Pagliacci’s, the iconic Italian eatery 1440 W. 33rd Ave., plans to close after Aug. 19.
The news, which was posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page, came as a blow to Denver devotees who have patronized the place – many times for special occasions – since it opened in 1946. Not only is Pagilacci’s closing, the building is under contract to a new owner who intends to tear down the restaurant and construct an apartment building on the site.
Mark Gonzales-Langston, the restaurant’s general manager who represents the third generation out of five that have worked in the family business, said, “It was a family decision to get out of the restaurant business and look at a different avenue for us. We’ve decided to explore food production.”
Gonzales-Langston called the restaurant’s closing “bittersweet. It’s been a great 66 years”. He grew up in the business since age 10 when he started rolling meatballs.
The family is in negotiations with a local roshe run flywire manufacturer to potentially produce prepared food such as marinara sauce, soup, salad dressings and fresh pasta under the Pagilacci’s label. “Our name hasn’t been sold,” Gonzales-Langston emphasized.
Here’s what was posted on Pagliacci’s Facebook page:
“Pagliacci’s is announcing our last day of service. Many thanks go out to the generations of families and other businesses with which we have worked. We hope the restaurant will be remembered for our patron’s personal celebrations over the years and the sense of nostalgia we were able to share and enjoy.”
“As you may or may not know, Pagliacci’s has been the only Italian restaurant in Denver that… can boast, for 66 years, we are the only Italian restaurant to remain in the original family, in the original location, and operate under the original name.
“The name ‘Pagliacci’s’ has not been sold. The family will be exploring the possibility of a line of food products. Our projected last day of service is Sunday, Aug. 19. Thank you everyone, it has been a pleasure to meet you all.”
To read about the history of Pagliacci’s, visit www.ipagliaccio.com.
Wedded bliss
Hospitality pros Marjorie (Marj) Horowitz (KM Concessions) and Robert (Bob) Bonner (Richard Sandoval Restaurants) tied the proverbial bread knot Saturday during their nuptials held at The Golden Hotel in (where else?) downtown Golden.
More than 100 well-wishers gathered on the patio for the ceremony that had some Jewish flare where the couple stood under the chuppah or canopy that was constructed from fabric that was originally given to the bride’s parents as a wedding gift.
The wedding program carried a message from the now newlyweds: “It’s only natural that a love this huge be celebrated in a big way, so please join us at the reception and eat to your heart’s content, drink until you walk funny, and dance so your feet feel it the next day!”
Knowing Marj and Bob, those goals were met with gusto.
Party for a purpose
SoRewarding Presents Drink, Dance, Donate, beginning at 6 p.m. July 26 at Katie Mullen’s Irish Restaurant & Pub, 1550 Court Place.
Come party for a purpose with the RewardingCrew in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver. For tickets, go to SoRewarding.com.
Wine time
The American Wine Society Denver Chapter invites you to sip and savor sparkling wines from around the world during Summer Sparklers and Skewers, a benefit for Project PAVE, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Washington Park Boathouse (Exposition between Downing and Franklin).
Sparklers include Spanish Cava, Italian Prosecco, American sparkling and French Champagne. Project PAVE provides mental health counseling to abused children from low-income families (www.projectpave.org).
Parking for the Boathouse is available roshe run flywire femmes along the perimeter of the park or there’s limited parking within Wash Park.
Tickets are $50 and available at www.blacktie-colorado.com. For more information on the American Wine Society, go to www.aws-denver.org.
The seen
Former Nuggets star Chauncey Billups dining with friends Friday at Elway’s Cherry Creek. At another table, artist Michael Godard dined with friends and fans after his show at Fascination St. Gallery.
Eavesdropping on a 30-year-old woman talking about going to the Yanni concert at Red Rocks: “I’m not ashamed of my Yanni love.”
Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.
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