2020 Was a Good Year…

OK, maybe not a great year, maybe not for everybody and every business, but if the only constant in life is change, then 2020 certainly qualified. As in any year, restaurants opened, restaurants closed. Managers were hired and fired, employees came and went. But it was the establishment that learned to adjust, to think and react creatively, often on the fly, that survived and yes, in many cases, thrived.

Let’s review just a few here in Colorado, maybe even a few you hadn’t thought about. Colorado Smokehouse in Fountain was to be sold on March 31st. The old owner, to his credit, told the new owners they could, for obvious timing reasons, wait. Nope, TJ Tyndall went through with the purchase, kept putting out great barbecue in a take out, drive thru environment, and is rocking.

Bigger places like the Viewhouse opened a new restaurant in Colorado Springs, initiated take out, and bought tents to enclose much of their expansive patios with great views. The Viewhouse people even opened up a new concept during the challenging times. My Neighbor Felix is the creation of Chef Jose Guerrero and brings the flavors of the seven regions of Mexican cuisine.

Michael Hernandez owns the Office and the Library Kitchens in Castle Rock, but opened the Gym in Parker the week of the shutdown. Adapted, and did reasonably well.

Pizza places thrived. Of course they are set up for take out and delivery, so the elimination of sit down dine in service is not as crucial to them. But still, record numbers? Louie’s Pizza in Colorado Springs, with five locations, including a new location built and opened during the shutdown hit, after 30 years in business, record numbers. Same for Granelli’s Pizzeria in Castle Rock.

I could go on and on. Tailgate Tavern in Parker heated their entire patio and kept their outdoor stage rocking with live music attracting nice crowds. Black-eyed Peas, Cuba, Cuba, and others made customers feel welcome while they were open, closed, open again, and even closed again. Trestles Coastal Cuisine came up with a surf & turf combo platter at a great price that sold like crazy.

At The Restaurant Show we were blessed. We were able to help many, many places with promotions, remote broadcasts, meal deals that helped them keep their doors open and people employed.

We were able to pull off the 18th annual Taste of Douglas County, and we enjoyed some wonderful group trips to Mexico with both The Restaurant Shows and Gusto Mexico. We continued to support some wonderful charities including a fabulous gift card toy drive to benefit TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

All of this is a great testimony to YOU, the listeners. You are the ones who responded. You bought gift cards, ordered take out, had food delivered. You “enjoyed” patio dining in twenty-five degree weather. You visited, when able, restaurants for dine in and many times you left decent tips, big tips, and even outrageously big tips to support staff.

So now you know why I say that 2020 was a good year. Maybe not great, maybe not even good for everybody, but we at least did our part. And for that I say, on behalf of me and my shows, but on behalf on the hospitality industry as well, a big, gigantic, THANK YOU.