The Source Swaps Four Businesses and Gets a Major Makeover

In 2013, the notion of a food-and-retail collective in the industrial River North nook of urban Denver was novel; but fast-forward five years, and the Source was merely the first of several such mixed-use projects in the immediate vicinity, let alone the Mile High City at large.

Now, it’s time for a refresh, as the market hall has bid farewell to four businesses in a year and now plans to undergo dramatic transformation during the next few months. Zeppelin Development’s “Source 2.0” will tinker with the day-to-night transition of the space and depend on new tenants including Reunion Bread Company and Isabel, while flagship restaurant Acorn and the common areas will evolve as well.

In the center of the action, Isabel will take over the soon-to-depart RiNo Yacht Club. The anchor of the industrial-chic space will be named for Isabel Nesmith Evans, the president of Colorado Iron Works — yes, the company that built and operated the original 1880s foundry.

Led by Justin Anderson, Michael Huebner, and Annie Montgomery, the new bar will concoct a fresh daytime juice program in collaboration with Chicago’s Harvest Juicery, serving wellness shots and smoothies by day and Latin-American cocktails as well as wines and beers by afternoon and evening. Snacks from surrounding Source vendors — including Comida and Mondo Market — will be available to order. Diversified seating options will wrap around Isabel, including a lounge area and library table for laptop-clad visitors.

From Venezuelan bread maker Ismael de Sousa, Reunion Bread Company will bring its European baked breads and pastries to Denver starting January 19. De Sousa’s global perspective will dictate the menu, featuring varieties such as rye caraway flax, cranberry walnut, and olive za’atar, as well as Portuguese custard tarts and golfeados, Venezuelan sticky buns.

Meanwhile, Acorn will expand into the former Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe, opening a new, adjacent concept that remains under wraps for now.

• RiNo Yacht Club is Leaving the Source [EDEN]
• New Broadway Market Starts to Look More Like Its Aurora Predecessor [EDEN]
• Western Daughters Departs From the Source [EDEN]