Former Venue Space Will Soon Be Occupied by a New Frank Bonanno Venture

Frank Bonanno is at it again. The restaurateur who amassed no less than seven restaurants, two bars, and a pie shop in his empire will open yet another venture in his own neighborhood, the Highland, in the former Venue Bistro space, located at 3609 W. 32nd Avenue.

Until recently, when Old Major received the same certification, Luca d'Italia, one of Bonanno's restaurants, was the only city-approved restaurant to receive a HACCP plan [Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points to ensure food safety] for salumi production and the chefs from the Italian-inspired restaurant have been working closely with the Department of Environmental Health to expand the program. The rumor in the neighborhood is that the space will become a crafted sandwich shop where the meat curing component will be central.

"The Venue space would be a good fit, and it's in my family's neighborhood, so naturally we're exploring the option," said Bonanno through an email yesterday late afternoon. This morning, however, the news become more official and Lauren Hendrick, marketing director for Bonanno Concepts confirmed that a lease was signed for the space. " We're months out at this point, but Frank is excited to take the fantastic program to the next level. For now, we're just thrilled to have a great space," Hendrick explained.

There is a liquor license associated with the space. Back in February, the owner of the building, Kevin Reish, had the liquor license transfered to a company named 3609 W. 32nd Ave., LLC. A temporary license was issued but was never picked up from the City of Denver, Excise and Licenses. Whether Bonanno or another tenant take over the space, they will have the ability to benefit from a liquor license transfer rather than a new liquor license application.

In just the last year, Bonanno opened the Vesper Lounge located at 233 E 7th Avenue, in between Mizuna and Bones, two of his other restaurants, and Bonanno Brothers, a pizzeria located in the suburbs at the Park Meadows Mall.

· The Former Venue Space Appears To Have Been Released: Liquor License Transfer Pending [EDen]
· Venue Closes Its Doors Quietly [EDen]