Popular Denver pizza spot to close temporarily, blaming city construction

DENVER (KDVR) — A popular Detroit-style pizza place in Denver is temporarily closing its doors, blaming ongoing city construction for affecting business.

Located in the Jefferson Park neighborhood, Red Tops Rendezvous announced the temporary closure early this week. Started by The Culinary Creative Group, the popular pizza joint opened less than a year ago.

The Culinary Creative Group CEO Juan Padro said city construction has slowed foot traffic, causing their sales to drop.

“We held off as long as we could in hopes of being able to turn it around a little bit,” Padro said. “You don’t really stand a chance when people can’t get to your store. You can’t open your doors. You can’t open your windows. Dust is flying in everywhere, so it was really a tough thing.”

The decision came as a shock to loyal customers.

“It was the first restaurant I went to when I moved in,” Cody Newman said. “Living right next to the construction is already pretty rough, so it’s sad to see that it’s also affecting the businesses around here.”

Federal Boulevard pedestrian safety project

The ongoing construction is part of the city’s North Federal Boulevard pedestrian safety project . Expected to be complete in fall 2024, Denver’s Department of Transportation said the project will improve the environment for crossing Federal Boulevard and accessing businesses along West 25th Avenue.

Project improvements include:

• Upgrading the pedestrian ramps on Federal Blvd at West 25th and West 26th avenues
• Adding concrete bulb-outs at multiple corners in the area to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and slow vehicle turns
• Installing a HAWK signal on Federal Boulevard at West 25th Avenue so pedestrians can cross the street more safely
• Transforming West 25th Avenue from Federal Boulevard to Eliot Street into a more pedestrian-friendly street
• Upgrading the stormwater infrastructure at West 25th and West 26th avenues and on Eliot Street to improve drainage and reduce flood risks

The project was funded by the voter-approved Elevate Denver Bond and the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Safer Main Streets Program.

A DOTI spokesperson said pedestrian access to all businesses has been maintained throughout the project.

Red Tops Rendezvous will remain closed until further notice, but Padro said they hope to reopen in the future.

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