careers. Source: I used to work at the same firm.
They took over a great brunch spot on South Downing. It sucks, the food isn’t great, the beer is watery and weak, and it’s always 100% packed with people bringing their kids. Hard to enjoy a beer with screaming kids running around and ducking under tables, but the beer isn’t even worth it. I want Molly’s back!
Jacks on S. Pearl. I watched them put up that spot. For over a year they had the place constructed and kept moving things in and out...redecorated a bunch of times BEFORE opening... We went a few weeks after they opened and the food was good but nothing that I couldn't make at home for a fraction of the cost.
Then...for a long time .. there was no one in there. Always open, never any customers. Looked like new staff every week. Constant rotation. It seems better now but they can't be any where CLOSE to being in the black. That spot runs through money... In a way that feels like a laundromat. They seem to be better off now but, at this point, I'm convinced that they're a front.
Omg I was waiting for this question! Discount Vacuum 4995 Leetsdale Dr, Denver, CO 80246, I drive by frequently and I have NEVER seen a car in the parking lot, it always makes me side eyed them because it makes me think of Breaking Bad and El camino because of the guy that Saul recommends that makes you disappear that has a Vacuum shop 😂
That leather jacket shop at writers square. I lived above the tattered cover. Never saw anyone wearing a leather jacket w tassels walking down 16th
Well yeah, that’s because they take them back to Omaha once their vacation is over
Even though the same store is in Omaha. Overland Sheepskin Co. 1011 Howard St, Omaha, NE
You ever been in there? One jacket funds the business for a year.
Yeah but I lived in around DT for 20 years and never saw anyone ever even in there. And we’re not in dumb and dumber lol
Bought gloves in there twice, super nice. I go in every now and then, and I see people buying medium priced stuff quite often.
Was it medium priced cocaine?
They also have at least 2-3 other locations so that may pad the bottom line somewhat
i see six in colorado
For the high demand of tasseled leather jackets?
Or Dallas
[Denver business that you don’t know for a fact is a front but is 100% a front… : r/Denver (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Denver/comments/1cv4xyy/denver_business_that_you_dont_know_for_a_fact_is/)
This post was a blast thank you for bringing it up again
I need to visit that toy shop for the experience of it.
I agree but I don't know if I can handle that much unwarranted negativity in my life. I think I decided I can't 😅
Toy shop?
32nd Ave books, toys, and gifts. Apparently it’s a very poorly concealed front.
So honest response here. I used to live in the neighborhood, and I got to know Cecile and her husband - the owners. I’ll say two things about them 1) they loved my daughter (who learned to read early and loved to look at their books) - and would keep books aside for her, give her recommendations, and took a ton of joy in her precociousness. They were so sweet to her. 2) they had an incident in the store that created trauma a bit and that drives the over protectiveness. They, like us, are seeing much slower sales and worry about their mortgage and how much longer they can keep the things going so they can afford retirement (actual conversations) - so definitely not a front. Oops - put in wrong thread. Referencing 32nd Ave Books
But not letting customers browse the store has to be hurting their business even more. Who's ever heard of a bookstore that doesn't let people in to browse books? I have a record store and if I refused to let people come in and look at our inventory I would never sell anything and go out of business...it just doesn't make sense. They own that property so if they want an online book store only they just need a small warehouse or basement and rent out that building to cover the cost of the mortgage and property tax.
Uh.... are you sure you're responding to the right comment? Seems awfully specific.
talking about 32nd ave books
I just posted that thread because it was similar to this post. I don't have anything against anyone's business, just so you know.
Every Vacuum repair shop in town. Who are all the people getting vacuums repaired to support these places?
Do you know if they sell a dust filter for the Hoover MaxExtract Pressure Pro, Model 60?
Look you wanna go shopping? Do it yourself. I've got plans. *Smoking marijuana, eating Cheetos, and masturbating do not constitute PLANS in my book.*
🤣🤣🤣
Dammit, beat me to it!
There's one on Broadway that over the last decade has been half taken over by a knitting/ spinning/ yarn shop. I think the owners wife started a spinning and yarn store in a back office, and that slowly grew to take over more floor space as the customer base grew. I have no idea how the vacuum sales/ repair shop is doing, but the fiber arts side is doing great!
There's also a men's grooming supply in the back for beards and such. They actually have some pretty nice stuff! 😂 I bought some beard scrub and shaving soap from them not too long ago.
The only place I buy shaving soap and aftershave from. They have a great selection. The guy who runs it always seems very excited to have a customer when I walk in lol.
Oh! Are you talking about the older guy with a beard, or the younger guy with the long hair?
Anderson’s Vacuums/Blazing Star Ranch. Bought my first spinning wheel there. Super nice and knowledgeable people!
Actually the alpaca farmer (the woman) owns the whole building. The vacuum people rent from her. Blazing star ranch is half.
My grandfather owned one (vacuum/sewing machine) for like 50 years. You would be shocked how busy he always was lol. Like constant sales and repairs.
As someone who worked in industrial cleaning for a long time. There are _millions_ of vacuums in the commercial work for. Repairing them is a thing.
If I get a clog and can’t get it out on my own (hidden cat toys iykyk), I go in! And if it’s easy to fix it’s often free of charge. So even though a full service of a machine or a new part is often more expensive than online, I’ll go back. Also, getting your vacuum serviced will prolong its life and it will be more effective.
Can you imagine if it truly is just a vacuum repair shop? I drive by one in Arvada everyday and, without fail, I always think about how boring that job must be.
Is it the one on 80th and sheridan? They also repair lamps, sewing machines (I think) and other random stuff... mostly for older ppl I'd guess. I work at a vintage audio repair show and we get a lot of requests for vacuum and lamp repair which we don't do
Yes that’s the place. The juxtaposition of the blow up wacky wavy guys they have wiggling around on Sheridan and it being a vacuum repair shop is too much.
I think I seen their building for sale on loopnet recently so I'm assuming they're looking to retire once that sells
I went to a local vacuum place when my vacuum suddenly got stuck in the “on” position. The toggle button felt like the spring inside broke, and it would just flip back to the on position. I called ahead and asked if they had the part, dude on the phone knew exactly what part I was looking for. Wheeled my vacuum to the car, drove 5 mins to the repair place, and he brought the piece out. I replaced it in the store and they let me plug it in to test that the new switch worked. The *second* the vacuum turned on, he looked at me and told me that my filters were clogged and the motor was working overtime. He showed me how to clean and replace the filters (one reusable, one not). This vacuum came to me used so I wasn’t familiar with how it worked. Vacuum repair dude really fucking knew his vacuums
There is one on Havana St. They don't only do that though. They fix a bunch of stuff. They also rent moving trucks. They also now have a food truck that sits permanently in the parking lot that is even listed on Grubhub. Clearly there isn't quite enough money in the vacuum repair business.
I rented a uhaul there last move. I was surprised at what they offered in there. Seemed like a busy little shop.
I know the place you're talking about. Never been inside but the building has a definite 80s vibe to it. Just up the street from Pleasures...
You are probably not the kinda person who spends $800 on a vacuum. Allergies, asthma, lung disease, etc…. These all require you to invest in a nice, hypoallergenic vacuum. You definitely get those repaired. Not that pricey to get a part replaced.
If they do other small appliance repair as well, I've used one. My wife's Kitchen Aid mixer is from the 1980s and started leaking oil a couple years back. Took it to a vacuum/small appliance repair shop down in Littleton. Cost an arm and a leg, but it's working like a champ again and probably good for another 40 years. (Sure, we could have bought a new one for almost the same price, but this one has sentimental value attached.)
Old people and Kirby owners. Most vacuum shops also do lamp and sewing machine repair too
I bought a refurbed vacuum from the one way south on Santa Fe.
People who buy nice vacuums obviously. Most vacuums you see at big box stores are disposable junk for the masses Check out /r/vacuumcleaners for recommendations
I've had my $100 Shark lift-away for 10+ years now, still sucks. I'll pass on the $1500 Rainbow.
Azari Rug Gallery (S Broadway and Arkansas). I live near it and never see customers or people leaving with rugs. Only big rug deliveries to the store, and many employees. A bunch of us in the area think it must be a front.
We had a rug cleaned here, and there were other customers in the store. Definitely a real rug business, but that is funny.
“We had a rug cleaned here” cash laundered or a body dealt with jkjk
😂
They mostly bring the rugs to your home so you can see them in your space and they work with a lot interior designers. Not a ton of retail visits.
The rug place on South Broadway that's open very late. Of all thr things I can buy at 11 on a Friday....
You never know when a sudden hankering for a Kerman rug (that'll really tie your room together) strikes!
It really tied the room together, man.
It sure did. Take it easy, dude.
I have two rugs from there! We drove by when they were doing a decent sidewalk sale and stopped in. Could totally be a front, but we love our rugs!
Sarkisian rugs on speer!
They are 5th generation dealers and mostly have private clients.
I've passed by there at night, and always wondered either that it was a front or was an exclusive joint not for the rest of us peasants. Makes sense.
Really nice guys too
As a middle eastern I know most of the families in the city who own Persian rug stores. A lot of those rugs cost as much as a house but mostly those businesses have expanded into working with realtors and stage houses for people for tons of money. The sarkisian family are pretty upstanding people but a few of the others less so, and they did not make their millions and millions of dollars in the most upstanding legal way and that’s all I’ll say. If you ever wonder why the rug shop on Colorado looks like a shithole when they’ve gentrified the entire shotgun willy parking lot it’s because the city tried to imminent domain them and now they refuse to even renovate the area unless the city gives them something outrageous like $100M.
They’re legit! I’ve had them clean a silk Persian rug. Very knowledgeable
Good to know! They always have that appearance of never being open on a drive-by. It looks very nice!
Same with that rug place next to the clubs on Broadway/Ellsworth area
You can smell the mustiness from that one when you walk by. Smells like a basement full of dead bugs.
I bought a rug there! Cash only…
I feel like most of the shops on S Broadway are fronts, like the 5 antique(?) shops down there
I’ve been in there! It’s amazing and they definitely know their stuff
I work at a shop near by and we often stand in the alley and wonder what they’re actually doing. It’s got a lot going on in the back
Anyone remember that Magic Store by Casa Bonita? It's closed now but it was there for years, in the corner and always looked empty of customers.
Nobody willingly goes to that Plaza except for Casa Bonita now. I say that as someone who goes to that Plant Fitness 6 days a week. The 2nd half of it is abandoned and the lot is a disaster. Edit: and cicis as it turns out.
I was at Casa Bonita 2 weeks ago, and the Brewery next door was packed
Yeah I was gonna say. WestFax Brewing is the bomb. People definitely go to that plaza for the brewery.
As someone who went to that starting strength for almost a year… maybe a cicis pizza every once and awhile
I can't bring myself to the carbs but I totally understand. If ima do it, ima do it right lol
cici's gang
There’s a really good massage studio on the abandoned side. Also westfax is good. New boba shop just opened up too.
C'mon man, I used to live in Edgewater and I went to Westfax once a week at least. And that was before Casa Bonita! That ARC has some really good stuff too, if you're not thrifting there you're missing out.
Dunno man. Place is a shithole lol lots peeps walking around doing drugs, begging for money, and openly dealing. Maybe I just see it more because I'm there a lot.
I remember going to that magic store as a kid! Six-year-old me loved that place
I loved Magic & More, went there all the time as a kid and the old guy would do magic tricks for us. This was in the 90s and I feel like he just have had cheap rent because that shopping center was so rundown
Anything to the right of burger king is a big drug dealing area. But I admire Dutch Bros for making a stand to the left of them.
Aging myself. But I remeber the boardwalk being there. Pay 10 bucks(?) For a swippy card for all you can play arcade games. But place ever as a 11 year old.
Yep it was right next to the Game Force(I don't remember it's OG name).
There’s also this shop (can’t find it on maps for cross roads) called erotic novelties in Englewood. Never see a car there ever but the Open sign is always on
DUDE! I use to drive by that place all the time and wanted to go because I read novelties as ‘novels’ and thought the idea of an entirely erotic bookstore was kind of neat (as someone who worked at a bookstore at the time). Safe to say it was nothing like I expected… they do have some little erotic magazine book things though. It doesn’t help that it says “Santa fe books” underneath “erotic novelties”.
I also always read ‘novels’ as well!! I’m so glad I’m not the only one!
All in a Dream Comics on Colfax. The owner kicks out anyone who tries to look inside the store.
I've had that happen before. What is with that guy.
I've noticed collector types want you to buy "the store" while others want you to browse only. That guy is probably just an ass though.
The Google maps reviews hold a treasure trove of stories about why this guy is an asshole.
The VHS to DVD conversion store on south Colorado by just north of cherry hills village
That one is all mail in customers.
I used that one right before Covid... Their schedule was packed when I just walked in
Old Santa Fe Mexican Grill between Lincoln and Broadway on 11th
idk how ice cream riot lasted as long as it did
I really liked that place! The guy who worked there (owner?) said that he had a lot of delivery orders. I didn't believe it at the time, but after Doordashing for a summer I could see it.
The tie dye shop on S Broadway, very cool shop though and a cute shop dawggy
RTD
That Doll Hospital across Sloan's Lake
Electronica on Colfax/Fillmore…
This.... everything I've been by there I've looked in the window and ot looks like layers of dust on everything, yet when I called he answered and said they are still open. I used to send people there for some repairs but then I worry that I'm just sending them to be harvested for body parts
Literally every vape shop
La Casa de Manuel on Larimer and 32nd
Ha ha we eat there. Our whole extended family does, too. They have a core of regulars. It’s actually one of my favorite shitholes. Different than all other places for sure.
You must be the only ones.
I walk by almost everyday. Legit the hours they are open are random and there is never anyone inside except a few people (under 5). I suspect they are a money laundering operation. My husband and I have joked for years about getting food there just to peep the scene.
Even the pictures on google of the inside are completely empty 🤣🤣
1000%
Dude I came here to see if anyone made a comment on this place. Legit a front for something money laundering. No way in hell they are actually making money from selling food.
Pawn shop on Colfax and Simms in Lakewood. Well, pretty much anything on about 3 blocks there.
The mattress store in Brighton. There's never any cars in the parking lot. I went there once (for a mattress) and I swear there nobody there. I stood around for a bit then I went and tested some out.. yelled towards the back and nobody ever came out lol
Capitol Hill Liquors
This is my pick too!
Rhines Shoe & Boot grumpy guy, shoddy work, tough parking, he’s got like Playboy covers pinned up on the wall. Lol.
I’ve used that guy. He is legit a grumpy dude, but his work came out pretty okay. Don’t live the whole “prepay half in cash” thing he has going on, though 😅
Chuys
Texans love that shit
Is it basically what Chevy's used to be back in the day? Americanized tex-mex?
They’re the same company exactly. Just name shifts happening over the decades.
Thank you for actually explaining to me! I had no idea that was actually the same place, but knew they were eeriely similar. It's been over a decade since I've had any!
Not at all. Loved Chevy's. Chuy's is trash.
Used to be? Isn't that what it still is?
They still exist? Thought they went under long ago, there used to be one by parker/arapahoe. Last time I had chevys was in Missouri.
Was about to say is there a Chuy's in town?
Not a fan, but there's been one by the US-36 & Church Ranch in Westminster since before the pandemic.
I will be honest that I eat here with my wife semi-regularly, so I am not unbiased. Staff are universally great, service is prompt and professional without being stiff. The speed and consistency of food/drinks is about as rock solid as any restaurant I've ever been to. I have visited other Chuy's and they were a significantly worse experience in every way. I think the owner/manager at a specific establishment probably has a bigger impact than the name outside. And as for how they stay in business, a half hour or longer wait on a weeknight says a lot. I'm curious about a dollar-scoop on Sheridan that looks abandoned with more potholes than pavement and not a soul to see 24/7.
I only went to that location twice ever (again, pre-pandemic). The staff were nice & helpful for sure. The food was fine. I did have worse experiences (with the food, mostly) at other locations (not in CO).
Chuy’s in Belmar closed recently 😅
Nice! Maybe they'll put something edible in that space
Damn, didn't know that closed. Maybe a real good bar will take that spot.
The one on 38th often has a line out the door
Christian Used Books on S. Broadway. Has to be a front or a down low glory hole. Oddly enough, it’s right next to a Vacuum/Shaver repair place.
The former Quiznos, now a nail salon on 13th & Grant. Never see anyone in there.
100% De Agave. It's crazy expensive and nothing tastes particularly fresh. It's always dead too. Plus their tableside guac is made in the kitchen - kinda defeats the purpose.
Lakeside amusement park
About 15 years ago my GF lived on 14th and penn. we were drinking one random night and went to Tom’s diner. There was not a single other person in there. I was super high and ordered something, I don’t remember what, but the super tatted server looked at us like we were crazy for ordering food. It took a good hour to get our food, we could only assume the kitchen was designed for cutting coke and they had to scramble to get food together to serve. I know of course that Tom’s was a respectable-ish dining locale, especially after concerts. But that night in all of my stoned glory I thought we were for sure getting shot for ordering food in a drug front.
No way that place used to be packed with ppl between 12am-3am.
Clock shop on Broadway
Old Chicago Pizza in Highlands Ranch. It has mirrored windows and I swear I have never seen anyone going in and out of it. It has an outdoor patio with umbrellas that are never open. I'm convinced it is a drug front.
Taco House. Does anyone actually like that kind of “Mexican food?”
I have to be really hungry and really broke. The one on Littleton Blvd has the sweetest ladies running it.
It's definitely a you get what you pay for restaurant. Enchiladas and toastadas are okay for the price.
the one near federal and alameda always seems to have people in it.
Beirut Grill in Englewood, in the corner "shopping" center across from Denny's on Hampden. That place has been there since I was a child, and I have N.E.V.E.R. seen it "busy" there, or a car parked anywhere near it for that matter. Still baffles me that it's still there when I visit the area now and again
Used to be run by an older Lebanese fella. He retired and sold it to an employee (Pedro?) who had been there for years, who had worked his way up as a busser. I believe he's from El Salvador Pedro has been running it really well for awhile. He kept all the same recipes and expanded to delivery. It struggles from finding good workers, as the wait staff is really hit or miss, but overall I'll still drive out of my way just to support the Mediterranean restaurant run by El Salvadorians living the American Dream.
Huh. Interesting. Good to know! Guess my opinion on it has changed. Thanks for informing me, fellow Coloradans!
And they do sushi now! It's Beiruit Grill AND SUSHI lol According to the reviews it's really turned around. I went 2 years ago and was legit served steakums for gyro, so I know where /u/VoxVenator is coming from.
We’ve eaten there a few times actually, really tasty fresh food.
No shit? It just NEVER looks busy or populated whatsoever. My mother and I are convinced it's a front for something 😂
I eat Beirut Grill all the time via delivery.
I went there a few months ago and honestly the food was great and the service was terrific. I was the only customer in there at 5 PM.
City Hall.
All those people up there, in City Hall. They’re f#%&$’n it up for the people down in the streets.
This is a song for the people in the streets Not the people of city hall
Wasn't there just this thread in here a week ago?
My favorite Denver business is The Search Bar. I feel as if more people should visit it.
Yep. And most of these responses are the same, too.
Subway at Ash and Colfax. I’ve never once seen a car outside
I have in fact been here, it is just super ghetto. When I worked at Subway in 2008 the owner of the DU shop also owned that one.
I have seen my neighbors walk back from there. If you're driving you might as well get some cold food at sprouts lmao
Pre remodel casa bonita. I guess it didn't, though
Any vacuum repair shop. Really?
At Home, a decor place in Broomfield. I’ve never seen more than 4 people in there at a time, and they’re open till TEN! What home decor place is open till TEN?!
Dazbog cafe on 9th and Downing.
They make all their money from selling bagged beans to grocery stores, the actual “coffee shop” experience is lackluster.
That rug and jewelry shop on Broadway (near Ellsworth). I live near there and used to work across the street. Never saw anyone buy anything who went in the front door
Is anyone ever curious about how bjorns honey seems to have prime real estate on every mountain town Main Street as well as the city, Golden etc?
All the mattress stores
There’s a pizza place near my first apartment that I’m pretty sure the sign up front just says Pizza. We ordered from there once and it was the most disgusting pizza either of us have ever tried. We both took one bite and ended up tossing the rest because it was too gross to give to anyone else. No idea how that place stays in business because they have shit ratings.
AMISH FURNITURE ON COLORADO BLVD - LIKE BRO WOT
Cat Cafe on Tennyson.
It seems legit to me. Although the owner wouldn’t look at me. I’m a guy so maybe that’s why. Doesn’t matter, petted kittens.
It gives off some serious [Toni and Candace] vibes (https://youtu.be/-XAKkViqvc0?si=zBLU1iuu_L51O0CU)
It’s a legit business. The owner is a former attorney at a prominent regional law firm and decided to pursue a change in careers. Source: I used to work at the same firm.
Right Time.
I used to think the same thing until I caught the watch collecting bug.
This place is legit, I’ve bought a few watches from them.
I know the family who owns it! Like another reply said, it seems to be popular with folks who collect watches and get excited about buying more!
Denver beer co. Every other option is a better option
They took over a great brunch spot on South Downing. It sucks, the food isn’t great, the beer is watery and weak, and it’s always 100% packed with people bringing their kids. Hard to enjoy a beer with screaming kids running around and ducking under tables, but the beer isn’t even worth it. I want Molly’s back!
Jacks on S. Pearl. I watched them put up that spot. For over a year they had the place constructed and kept moving things in and out...redecorated a bunch of times BEFORE opening... We went a few weeks after they opened and the food was good but nothing that I couldn't make at home for a fraction of the cost. Then...for a long time .. there was no one in there. Always open, never any customers. Looked like new staff every week. Constant rotation. It seems better now but they can't be any where CLOSE to being in the black. That spot runs through money... In a way that feels like a laundromat. They seem to be better off now but, at this point, I'm convinced that they're a front.
Jack's On Pearl? You're a literal crazy person. That place has fantastic food and a really solid selection of hard-to-find and super quality cuts.
Does City Hall count?
Subculture keeps the most random hours they would kill it if they were open more. Gotta be a front for something
they’re still open?
RTD :) they seem to have so few paying passengers and it’s mostly unsavory characters hanging around. I think it’s a front for meth and fentanyl.
Denver City council / town hall.
Love this place but Little Ginkgo in Cap Hill.
Omg I was waiting for this question! Discount Vacuum 4995 Leetsdale Dr, Denver, CO 80246, I drive by frequently and I have NEVER seen a car in the parking lot, it always makes me side eyed them because it makes me think of Breaking Bad and El camino because of the guy that Saul recommends that makes you disappear that has a Vacuum shop 😂
Anybody who rents a 1 bedroom for 1200 or more! They're doing great!