Three Denver restaurants have closed or announced their impending closure after just four to 16 months of operation. But all three had faced challenges before.
Pizza with rolling pin
Rolling Pin Pizza, which opened four and a half months ago in the former Tacos Tequila Whiskey shop at 1514 York Street, announced Monday that Aug. 24 will be the last day the shop will be open. The shop is owned by longtime Denver restaurant owner Kevin Morrison, who also owned Tacos Tequila Whiskey, and specialized in thin-crust, tavern-style pizza. At the time of the change, Morrison said he was revamping the concept because there were too many taco shops in the neighborhood.
Rolling Pin is deploying its staff to other Denver restaurants and hopes to one day reopen in a Denver suburb, according to an Instagram post announcing the closure.
Crêpes and crêpes
Crêpes ‘n Crêpes, a Cherry Creek staple for 19 years, moved to Denver’s Congress Park neighborhood in spring 2023. But the new space at 1222 Madison Street is now empty, Westword reported.
It is the second restaurant at this location to close shortly after opening: Billy’s Inn lasted less than a year and closed in November 2022. Previously, the address was home to TAG Burger Bar for several years.
AJ’s Pit Bar-BQ Steakhouse
AJ’s Pit Bar-BQ Steakhouse, which opened in January, has also closed, according to Business Den, which reported the news this week. It’s the fourth concept restaurateur Jared Leonard has tried at the 81 S. Pennsylvania St. space; the previous concept there was Clairette, a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail lounge and restaurant.
Leonard, who also owns AJ’s Pit Bar-BQ in Denver, Grabowski’s Pizzeria in Lakewood and Campfire Evergreen in Evergreen, hopes to reopen the steakhouse in the Denver suburbs at some point in the future, Business Den wrote. He will not re-lease the Washington Park space.
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