🌭 Another business closes, blames homelessness

🌭 The Bitter Demise of a Hotdog Dynasty

Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dogs closed unexpectedly this week. Owner Andrew Soulakis says the decision was voluntary and cited homelessness in the area as the reason. But it's worth noting that when founder “Biker Jim” Pittenger acrimoniously parted ways with his namesake business earlier this year, he pointed to Soulakis’ financial mismanagement, including an ongoing lawsuit from Kroenke Sports 🤔 [Denver Post 🔒]

• More restaurant news: Keep up with all the latest openings and closings on Denver’s dining scene. [Hey Denver]

🚬 Flavored Tobacco Ban Moves Forward

Denver City Council is scheduled to vote on a citywide ban on flavored tobacco products Dec. 16 — and the mayor has already pledged his support. There will be a public hearing on the proposal Dec. 9. Proponents of the measure believe a ban will help keep tobacco products out of the hands of youth. Opponents argue the ban will do little more than hurt small local businesses. [Denverite]

🔎 A Tax Money Spending Scandal

A new investigation from CPR revealed evidence that a foundation created to distribute funding to local mental health and substance use support programs may be sending taxpayer dollars to some … questionable places. Did the Caring For Denver Foundation fall short on promises it made to voters in 2018? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Last week’s answer: FREE Café at 2122 S. Lafayette Street ☕

• This University neighborhood pay-what-you-can coffee shop describes its mission as “recovery-focused and sustainability-centered.” Founded in 2022 by husband-wife team Ryan and Tami Candady, FREE Café is a product of the Free Spiritual Community, a non-denominational “healing space” that offers trauma-informed programming for addiction recovery.

👏 Cheers to our only two correct guessers this week:

• Kayla S. and Keedan S.!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ It’s pretty obvious this kinda famous gargoyle is somewhere in DIA — but do you know WHERE? 🛫 Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter! 

✨ A special thanks to reader Lizzie B. for sending in this week’s mystery picture!

📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in Denver, and I’ll consider it for an upcoming photo trivia segment!