The Cherry Creek Food Hall, a dining destination in Greenwood Village, has officially ceased operations. Owned by RCI Hospitality Holdings, the food hall, previously known as The Grange, closed its doors on Sunday, November 30th.
Eric Langan, CEO and President of RCI Hospitality Holdings, explained to The Villager that the closure was a business decision based on financial performance. “The food hall was just not making the return for the investment,” Langan stated, highlighting the challenges of “very high” labor costs and inconsistent customer traffic as key factors in the underperformance of the Cherry Creek Food Hall.
Among the vendors affected by the closure was a Bombshells restaurant location, one of RCI’s own brands. This Bombshells offered a menu featuring items like made-from-scratch chicken wings and salads, aiming to compete with similar concepts in the casual dining sector.
RCI’s acquisition of the 12,500-square-foot Cherry Creek Food Hall, formerly operating as The Grange, occurred almost exactly two years prior to its closure. The company purchased the property from Denver restaurateur Troy Guard for $5.2 million. The venue boasted a diverse range of food and beverage options, including a microbrewery, a bar area, and an arcade, alongside various food vendors. These vendors provided a wide array of cuisines, from sushi and artisan sandwiches to Korean dumplings, charcuterie, Mexican fare, pizza, ramen, and other specialty dishes, intending to create a vibrant culinary hub within the Greenwood Village community.
Despite the setback with the Cherry Creek Food Hall, RCI Hospitality Holdings is continuing its expansion plans in the Denver area. The company is moving forward with the opening of a new Bombshells restaurant in downtown Denver, located at the corner of 14th and Arapahoe Streets, slated for January. RCI also maintains a significant presence in the Denver adult entertainment industry, operating several establishments including Diamond Cabaret and a Rick’s Cabaret location near the Colorado Convention Center.
While RCI’s core business remains in adult cabarets and strip clubs across 13 states, the company has been exploring ventures into the restaurant sector with its Bombshells brand. However, recent moves indicate a potential re-evaluation of this strategy. In November, RCI announced plans to sell multiple underperforming Bombshells locations in Texas, suggesting a possible refocusing of their restaurant business strategy.
Looking ahead, RCI is also pursuing the development of a Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse in Central City, with a planned spring opening. While initial plans included a larger casino project in Central City, those plans have been scaled back. Currently, RCI is involved in a federal lawsuit concerning permits for the Central City location, adding a layer of complexity to their ongoing development efforts in Colorado.
