Denver’s Classic Broker Restaurant Has Closed

END OF AN ERA NEWS: A classic Denver steakhouse is officially closed at 821 17th Street. The Broker Restaurant served its final New Year’s Eve dinner Sunday after 45 years inside the old Denver National Bank building. Westword eulogizes the fine dining establishment, which was known for complimentary peel-and-eat shrimp and steakhouse offerings such as beefs Wellington and Oscar. Over its years, the restaurant has expanded and contracted from multiple neighborhood outposts to the final downtown destination. The Broker hosted generations of first dates, weddings, anniversaries, and other milestone celebrations, according to fans and patrons. [Westword]

NEW NORTHSIDE NEWS: Illegal Pete’s opened its 10th store late last week at 38th Avenue and Shoshone Street in Sunnyside. Located in the former Lou’s Food Bar, the new fast-casual burrito spot is smaller and more intimate than most other Pete’s locations around town, but it packs in a big, full bar and spacious outdoor patio. Go for bowls, tacos, and 21 beers on tap.

LAST CALL NEWS: After a decade downtown, Blake Street Vault closed following a final New Year’s celebration Sunday. The bar’s owners are hoping to sell the building at 1526 Blake Street. They also say they’re getting too old for the late-night business, according to The Denver Post. No word yet on the (supposedly haunted) space’s new owners. [The Know]

DIA CENTRAL MARKET NEWS: The airport is shutting down two restaurants to make way for Denver Central Market later this year, Denverite reports. The second, abbreviated location of the popular food hall will open in the A Terminal with Vero Italian, Culture Meat & Cheese, SK Provisions, Curio, and Osaka Sushi. Meantime, 52 workers at Schlotzsky’s and Lefty’s Colorado Trail Bar and Grill are being laid off for the turnover. According to the airport’s labor union, these workers will have an opportunity to be re-hired for similar positions should they open in the coming year. [Denverite]