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Tony's Market plans downtown store

Gourmet market to open next year at 950 Broadway

By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 30, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.

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Founder and President Tony Rosacci, right, with son Dan, the CEO, at the Tony's Market on East Dry Creek Road in 1999.

Photo by The Rocky / 1999

Founder and President Tony Rosacci, right, with son Dan, the CEO, at the Tony's Market on East Dry Creek Road in 1999.

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Tony's Market, a gourmet food market in the metro area for three decades, will open its first downtown Denver store early next year in the former Planned Parenthood building at 950 Broadway.

"We've been wanting to come downtown for years," said Tony Rosacci, Tony's Market founder and president.

The new 15,000-square-foot store will be Tony's fourth and its largest. The other stores are in Centennial, Littleton and Castle Rock.

In the past, Rosacci couldn't afford the rent downtown, although customers in places such as the Cherry Creek and Country Club neighborhoods have been asking for a store in a location more convenient to them for years, he said.

Rosacci said he probably couldn't have afforded this store, which will cost about $2.3 million to $2.4 million, if not for a $350,000 loan from the Denver Office of Economic Development.

"Everyone in our family is putting all of their life's possessions to open this," said Mick Rosacci, Tony's son and head chef at the market's restaurant.

Tony's also has a catering business, which includes the Denver Broncos among its clients, he said.

"The city and county of Denver is pleased to play a critical role in helping Tony's Market expand into our central business district," said OED Executive Director Andre Pettigrew. "The new business location brings 50 new jobs to Denver, while filling a much-needed grocery element that is in such high demand given the growing number of residents living downtown."

Mick Rosacci said he expects the new market eventually will create 90 to 100 jobs.

He said some of the employees will be moving from suburban stores - who then will need to be replaced - and some will be new hires.

Mick Rosacci said the new store likely will have a bistro, which will serve beer and wine.

Tony's Market will join downtown gourmet markets Marczyk Fine Foods on East 17th Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood and Cook's Fresh Market on the 16th Street Mall.

Mario Scordato, chef at Marcyzk's, said he doubts Tony's will have much effect on Marczyk's.

"We sell a lot of different items," Scordato said. "We really have made a place for ourselves in this Uptown neighborhood."

A group created by Hyder Construction paid $4.425 million in April for the 46,796-square-foot building, according to public records.

Hyder will move its headquarters to the second floor and will lease the third floor to other office tenants, said Tom McLagan, president of Hyder.

Hyder also is building a surface parking lot that will provide access to the second floor on the site.

rebchookj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5207

Comments

  • July 30, 2008

    2:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ofcourse writes:

    Are you kidding me.....these guys need a loan to do this deal?

    I'd think they could do this from cash flow.....

  • July 31, 2008

    8:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoFan writes:

    When will it open? This is great news. I'll finally be able to walk to the grocery store.