Changing city losing classic bowling alley

Elitch Lanes, the 63-year-old bowling alley at 3825 Tennyson St., will host its last bowlers on May 17 when the lease on the historic building runs out.

Business owner Cal Eichinger, who’s owned the kitschy place for 13 years and has been in the bowling biz for 40 years, said he wasn’t surprised when landowner Littleton Capital Partners declined to renew the lease.

With Denver’s land values hitting record highs, Eichinger figured that the landlord can sell the site for beaucoup bucks or lease it to a tenant with deeper pockets. An email and phone call to Littleton Capital Partners were not returned.

The building housing the bowling alley was built around 1900 as a trolley turnaround structure that was later converted to a coal barn, Eichinger said. It was part of the original Elitch Gardens amusement park and performing arts center location on West 38th. The Gardens moved, but the Lanes didn’t.

Eichinger said he’s been notifying the regulars little by little. “Some of the seniors are so bummed out,” he said.

But there’s a chance that Elitch Lanes will roll on in a new venue. Eichinger, who owns the name Elitch Lanes, said he’s meeting with another landowner today to discuss taking over an existing bowling alley 4.4 miles (he wouldn’t say which direction) from the existing business, which likely will take him to the ‘burbs.

“This center is so unique, I’ve never been anywhere like it,” said Eichinger who’s worked in and visited roughly 100 bowling alleys. “Our customer base is so cool — it’s a true cross-section of ages and ethnicities.”

To thank that customer base, Eichinger said he and his crew will throw a big exit bash around the May 17 closing date.

Missing these eateries

While I much prefer to write about restaurant openings in our fair city, inevitably there are those that close. Some are big losses to our Mile High palate, others were more obviously headed for an epic fail.

Thrillist.com, the irreverent food and drink website, has compiled a list of the “12 shuttered Denver bars and restaurants that we’ll miss.” They are: Bonanno Bros. Pizzeria in the Vistas at Park Meadows, Catacombs Bar in Boulder, Corner House Neighborhood Eatery in Jefferson Park, Chef Liu’s Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Aurora, Le Grande Bistro & Oyster Bar downtown, Ondo’s Spanish Tapas Bar in Cherry Creek, Oshima Ramen in southeast Denver, Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar downtown, Restaurant Kevin Taylor downtown, twelve restaurant in Ballpark, TAG Raw Bar Larimer Square, T-Wa Inn southwest Denver.

Read more about each closure by clicking here.

Chihuly adds to Gardens draw

Colorado, a new glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly, is now on view in Denver Botanic Gardens’ Ellipse garden at 1007 York St.

The work has been added to the Gardens’ permanent collection through the generosity of private donors including Robert and Judi Newman, John and Ginny Freyer and the RC Kemper Charitable Trust. It is made up of 1,017 hand-blown glass elements and stands more than 14 feet tall. Viewing of Colorado is included in Gardens’ admission.

Chihuly used a red, orange and yellow color palette as it reminded him of the skies and sunsets he enjoyed during Denver visits. Chihuly’s collection set record attendance numbers at the Gardens.

For more information, click here.

Yarrow to play at Oriental

Swallow Hill Music presents a concert by legendary Peter, Paul & Mary member Peter Yarrow at 8 p.m. April 17 at The Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. Tickets are on sale now online or by calling 303-777-1003, ext. 2.

Yarrow’s talents as a creative artist, with Peter, Paul & Mary and as a solo performer, are frequently directed at using music to convey a message of humanity and caring. His gift for songwriting has been evident in some of the most moving songs from Peter, Paul & Mary, including “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “Day is Done,” “Light One Candle” and “The Great Mandala.” Over the years, many issues have moved Yarrow to commit his time and talent, including equal rights, peace, the environment, gender equality, homelessness, hospice care and education.

“We’re part of a long train ride,” is the way Yarrow visualizes the many events that have highlighted a career spanning more than five decades. “When I was in high school, I heard The Weavers’ concert at Carnegie Hall where they sang songs such as `If I Had a Hammer,’ and `Wasn’t That a Time.’ It was inspiring, and it showed me the extraordinary effect that music of conscience can have.”

Tourism inductees

Denver’s second-largest industry will honor some of its top leaders at the Denver & Colorado Tourism Industry Hall of Fame dinner on March 18, at the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The 16th Annual Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame inductees are: hotelier and philanthropist Navin Dimond; Larimer Associates CEO Jeff Hermanson; and tournament and executive director of the Colorado Crossroads Volleyball Tournament Kay Rogness. A special posthumous award will be presented in honor of cable pioneer, businessman and founder of the Daniels Fund Bill Daniels.

For ticket information, contact Lindsey Riddle, lriddle@visitdenver.com or 303-571-9405.

Overheard

Eavesdropping on a bartender to a male customer at LoHi Steak Bar: “You want another drink?”

“I’m just drunk enough to start getting emotional.”

Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. She can be reached at penny@blacktie-llc.com or at 303-619-5209.

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