The City Just Kicked Backstage Coffee Out of the DCPA

Backstage Coffee closing following eviction from space inside DPAC

Backstage Coffee, which spent 13 years inside the Denver Performing Arts Center, will close today after being evicted from that space, although its owners and the city disagree on the reason for the eviction.

Last Friday, the owners of Backstage Coffee announced in a Facebook post that a Denver judge had ruled for the city to evict the shop because it had failed to provide sales reports to the city of Denver, which serves as the shop’s landlord. However, the owners claimed the city had not previously asked for sales reports in the three years since it had taken over operation of the DPAC. The post also suggested the owners believe the city wanted the shop gone so it could replace it with a corporate food service group. Backstage’s owners also encouraged patrons to continue to support local businesses around the DPAC.

However, BusinessDen reported the city claims that Backstage is $73,391.61 behind on rent. Backstage’s owners did not dispute that assertion but said they are behind because the city removed the coffee shop space’s HVAC system last year, leading to a decrease in sales. They said they are now suing the city for removing the HVAC system.

BusinessDen also reported that the caterer Centerplate will take over the space in the short term while the city considers longterm plans. Backstage’s owners indicated they would like to reopen in the future but will take time to consider that will possibility. [BusinessDen]

Teriyaki Madness opening near Union Station

Teriyaki Madness, a fast casual chain specializing in teriyaki chicken and beef noodle and rice bowls will open a new location near Union Station next week, Franchising.com reports. The new location, which is located at 1920 17th St., will have a restaurant layout geared toward take out and delivery, which Franchising.com reported now accounts for 65 to 80 percent of sales at the chain’s stores.

In addition to its trademark noodle and rice bowls, the menu at Teriyaki Madness also includes eggrolls, edamame, crab rangoons, and other appetizers. The new location will be the chain's first in Denver, although it has others in Centennial and Wheat Ridge. [Franchising.com]

A new pool hall and barbecue restaurant are coming to North Broadway

A new pool hall and barbecue restaurant called Memphis Cue Hall is now slated to open on North Broadway in March, Denverite reports. David Mot, who has owned several other nightspots in Denver including the old Club Boca nightclub on Champa Street, is opening the new hall, which will be located in a 3,200-square-foot space at 333 North Broadway.

The space will feature six pool tables and have a capacity of about 40 to 50 people. BusinessDen previously reported last January that Memphis Cue Hall will offer barbecue, burgers, and chicken wings as well as a small bar. [Denverite and BusinessDen]

• Backstage Coffee in DCPA evicted over unpaid rent [BusinessDen]
• Teriyaki Madness opens corporate shop in Downtown Denver [Franchising.com]
• Memphis Cue Hall, a pool hall for serious players, eyes March opening [Denverite]
• Billiards Bar coming to Broadway plans to cater to serious players [BusinessDen]