🎬 The Esquire is closing (for real this time)

🌱 Interest Grows in RiNo’s New ‘Garden Gash’ Building

Design renderings for the building planned at 3930 Blake Street already had Denverites talking. Now that One River North’s opening date is approaching in 2024, the leasing company says there are thousands of people interested in the 187 available units. Rents are set to range from $1,739 per month for affordable units to $15,000 for a penthouse. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]

💰 Council and Mayor Agree on 2024 Budget

A veto-proof majority of city council ultimately added more than $14 million in additional spending on housing programs, rental assistance, and transportation to Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed budget. Council president Stacie Gilmore touted the outcome as a demonstration of the new council’s “collective strength.” [Denver Post 🔒]

🥊 Confidence in Mayor’s Housing Plan Wanes

The first time Mayor Johnston called for a state of emergency on homelessness, only one city council member voted against him. But on Monday evening, council members Flor Alvidrez and Stacie Gilmore joined Amanda Sawyer in opposing the re-authorization, alleging a lack of transparency and other issues in the mayor’s approach. [Denverite]

🎞️ The Esquire is Closing

After testing the market for a possible sale, the owners of the 96-year-old arthouse movie theater at 590 Downing Street plan to redevelop the property into a mix of retail, restaurant, and office space. So we’re swapping Esquire stories as well as our picks for the best movie theaters in town. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Hey loyal reader, what’s on your mind? 🤔

🥬 We recently put out a call for vegan and vegetarian dining options. Katie has a hot take and a recommendation:

• “My hot take about your beloved Cherry Cricket — they don't have a vegan burger option and it's so disappointing! I really want to love the magic of that cultural landmark … In good news, Adrift Tiki Bar has vegan options and definitely vegetarian items on their menu.”

🥃 We recommended our favorite spots on Old South Gaylord Street in last week’s neighborhood guide. Reader Mark B. wants to share another rec:

• “Bottle Shop 33. This is an excellent shop for serious home bartenders, a small place, but wonderfully curated. I’ve found numerous cocktail ingredients here that you can’t find in the big liquor stores, and the people here know their stuff.”

❄️ Last week, I shared some tips for driving in the snow. Reader Dale R. wants to add one more:

• “Rather than all-season tires you want all-weather tires for snow driving. It's stupid naming, but just look for the 3 peaks logo to know a tire works good enough in snow.”

🏙️ Warren B. really enjoyed our episode about saving Denver’s nightlife and wrote in to say:

• “I can’t overstate how much I appreciate the nods that City Cast gives to DIY spaces regularly. The episode with Stephen Brackett was the latest of many that have had me nodding in agreement on my train ride … Diversity of activities and investment in the arts is unrivaled in its ability to make communities safe, liveable, and attractive to everyone.”

🎄 Camp Christmas | Thursday | 4-9 p.m.

Local art icon Lonnie Hanzon is bringing his quirky immersive Christmas show indoors at Stanley Marketplace this year. [Central Park; $12]

• How quirky, you ask? City Cast Denver host Bree Davies took a tour of the whimsical experience with Lonnie himself back in 2021. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

📚 Denver Book Swap | Thursday | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Bring some books, chat with book lovers, and leave with your next read! Leftovers will be donated. [Overland; Free]

🛍️ Cherry Creek Holiday Market | Thursday | Times Vary

For the fifth year running, Fillmore Square will fill with vendors and holiday cheer now through December 24. [Cherry Creek North; Free]

Denver's Best Theaters (Now That the Esquire is Closing)

Yes, it looks like the Esquire Theatre is closing, but there are so many great movie theaters left in town! Today on the show, producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Adrian González (our resident movie buffs) are swapping Esquire stories as well as their picks for the Denver theaters with the best food, drink, special programming, and more.