Eleven of Denver's best culinary teams will open for business inside the Denver Central Market on Sunday, September 25. A modern throwback to the pre-supermarket era, this collective of owners and operators offers the RiNo neighborhood a way to shop for food essentials and gourmet items and the ability to enjoy a bite and a drink inside the reimagined 1920's building.
The force behind this project is developer Ken Wolf, who along with chef Jeff Osaka, brought together the group of talented chefs and food artisans. "I live in the neighborhood and I wanted to have a food-centric market that would serve this area," shared Wolf, who serves as landlord to several other RiNo businesses.
Here's the lowdown on what is inside the market designed by LivStudio, a counterclockwise tour of the space starting at the very front on the right:
Crema Bodega: A coffee geek's paradise curated by Crema owner Noah Price. There is an espresso bar, a sundry area featuring everything from aspirin to wallets and tshirts and art, plus eight golden taps where cold brew coffee and kombucha are flowing. Guests can also buy milk, eggs, coffee beans.
High Point Creamery: This is the second brick and mortar outpost of the Hilltop ice cream shop owned by Erika Thomas and Chad Stutz. The duo sells shakes and cones and pints and ice cream sandwiches. Bonus: Check out the walk-up window and the outrageous seasonal flavors like the fall zucchini bread.
Izzio Artisan Bakery: The family owned operation previously known as Udi's brought its pastry production operations inside this RiNo space. More than croissants and Kouign Amans, Izzio offers breads and a variety of attractive breakfast items from toasts to shakshuka.
Temper: French trained chef Jon Robbins of Bistro Barbès and Souk Shawarma is channeling his inner Willy Wonka with this new venture. At his chocolate counter, Robbins offers creations from other artisans but also individual chocolates made in-house with fresh ingredients and daring flavors like green apple yuzu.
Silva's Fish Market: A fresh seafood counter from chefs Jesus Silva and Jeff Osaka (both of Sushi Rama and Osaka Ramen) that gives guests the chance to buy a piece of fish to cook at home but also to enjoy crudos, oysters, and more right there inside the market.
The Local Butcher: The meat counterpart to the fish market, this business owned by Justin Herd offers beef, pork, and chicken, plus a rotating variety of sausages. Herd sources some 80% of his meats from Colorado and also offers two sandwiches, the meatball and the Italian.
Green Seed: Katsumi Yuso Ruiz and Stephen Julia brings this dynamic produce counter that offers fresh fruits and vegetables, but also salads and cold pressed juices in a variety of flavor combinations. Bonus: The big format citrus juicer is ready to crank out fresh orange juice.
SK Provisions: Longtime Denver chef Sean Kelly made a return to the dining scene last year with Park Hill's Desmond and now launches this rotisserie focused business where chicken is king and where porchetta, not yet available, may just blow your mind. At least that's what Kelly is saying.
Vero Italian: Fantastic pizzas and a selection of Italian dry goods is what this business owned by chef Andrea Frizzi offers. The chef, who is also in the process of moving his flagship restaurant Il Posto just up the street, also plans on retailing fresh pastas and sauces for guests who want a head-start on a home cooked meal.
Culture Meat + Cheese: Chef Justin Brunson brought an impressive selection of salumi from Old Major plus more variety from national cheese and meat vendors like Iowa's La Quercia and Colorado's Avalanche. Aside from the retail items, there are delightful grab-and-go sandwiches available.
Curio: The place to get an alcoholic drink inside the market, Curio, is led by the same couple that runs Green Seed in collaboration with consulting bartender Stuart Jensen. Curio is the only business in the market that will stay open after 8 p.m., serving until 11 p.m. on all but Fridays and Saturdays when it will stay open until midnight. The offerings include classic and signature cocktails, plus a selection of beers and wines.
The hours of operation for the market, outside the bar, are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Developer Ken Wolf gave Eater a tour yesterday, immortalized on Facebook live:
Here's the photo essay of beautiful new market by Eater photographer Adam Larkey: