Downtown Denver has a new store just for dogs.  The Barkin’ Boutique & Bakery recently opened up at the Denver Pavilions in the former Yum Yum’s cupcake space next to Virgin Records Megastore.

All reports from customers I have talked to say it is very unique, well done and fun.  They sell all kinds of toys and accessories and I definitely will be checking our their seasonal freshly baked dog treats for this holiday season.  Welcome to Downtown!

I have been following the renovation of the Champa Center, at 16th & Champa, for over a year now.  It started out with just the remodeling of the ground floor and basement retail space and has now engrossed the entire building.  I first posted about this project last October and then again in January on the 11th & 28th.

The biggest change since the first post is that they did in fact remove that awning and a lot more.  Other changes are that the Library Bar & Grill will not be opening in the basement space and Key Bank will open a branch right at the corner.  I have been taking photos along the way.  The huge ad banners appeared just before the DNC in August.  The upper windows were removed about four weeks ago.  The Social Security Administration moved out a couple of months ago.

Reportedly the building will be re-christened as Champa Square when the project is finally completed.  The rendering I saw did include balconies but a potential new tenant does not like them so they are in limbo.  Also planned is a giant plasma screen that will be installed at the top of the building on the diagonal part of the facade - this is because the building is included on the edge of Denver’s Theater District.  My verdict is out until all of the work is finished.

One of Lower Downtown’s oldest historic buildings has been restored and reborn as an office building.  The Rocky Mountain Seed Company building at 1321 15th St. is now the headquarters for Johnston Wells Public Relations.  Renovation work just wrapped up and the staff of Johnston Wells moved into their new home on October 6th.  The Rocky Mountain Seed Company had their headquarters and retail store in the building from 1920 until their relocation in 2007.

I have always known the 114 year old building for its bright aquamarine color and the quirky window displays.  I have to admit that the building looks incredible and I think this is a great example of adaptive re-use of a historic structure.  You can see how remarkable the transformation is in the series of photos taken throughout this process.  Johnston Wells has been in Downtown Denver for 37 years and moved from Writers Square which was recently sold to a new out of state owner.  This is certainly a win-win for Downtown and I look forward to the companion building around the corner on Market St. being restored and brought back to life as well.

I was out and about taking pictures for blog updates this past week and noticed a construction trailer at the Colorado Convention Center.  Workers are in the process of converting formerly wasted space underneath the parking garage across from the Ellie Caulkins Opera House into new retail space.

I immediately suspected that one of the first tenants in that retail space might be the highly anticipated sales center for the Spire (41 stories, 503 units) going up right across the street.  This morning my suspicion was confirmed!  The sales center, at 700 14th St. , will be 7,900 square feet and feature two fully decorated models of their condo units.  I know that the center will be top of the line and cannot wait for it to open.  More updates will follow.

Local chef and restaurateur Frank Bonanno (Mizuna, Luca D’Italia, Osteria Marco) is opening up a new eatery in Capitol Hill.  Bones will open right at the corner of 7th Avenue and Grant St. - 701 Grant St. - in the former Sparrow Cafe space.  We drive by this corner all the time and recently noticed that the well known Bjork mural had finally disappeared (left over from when it was the 7th Avenue Cafe).  Lori Midson with the Rocky Mountain News confirmed some details when she interviewed Bonanno a week ago.

“‘It’s an evolving concept,’ says Bonanno, ‘but you can count on Asian noodles, steamed buns, an unbelievable wine and sake program, probably a sommelier and even roasted bone marrow.’ The tiny, 10-seat spot, titled after Bonanno’s childhood nickname, is not about making money, he insists, but about ‘having fun, serving cool food and creating a casual environment for the neighborhood.’  He also says Bones will be committed to carving ‘as many parts as I can from every animal that I serve.’” - Frank Bonanno

While I feel very sorry for the Sparrow folks that their final attempt at a concept failed (I still miss their first restaurant where LaLa’s is now) I think this will be a great anchor for this corner.  This of course begs the question; Can Bonanno push out the dive bar - The Lancer Lounge - which separates Bones from Mizuna and take over the entire corner?  Regardless, this little restaurant row area continues to thrive and I look forward to checking out Bones.

I started this post two weeks ago but have been so distracted with the economy, traveling and the election I forgot to finish and post it!

A couple of weeks ago on Friday night we grabbed dinner and a show as part of special someone’s birthday celebration.  We had dinner at Osteria Marco in Larimer Square and then saw the late performance of comedian Jim Gaffigan at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre at the DCPA.  I was surprised to see that the menu at Osteria had already changed - they did not have the sauteed mushroom antipasti I was hoping for - but the pizza I have posted about before was still good.  Our server presented us with a Lemoncello cocktail instead of dessert which was quite unique.

Seeing comedians at the DCPA is becoming one of my new favorite things.  Previously we had see Kathy Griffin in the same theatre.  Jim Gaffigan, who we have seen many times on Comedy Central, was hilarious and he even did an encore!  Even though our show started at 10:30pm (the first show sold out) I was pleasently surprised to see the theater packed and the throngs of people milling about after the show.  Denver continues to evolve into a real 24/7 city.

Next Thursday, October 9th, is the next Center Yourself:  LiveDowntownDenver Housing Event.  If you have not attended it before it really is a lot of fun.  It will be in the Grand Ballroom at the Oxford Hotel - 1600 17th Street - from 5-7pm.  There will be a number of new condo developers, downtown amenities and new rental communities who will be there showing floor plans and discussing their projects.

There is no charge to attend.  There will be great appetizers, free cocktails and a lot of great door prizes will be given away throughout the night.  This is a great way to start an evening out in Lower Downtown as there are tons of other great places around the Oxford to check out.  One of my favorites is the Cruise Room right downstairs from the event. 

Some of the exhibitors include; Spire, Four Seasons Private Residences, Acoma, Twenty One 01 Market, Denver Pavilions, Tabor Center, Frontview 40, Bryant 25, 2020 Lawrence, Fire Clay Four, Ballpark Lofts, Wynkoop Residences, Confluence Heights, Jefferson Park Townhomes and Welton Place.