Subsidized Food Hall Opens in Denver

Six local food vendors will soon operate from a new subsidized space in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood. The facility, named Eats on the Platte, is owned by the Denver Housing Authority and aims to provide affordable entry points for entrepreneurs to launch their businesses.

Erin Clark, the chief real estate investment officer for the Denver Housing Authority, stated the primary goal is to give local owners a foothold. She explained that the agency wants to provide opportunities for vendors to get up and running in a space where they can share their food traditions and cultures. Clark described the arrangement as a way to give businesses enough runway to thrive in the area.

Two of the six confirmed tenants are Jama Miami Cuban and La Brujola Cafe. Enrique Socarras, the owner of the Cuban sandwich shop, is designing a menu focused on fresh bread and pastries. He noted that the concept is inspired by the flavors he experienced growing up in Miami.

Charleen Ramirez-Mares, who owns La Brujola Cafe, is taking a different approach by keeping the menu simple. She emphasized that the business aims to avoid being pretentious about its offerings. "It's just good coffee," she said.

The food hall is part of a larger redevelopment project in Sun Valley that began in 2019. The Denver Housing Authority started demolishing more than 300 homes to make way for more than 900 new units. In addition to the housing construction, the city is developing the nearby area into Sun Valley Riverfront Park.

Officials view the project as a way to create a community gathering space. Clark said the agency envisions residents rolling up the garage doors to connect directly with the park. She described a scenario where people could stop for a coffee or a beer and hang out outside. Socarras predicted that the new riverfront exposure will attract people stopping on bike rides or passing through the area.

Ramirez-Mares expressed hope that the new business will contribute positively to the changing neighborhood. She described the current changes as cool and exciting and said the vendors are hopeful they can be a positive light during the transition.