by Mark Smiley | Jun 26, 2022 | Travel
Ice Chests To Consider For Your Summer Pleasure
by Mark Smiley
The summer months are upon us and it is time to keep your drinks and food cold for backyard barbecues, soccer tournaments, and trips on the lake. Whether you are in the market for a new cooler, want to add to your fleet, or just want an upgrade, there are a few different kinds to consider and none of these three brands begin with the letter Y.
OtterBox Venture 25
Venture 25: Otterbox is headquartered in Colorado, and its Venture 25 is a versatile and rugged premium cooler.
OtterBox, perhaps best known for its phone cases, has a line of premium coolers that are all made in the United States. OtterBox is based in Colorado and has built a rugged line of Venture coolers in the 25-quart, 45-quart, and 65-quart sizes.
We found the 25-quart size plenty large enough to hold all of the essentials and keep them cold for days. Ice retention on this lasted four days in our test. It was kept in the garage and away from the sun. If kept in a cooler environment with a thermal blanket over it, we are confident it would have lasted for many more days.
The Otterbox Venture 25 is well insulated due to a 2-inch thick, dense foam insulation made of industrial-grade, closed-cell polyurethane. It weighs just under 17 pounds and features silicone seals and latches. We found this cooler to have some of the toughest latches around which is ideal for those using it for camping.
Another feature that separates it from the competition is the durable integrated handles. Most coolers at this size and price point have rope handles. We found carrying this cooler was a bit easier than most of the other models we tested.
Add in a mounting system which allows for added accessories, anti-slide rubber feet, and an attractive design, this cooler should be added to your inventory as it checks the boxes and provides most small families precisely what they are looking for, a cooler that keeps items cold, and is easy to transport.
Visit www.otterbox.com for more information. At press time, the Otterbox Venture 25 was 20% off and selling for $183.99.
GOAT BOXCO
HUB 50: GOAT BOXCO’s HUB 50 is a premium cooler that includes water resistant cans that easily insert into the side of the cooler. The cooler is one that is ideal for just about anything including hunting, fishing, tailgating, or backyard BBQs.
www.GoatBoxCo.com launched their GOAT Cooler System during the COVID-19 pandemic and have created one of the most innovative and stylish coolers on the market. The name GOAT actually means GO AT whatever makes you happy in life according to co-founders Jack Robbins and Gary Dickerson. And building this cooler has been something that has made them happy.
This is another cooler made in the U.S.A., and its rugged design turned heads while testing. It features customizable storage and organization with cans that are designed to hold essential gear for any adventure and slide conveniently into compartments on the side of the cooler. They are built from the same polycarbonate that NASA uses and are water resistant. Whether it be a first aid kit, a place to store can koozies, BBQ essentials, or many other items, it is a creative way to keep items separated and dry.
Ice retention, which most people judge a cooler by, on this model, the HUB 50 (there is also a HUB 70 model), was one of the best on the market, outperforming some of the bigger named coolers. Ice remained ice for six days under warm temperatures and without using the “sacrificial bag of ice” to prep it. This cooler is one you would want to take on a fishing trip, a long weekend, tailgating, or just a backyard BBQ.
GOAT BOXCO strives to improve upon its product and values input from its customers on what could be changed or improved upon. Look for new products and accessories to be launched in the coming year.
To learn more, visit www.GoatBoxCo.com.
Canyon Coolers
NOMAD 20: Canyon Cooler’s NOMAD 20 is an over-the-shoulder soft cooler with a solid reputation of ice retention and ease of transport.
Finally, the Canyon NOMAD 20 is the only soft sided cooler tested and thus is the most lightweight. The NOMAD 20 is an over-the-shoulder soft bag that is comfortable to transport wherever it is you need to go with the built-in shoulder strap. Ice retention on this lasted three days and would most likely last longer if it were stored in a cooler place and prepped with a bag of ice the day before using.
Based in Flagstaff, Ariz., Canyon Coolers launched in 2010 and has one of the best warranties of any cooler company. It features a lifetime, no-fault, no-hassle warranty. They stand behind their products and it is easy to see why, with the NOMAD 20 outperforming the Yeti Hopper Flip in ice retention.
The NOMAD 20 is ideal for transporting food and drink for a quick staycation, your kid’s soccer game, or as a guest for a backyard BBQ. It even features a built-in bottle opener. This cooler is durable, stylish, and holds quite a bit of product for being an over-the-shoulder soft-sided cooler.
There are plenty of five-star reviews from users making this a popular choice that won’t break the bank. For more information, visit www.canyoncoolers.com.
The three coolers reviewed here are all different from one another. They have different designs and features that separate them from their competition. They share at least one thing in common and that is, they all keep your items cold for days. What more can you ask from a cooler?
by Mark Smiley | Jun 26, 2022 | Editorials
by Mark Smiley
Air Force Memorial: Paul Smiley, who served in the Air Force from 1968-1972, enjoyed visiting the Air Force Memorial on the 101st Honor Flight Chicago on May 11, 2022. The Memorial is located in Arlington County, Virginia, on the former grounds of the Navy Annex near The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the most visited memorial on the National Mall. Most of the veterans on Honor Flight Chicago 101 were Vietnam veterans so this stop was especially important to them.
F-100: The last stop on the tour was the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport. Paul Smiley poses in front of one of the planes he worked on while serving in the Air Force in Clovis, New Mexico. The F-100 Super Sabre was developed from the F-86 and was the world’s first fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight.
Honor Guard: The U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard performed for the veterans near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
This July, we celebrate Independence Day. I had the opportunity to celebrate a day of patriotism a little early as I accompanied my father to Washington, D.C., on the 101st Honor Flight Chicago. It was one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my life.
My dad, Paul Smiley, served in the Air Force from 1968-1972, during the peak of the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Clovis, New Mexico, and although he never went to Vietnam, he served our country honorably for four years. And for this, he was treated to a day of patriotism, appreciation, and honor on May 11, 2022.
Honor Flight Chicago’s mission is to honor, thank, and inspire by building awareness and appreciation of the debt of gratitude America owes its veterans for their service and sacrifice for our nation. “A lot of veterans come into the day thinking it is just a sightseeing trip but when they come back, they realize that was the sixth most important thing about the day,” said Doug Meffley, Co-Director, Honor Flight Chicago. “It’s really about our eternal gratitude from a grateful nation.”
The day starts early. Veterans and their guardians are asked to arrive at Chicago Midway by 4 a.m. the day of the flight. The entire morning is well organized and a team of volunteers are deployed in every corner to make check-in smooth. A special streamlined TSA line, Southwest Airline’s chartered flight, and other surprises along the way made the morning seem to fly by. All told, over 1,000 volunteers are in Honor Flight Chicago’s rolodex with 200-300 helping each flight.
The centerpiece of the programming is the day of honor in Washington, D.C., visiting the memorials built in tribute to the service of veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This trip is provided at no cost to the veteran and is intended as a heartfelt thank you for their service and sacrifice from a grateful nation.
“All that we hear from our Vietnam veterans is thank you for this healing and closure, righting this wrong, when I was welcomed home with open animosity 50 years ago,” said Meffley. “That gratitude factor is the future of our movement.”
“Honor Flight Chicago brought many emotions to me as I shared the experience with my son [Chronicle Executive Editor Mark Smiley] who served as my guardian,” said Paul Smiley, Air Force Veteran, 1968-1972. “Visiting the memorials throughout Washington, D.C., paying homage to our fallen heroes, and to those traveling with us who served our country was awe inspiring and memorable.”
The emotions that filled me were profound and will last a lifetime. The chance to be able to spend the day with my dad and over 110 other heroes who served our country was one of the best experiences of my life. And that emotion is something Meffley experiences for a living. “I say thank you as a profession,” said Meffley. “It is the most rewarding and fulfilling work that I’ve ever had. For me, it feels like a stronger connection to my own family’s history in the military. I never served but this is my way of giving back to my family members who did serve.”
The typical waiting period after applying to go on the flight is two to three years for a Vietnam veteran. World War II and Korean War veterans go to the front of the line. Some veterans such as my dad who did not see conflict, initially felt they didn’t deserve this day of honor. “Our firm stance is that if you served during a period of war, you deserve our thanks,” said Meffley. “By and large, you did not choose where you were assigned. You went into the service during a time of war, you were just as eligible as the next person to end up as a grunt on the ground in Vietnam. Our view is that all of them deserve our thanks and honor. It does take some convincing. We are not always successful to get veterans to fly but we find once they come back, we often hear I never thought I was a hero or I never did anything worth thanking but my view has changed after this day.”
I can attest that each of the 111 veterans on our flight was treated the same and with the honor and respect they deserve. And when friends of mine learned of me coming to the city where I grew up to experience this with my dad, they wanted to send their own message to my dad who they have known for 35 years.
“Thank you for your service to our great country,” said Andrew McKenna, family friend of Paul Smiley. “It is the sacrifices and challenging work that patriots like you and your fellow servicemembers made and continue to make that allow us to have this precious freedom.”
“This is a special honor for you to not only reflect on your experiences,” but to also celebrate your accomplishments,” said Robert Paetsch, family friend of Paul Smiley. “Your dedication to our country, your community, the church, your students, and your family have lifted us all.”
A little-known fact is that every flight, they travel with a flag box full of photos of veterans who did not live to exper
WWII Memorial: Paul Smiley, left, and Mark Smiley at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The WWII Memorial opened in 2004 and honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home.
ience their own Day of Honor. Some of those veterans never came home from battle. As Honor Flight Chicago 100 alum Glenn Taras said, “This is for those who didn’t make it home … to keep their memories alive.”
With the welcomed support of generous donors and a caring public, Honor Flight Chicago intends to continue its mission to include veterans of wars — past, present, and future — as they recognize the bravery, determination, and patriotism of our veterans.
There are 130 HUBs around the country. Honor Flight Chicago will fly any veteran from the country so long as they can arrive at Chicago Midway Airport by 4 a.m. the day of the flight. For more information, visit www.honorflightchicago.org or to find an Honor Flight near you, visit www.honorflight.org.
by Regan Bervar | Jun 26, 2022 | Main Articles
“Justice is indispensably and universally necessary, and what is necessary must always be limited, uniform, and distinct.”
— Samuel Johnson
by Luke Schmaltz
Immigration policy and enforcement in the United States is ensnared in a three-way collision between the inertia of the Legislative branch, the duty of the Judicial branch, and the will of the Executive branch. Plainly put, Congress writes the laws on immigration, the Department of Justice enforces those laws, and the President tells them how to do it.
This entanglement of the three branches of government — which were originally designed to be “separate and independent” — sits at the heart of the Immigration Courts’ struggle to efficiently apply due process and to fairly administer justice.
The Long Arm Of The Law
Many people attempting to immigrate to the United States do not have a concrete plan of how to proceed.
Meanwhile, a large contingency of professionals across the vocational spectrum are immersed in this deluge, attempting to navigate the confusion and find some currency of reason. These individuals include judges, lawyers, clerks, administrators, detention facility staff, Federal agents, law enforcement staff and many others.
Additionally, the people embroiled in the system who are experiencing the most uncertainty are immigrants (lawfully admitted foreign nationals), non-immigrants (lawfully but temporarily admitted foreign nationals), refugees, and asylum seekers. The latter two distinctions are people who are outside their home countries and unwilling to return due to persecution or a well-founded fear thereof. The common thread between all of these folks is they are trying to find a way to remain in the United States.
Whether the wishes of noncitizens are granted is determined by immigration policy, which is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). While this piece of legislation has been amended numerous times since its inception in 1952, Congress has demonstrated a profound inability to engineer the bipartisan cooperation necessary to make improvements which match the current demand.
Staggering Numbers
According to a June 12 article by Claire Moses of The New York Times, “The number of people crossing at the [southern] border is at the highest it’s been in at least two decades.” These individuals are arriving from places such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, Haiti, and most recently, Ukraine. The vast majority are attempting to escape from poverty, authoritarian governments, natural disasters, gang violence, and war, while seeking economic opportunities.
A May 17, 2022, report issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) states that, during the previous month, U.S. Border Patrol agents recorded over 201,800 unique encounters at the southern border alone, along with 157,555 encounters nationwide in addition to 32,288 encounters by Office of Field Operations officers at various ports of entry. While some will be granted asylum, most will be detained and eventually removed (sent back to their home countries).
Unchecked and unbalanced, today’s Immigration policy hinders the courts therein from effectively handling the above numbers in anything resembling an efficient manner. The current system is fraught with hindrances of every sort, including a massive backlog of cases due to Covid-19 restrictions, staffing shortages, disruptive Executive branch policies, Congressional inaction, and political interference — to name a few.
An Immersed Perspective
The American Bar Association is proposing a set of solutions for streamlining the Immigration Court system.
While the immigration issue is a nationwide concern, a large number of cases are heard in Colorado in the Denver and Aurora Immigration Courts. Brian Clark is a Colorado attorney based in Alamo Placita, whose legal practice is focused on removal defense of noncitizens. Clark offers the unique perspective of a working professional who, on a daily basis, navigates and interprets the current set of policies for the intended benefit of his clients.
Clark offers detailed discourse on the obstacles faced by foreign nationals who are currently attempting to emigrate to the U.S. “ Under the current system there are short-term means that allow foreigners to come to the United States, such as tourist visas and student visas, but they’re intended to be temporary (although many people do overstay them),” he says. “Most foreigners attempting to emigrate to the U.S. in any long-term sense don’t really have a straightforward avenue for doing so unless they marry a U.S. citizen or can find a U.S. company to sponsor them as a skilled foreign worker.
“This, then, leaves the asylum process as a kind of default for many noncitizens who have left their countries of origin and have come to the United States, particularly for those from less developed countries. However, U.S. asylum law is very particular and tricky, with specific requirements that the person was persecuted in their country of origin based on certain immutable qualities about them (among other factors) — so a lot of noncitizens who come here for perfectly understandable reasons end up having a hard time showing that they qualify for asylum under the law. So, the primary obstacles faced by foreigners looking to immigrate to the United States are the lack of viable legal options available to them under current U.S. immigration law,” he explains.
Thank You, Mr. President
Clark faces myriad challenges as an Immigration Attorney, many of which stem from the tumult which arises every time a new President moves into the White House. “As a lawyer, when a prospective client comes to you seeking legal representation or counsel you have to assess the facts of their situation and candidly advise them of the viability of their case in light of the law,” he says. “That’s really tough to do when the interpretation, application, and enforcement of the law changes every time a new U.S. President is sworn into office, which is what has happened in recent years.
“A noncitizen who applied for asylum during the Obama administration may have had a strong case at the time the application was filed; and then after the interpretation of the law shifted during the Trump administration their case may have become markedly weaker as it moved through the Immigration Court process; but then during the Biden administration their asylum case may suddenly be revived and viable again. So, how strong a given case may be can depend on who the U.S. President happens to be when the case is presented in front of an Immigration Judge. That’s been one of the bigger challenges to practicing U.S. immigration law in the last few years — the unpredictability of the state of the actual law itself.”
Tumultuous Tides
Clark offers a front-row account of how the shifting balance of Executive power creates the see-saw effect which is so pervasive in today’s Immigration Courts. “In the last few years,” he begins, “The Department of Homeland Security has vigorously enforced certain aspects of immigration law under one administration, and then when the Presidency went to the other major party, they’ve been directed by the new administration to backtrack and dismiss the very same cases they were under orders to prosecute a couple of years ago. It’s anything but optimal, but immigration policy and enforcement have ping-ponged back and forth during the last three presidential administrations. And if the party in control of the White House changes again in the next election, then enforcement and application of the laws may well revert 180-degrees b
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is run by the Department of Justice.
ack to what it was under the last administration, and all the cases that are being administratively closed and dismissed right now could be reopened again by the next administration.”
Not What It Seems
Among the frustrations of Attorney Clark, are the inaccurate generalizations by which the immigration issue is portrayed in mainstream culture. “I’m not a partisan idealogue,” he begins, “I got into immigration law in part because as a young person I lived abroad, and I fruitlessly tried to navigate another country’s immigration system without an attorney. In the current polarized American cultural climate, I find it tedious that immigration is such a hot-button issue that both major political parties tend to cast in sweeping hyperbolic binary terms. In reality, actually practicing immigration law is not about broad categories of ‘good guys’ versus ‘bad guys’ any more than any other part of the legal system is. It’s complicated and nuanced.
“Some noncitizens in the U.S. really, really get screwed over by the system and it’s deeply unfair and unjust how much the current structure of the law is stacked against them — but then there are other noncitizens who are appropriately removed from the country after they have had their day in court. That’s kind of how all aspects of the law are, in reality; individualized and particular to the people involved. Immigrants, as a group, are not a uniform cohort in almost any sense, so I find it irritating when moral grandstanding and fearmongering are done on behalf of, or against, ‘immigrants’ as though that term applies to a homogenous group of people. It does not,” he explains.
Hope On The Horizon?
Rather than concede to the idea that Immigration policy is destined to stay where it is, Clark offers poignant observations along with constructive ideas on how the ship could be righted. “The Immigration Court system is housed within the Justice Department,” he begins. “So, it is not really an independent court system like civil and criminal courts. That means that Immigration Judges are unfortunately deprived of full independence and autonomy, which can create problems when the Attorney General decides that an across-the-board change in the interpretation or application of the law is to be made. The current Immigration Court system is overwhelmed by a massive backlog of cases, which frustrates and exhausts everyone involved with it; the lawyers, the judges, the clerks and administrat
The ICE Detention Center in Aurora has a massive backlog of cases waiting to be heard due to Covid-19 setbacks.
ors, and the noncitizens whose cases it is supposed to adjudicate. The administrators of the Immigration Courts appear to be focused as of late on tackling the case backlog, which is certainly necessary in the short-term, but it’s not a permanent solution to the problems with the Immigration Courts.
“The most reasonable thing to do to fix the Immigration Courts at this point would be for Congress to pass reform legislation, and in so doing to follow the recommendations made repeatedly by the American Bar Association in the last few years — by making the Immigration Courts into proper independent Article III Courts rather than a part of the Department of Justice. Doing so would, at a minimum, help create more stability and consistency between different presidential administrations. Congress could also reform U.S. immigration law to allow for more temporary work options and other non-permanent avenues for otherwise law-abiding non-citizens to live and work in the United States lawfully. I won’t hold my breath though.”
by Jessica Hughes | Jun 26, 2022 | Main Articles
by Jessica Hughes
Inside: Bonnie Brae Tavern where things hadn’t changed much over 88 years. Image by JLH in Design
Driving Power: On the northeast corner of S. University Blvd. at Exposition Ave., the Conoco Gas Station has been in the Wilson family since 1942.
Days Long Gone: In the late ’70s and ’80s people waited an hour for dinner at the restaurant-tavern.
The 88-year-old building will be demolished to make way for apartments but with attempts to keep the original neon sign. Main image by JLH in Design
In the wake of the pandemic, current inflation, the Great Resignation, and Denver’s expensive costs, it’s no wonder local restaurants are finding it hard to hang on. While the average life of a restaurant is only five years, two Denver restaurants weathered the storm for years but have made the decision to close in light of these tough times.
Bonnie Brae Tavern, the one-time dining nexus of Cherry Creek, and one of Denver’s oldest restaurants, closed its doors at the end of June after operating for 88 years as one of the city’s top places to grab a pizza and a beer. For nearly a half-dozen years in the late ’70s and ’80s people waited an hour for dinner at the restaurant-tavern. Built in 1934, the 88-year-old structure at 740 S. University Blvd. closed permanently at the end of June.
The Tavern ran as a family-owned and operated business for nearly nine decades but after a decline in business, a spike in property taxes, the pandemic, and their most recent roadblock of staffing issues, the tavern made the hard choice to sell. The property sold for $4.5 Million and the building will be demolished to make way for construction of a three-story, practically half-block long apartment complex.
Purchase of the Bonnie Brae Tavern’s 0.72-acre property is being led by two Denver investment pros. They are Churchill Bunn of Alpine Investments and Rhys Duggan of Revesco Properties. The pair often collaborate on local projects. Among jobs they have recently worked together on include a Golden Triangle project on Bannock St., and Chestnut Place in Union Station North. The only thing the twosome have said so far is that, “We are in the initial stages of concept planning for a three-story apartment project.” The project’s demolition order remains valid through May 2024.
The sale of the property and eventual demolition w
as inevitable after staffing, plumbing, electrical, and keeping up with the trends issues. “Our staff went from 32 employees to 14 and wee couldn’t find any help; staffing has been a real issue,” explains Michael Dire, one of the owners and grandson of the original owners of Bonnie Brae Tavern. “We’re an old-style restaurant and our menu hasn’t changed much over the years, but people’s tastes have changed. I guess we just didn’t stay up with the food trends.”
Michael and the tavern’s other ow
ners received multiple inquiries over the years and had thought about redeveloping the restaurant itself, but not everyone was on board. The Dire family sold the restaurant and adjoining building to developers for $4.5 million at the end of May. While the new neighbors will plan to build apartments, they intend to keep the neon sign along with some of the pictures from the restaurant as a tribute to the restaurant.
It’s a family affair at the Tavern. Since Sue and Carl Dire, Michael’s grandparents, opened Bonnie Brae Tavern in 1934, Michael’s dad and uncle started working at the restaurant, and soon following in his father’s footsteps, Michael began working there 40 years ago, along with his cousin Ricky Dire who has been there since he was 15 years old. Even Michael’s children work at the family’s business, managing, and waiting tables.
“I think they would be very proud about the business being around for 88 years, but they would be sad that the legacy is ending though,” expresses Michael.
The Tavern has received mixed reactions from the public, some that understand the transition, and others who think they sold out. Shopping district restaurants and retailers along S. University Blvd. plus homeowners in the surrounding neighborhoods are concerned and anxious about community consequences. Questions abound about how the development will change the neighborhood and their lives:
Will the sale attract chain retails and the
influx of commercial buildings that will erase the area’s character? Is it likely the apartments will alter who lives on the nearby streets and in neighborhoods? Are longtime business owners more likely to put their stores on the chopping block?
This much is certain: Traffic delays will develop along the S. University Blvd. strip as shadows from construction cranes become visible. Furthermore, the sale includes the space leased by In & Out Cleaners on the north end of the Tavern building adjacent to longtime eatery 730 South. Most recently home to Brightmarten, the eatery space is expected to open as taco destination Ni Tuyo this month.
At the Tavern’s south end, the Wish Gifts shop located on the southeast corner of Ohio and S. University Ave. will also be bulldozed. Originally opened as a branch to Bank of the West in Cherry Creek, the space has been a Wish Gifts since 2012. A second Wish Gifts recently opened on E. Hampden Ave. The original Wish Boutique is on nearby S. Gaylord St.
“Denver is transitioning,” says Michael. “I think there is a significant change happening. I think the restaurant industry is shifting with mom-and-pop places struggling with food costs, high rent, and employment issues. It’s too hard right now. Staffing has been the wors
Annie’s Cafe and Bar made it through the pandemic with their take-out menu but closed last month due to expensive costs in Denver. Photo provided by Mary Meggitt
t.”
For the owners of Annie’s Cafe and Bar on East Colfax, closing was for slightly different reasons. “We did not own the building. It was purchased and we had to close,” says Mary Meggitt who helps run the cafe and is the sister of the owner Peggy Meggitt. “We had one of two options, to buy it ourselves or move again.”
Moving locations was certainly something they had done before when they had moved from their original location on Colorado Boulevard to the current one on Colfax in 2008. But with expensive costs, moving wasn’t an option.
“It is so expensive out there. The cost of doing business is so high right now. It’s just crazy,” says Mary. “We looked at all the numbers. It would cost so much money to move locations. So, we had to make the decision to close.”
Mary says staffing issues were never the problem. “We have the best staff and best employees here. Our main cook has been with us for 41 years, and some of our waitresses have been with us for 20+ years,” says Mary.
For both Michael and Mary, it is a mourning period for their families and loyal patrons. “We have worked so hard the past few years to keep it going, so it’s sad to say goodbye,” says Mary as she holds back her tears. “I’m grieving. It’s hard. My three kids were planning to take it over, so I worry about them now that we’ve sold,” says Dire.
For Mary, she will miss her customers the most. “Our customers are the best.” Speechless with the stories her customers shared about what the restaurant has meant to them over the years, Mary says “it has been so moving.”
While Michael currently doesn’t have any future plans, other than taking a breather as he sifts through the loss of his wife this past October and the loss of the family business, he hopes the neighborhood still thrives and hopes that they miss us very much.
Legacy Remains
Despite closure of the Tavern, the Bonnie Brae restaurant-retail district continues to retain much of its 1920s heritage. Most businesses are still locally owned and managed. Moreover, many have remained in the same family for generations.
Consider these local ownership facts: North of the tavern on the same side of the street, the Conoco Gas Station on the corner of South University Blvd. and East Exposition Ave. has been in the Wilson family since 1942. Even the adjacent Katherine’s French Bakery & Café — a relative newcomer — has been in business more than 10 years.
On the opposite side of University at East Exposition Ave., the Campus Lounge was owned for nearly 40 years by University of Denver alumni Jim Wiste. In 2016 he sold it and retired. The space re-opened with different owners three times in as many years. Now owned by the Recess Beer Garden, the third time was the charm. The building’s owner Charlie Woodley of the St. Charles Town Co. grew up a few blocks away.
Popular Place: Owned by the same two couples since 1986, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream remains one of the street’s most popular destinations.
Ice Cream Hot Spot
Across the street from the doomed Wish Gifts, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream continues to scoop people’s favorite flavors. Owned by Cindy & Bob Pailet and Ken & Judy Simon since 1986, it remains as much of a destination as any fine restaurant.
With a line out the door at the corner of East Ohio Ave. and South University Blvd. almost anytime of year, it is one of the neighborhood’s most popular year-around businesses.
The ice cream salon, like Bonnie Brae Tavern, is zoned by the city for a three-story building. Pailet admits “change is inevitable.” and insists potential development doesn’t upset him. He, nonetheless, hopes the developers will keep the neighborhood’s feel in mind as construction begins.
