Two business turn-around experts have added Colorado spots that need saving in this season’s TV episodes.
Hotel “fixer” Anthony Melchiorri, who has more than 20 years in the hospitality business and has turned around high-profile places, including The Algonquin in New York City, will tackle the Western Riviera Motel in Grand Lake on “Hotel Impossible” at 8 p.m. MST March 25 on the Travel Channel.
Hotel "fixer" Anthony Melchiorri was impressed with Grand Lake when he came to Colorado to turn around the Western Riviera Motel. The episode featuring the Grand Lake motel will air on "Hotel Impossible" at 8 p.m. MST March 25 on Travel Channel. (photo courtesy of Travel Channel)
While the hotel needed some major overhauling, Melchiorri fell in love with Grand Lake, according to a Sky-Hi News article.
“I will go on record saying it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been,” Melchiorri told Sky-Hi. “I was blown away. Grand Lake is a piece of art. Every single time you turn around there is either frozen lake with a beautiful cloud over it, or there’s a part of the lake that’s not frozen with a sun over it, or there’s a mountain by itself or a formation of mountains. I’ve not seen the same landscape since I’ve been here.
“And then you take this beautiful town of Grand Lake that looks like the back lot of a Hollywood studio and you incorporate that with just beautiful, open-hearted people who know each other – it’s my favorite place, and it is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. And I thought Alaska and Hawaii would be tops, and this surprised me.”
More on Melchiorri and “Hotel Impossible” at http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/hotel-impossible. For information on the Western Riviera, go to http://www.westernriv.com/.
Long-time food and beverage industry consultant John Taffer tries to save failing watering holes on Spike TV’s show “Bar Rescue”.
He and his crew traveled to Denver last year to turn-around Zanzibar Billiards, 2046 Larimer. They spent four days filming, staff training and remodeling the Ballpark-neighborhood joint.
The show’s third season premiered on Feb. 10, and Taffer’s travels this year will include Denver. Spike TV hasn’t announced which bar Taffer will bring his brutal honesty to yet. For more on the show, go to http://www.spike.com/shows/bar-rescue/.
Wolff stepping down as Goodwill chief
After nearly three years as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Denver, Jesse Wolff has announced he is resigning.
During his tenure, Wolff has made a significant impact growing the venerable nonprofit’s mission, building the brand, investing in its employees and facilities and transforming the culture of the organization.
Since Wolff was hired in 2010, Goodwill’s revenues have nearly doubled and community donations have increased significantly. Also under Wolff’s leadership, Goodwill has created nearly 500 new jobs in Denver and northern Colorado, and the company is now among the 60 largest private employers in the state with nearly 1,400 employees.
Also over the last three years, Goodwill has opened 15 new retail stores, Outlet Worlds and donation centers – contributing millions in economic impact to the state.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” Wolff said. “In my time at Goodwill, thanks to the hard work of so many talented, hard-working employees across the company we’ve accomplished so much —we’ve increased revenues by more than 40 percent, we’ve increased the reach of our mission programs tremendously and we added 500 new jobs, just to name a few. The transformation of Goodwill that I envisioned has become a reality and I feel like I’m leaving Goodwill in a really good place.
“The decision of who will replace me will ultimately be made by Goodwill’s Board of Directors led by Carrie Mesch. I feel we have one of the strongest boards a nonprofit could ask for, so I am confident they will find someone who will continue to lead Goodwill on its path of increased mission impact, retail growth and employee investment.”
Upon Wolff’s departure, of which a date has not yet been set, David Brunick, Goodwill’s vice president of human resources, will act as interim CEO.
Ford Big Apple bound
KYGO-FM country radio veteran Kelly Ford posted this on Twitter Friday after she landed at La Guardia Airport: “If I can make it here I can make it anywhere. I’ve got a bit of news. After over 20 great years in Denver, I’m excited to begin a new broadcasting adventure at NASH-FM and thrilled to be a part of bringing country back to NYC. Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement.”
Congrats, Kelly! Hope the Big Apple doesn’t bite.
Bring your business to the 16th Street Mall
Calling all entrepreneurs, small business owners, local retail shops, eateries, artists, and crafters.
The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District and the Downtown Denver Partnership are inviting small businesses and entrepreneurs to learn about the 16th Street “Marketplace on the Mall” outdoor retail and food vending program.
They are looking for unique and diverse vendors who have something new to bring to the ever-popular 16th Street Mall. New this summer will be weekend markets and events that provide traveling artists, crafters, inventors, home businesses, small businesses and boutiques with opportunities for short-term sampling, product introduction and business promotions on the Mall.
Are you a foodie with a passionate team who can bring something new to the downtown table every Monday through Saturday? Do you have an idea, a craft or an invention that you want to show off a few Thursdays through Saturdays? Is there a fun activity or event that you’ve wanted to create but you weren’t sure where you might make it happen? Are you a creative artist stuck inside a business suit looking for a weekend sales venue?
Whether you have a full-time, first-to-market food idea or a tried-and-true retail product that just isn’t available on the Mall, you may be eligible for selection.
To learn how 16th Street Marketplace participants are selected, and to hear an overview of all outdoor retail, special events, summer activities and vending opportunities available on the Mall, there will be an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. March 7 at the DDP offices, 511 16th St., Suite 200.
Register by emailing info@downtowndenver.com or by calling 303-534-6161 by Feb. 28.
Lunch bunch
EDGE restaurant in The Four Seasons Hotel Denver is adding a lunch special to the menu during Denver Restaurant Week
The lunch, at $26.40 for two people, includes two burgers with two toppings, two sides and two milk shakes, available through March 9 in the restaurant only.
Guests can choose from an Angus, chicken or buffalo burger and choice of two toppings (bacon, marinated onion, avocado, cheddar or Swiss), plus choice of side dish (house cut fries, garden salad, terra chips or fruit kebabs) and choice of half pint milkshake (cookie monster, chocolate, vanilla or strawberry). Upon request, iced tea or soft drinks can be ordered in place of the shake.
Eavesdropping on a guy in a Vail bar to gal in a group of gals: “Hey, I’d like to get to know your girlfriend.”
“So would half of Vail Valley.”
“So how can I get her attention?”
“Grow seven inches and lose 16 years.”
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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