South downtown Colorado Springs becoming restaurant magnet

Many people were sad when popular bars and clubs closed in south downtown Colorado Springs, but what’s replacing those businesses is generating excitement.

Eight food and drink establishments have opened in the 500 block of South Tejon Street — headlined by the Denver Biscuit Company.

Other new businesses include a bar, a liquor store, a pizza shop, a taco shop and an ice cream parlor.

The businesses apparently are capitalizing on an increase in hotel and residential construction, and counting on future sales from the planned building of two sports venues and the Olympic Museum.

A study released last week shows that investment in downtown development has risen 30% in the past year.

” We’re getting a good mix of Denver-based restaurants and local establishments, ” said Susan Edmondson , CEO of the Downtown Partnership. ” It has worked out better than I expected, and more are coming. I think the perception that Colorado Springs isn’t big enough to support some restaurants, is changing. ”

Edmondson said the downtown vacancy rate for retail properties is just 4 percent.

Lindsey Ryan, a manager for Dos Santos Tacos, said she’s excited to see new restaurants coming in.

” I’m from Austin, Texas, ” she said ” So this just reminds me of a big city-like feel, with more art and more culture. This is very hip and trendy — the art and the way everything is set up, reminds me of a bigger city. It represents change and growth, I think. ”

Many customers told KRDO News Channel 13 they like the expanded restaurant choices, while other customers want to see more.

” I personally would love to see more seafood, ” said Gina Smith. ” Maybe not a high-end steakhouse in seafood, but seafood, you don’t have a lot of that — especially in the downtown area. ”

” Chicago-style deep dish pizza would be great, ” said Cora Hall. ” There are at least three (restaurants) in Denver and none here. ”

The influx of new downtown restaurants has resulted in others stepping up to compete better.

Oscar’s, a Cajun-seafood restaurant in the 300 block of South Tejon , will temporarily close next week, change its menu and rebrand itself as Phil’s Midtown Grill.

On Tuesday, local and nationally-known chef Brother Luck opened a restaurant called The Lucky Dumpling, near the corner of Colorado and Wahsatch avenues.

Coquette’s Bistro and Bakery, located in the 600 block of South Tejon , took a risk when it moved there from a previous location two years ago.

” Nothing was down here then, but the owner liked the building and we needed more space for customers, ” said manager Chandler Love. ” All of a sudden, these new businesses sprang up. We’re glad to see it. ”

But Edmondson said she worries whether there will be enough parking for customers.

” That’s always the question, ” she said.