Save Casa Bonita group raises more than $52k to save restaurant

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KRDO) -- A small group of people have come together to try and to save an iconic Colorado restaurant.

Like many businesses, Casa Bonita, famed for its indoor cliff divers, closed when the pandemic began. However, the restaurant never had the chance to reopen. In April, Casa Bonita filed for bankruptcy.

In an attempt to keep the restaurant open, a small group of people started a fundraiser and held a pep rally over the weekend. People held signs and wore shirts saying "Save Casa Bonita" outside of the restaurant on West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood.

The people who rallied outside Casa Bonita say they want it to reopen, be locally owned, and make some much-needed upgrades.

"We want to keep it the same, just less stereotypical," said Merhia Wiese, an artist originally from Denver. "There's no reason for the sleepy Mexican under the sombrero or bandito, those are old stereotypes. So much about Mexico, we can bring in to make it fun and family-friendly."

So far, the Save Casa Bonita group has raised more than $52,000 through a GoFundMe. They plan to donate under the condition that the community gets to have a voice about how the restaurant will reopen. If not, organizers say they will give the funds back to those who donated.

Filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy allows companies the chance to propose a plan of reorganization to keep their business alive and pay creditors over time.

Read more about Save Casa Bonita by clicking here.