City Cast Denver
🪩 The Merc is No More
March 12, 2025 · – Francisco Kilgore
Good morning, Denver! Francisco Kilgore from City Cast here while Peyton Garcia is out. I always have fun virtually visiting the Mile High, so let’s get down to business.
What's CITY Talking About?
🏚️ Denver Pavilions Faces “Tenuous Situation”
We’ve talked before about downtown’s business woes. It looks like Denver Pavilions may be the latest casualty. With a payment on the owner’s $85 million loan due in July, the CEO said foreclosure “could happen.” [City Cast Denver, BusinessDen🔒]
🪩 The Merc is No More
The Merc – aka The Mercury Cafe – is evolving as the owners of the new Pearl Divers bar take over. But before you panic that the decades-old bastion of community arts and culture is disappearing forever, you should know that the new tenants aim to respect the Merc's time-honored traditions. The name, however, will change: “The Pearl” will officially open its doors soon. [Denver Post 🔒]
- What else should change? If you want to weigh in, they’re looking for community feedback [@thepearl on Instagram]
🎧 What Does Our CEO Think of Denver?
City Cast Denver has 12 sister podcasts across the country, and behind them all is CEO David Plotz. He has hosted his own podcast, Slate Political Gabfest, for almost 20 years, he was the editor of Slate, later the CEO of Atlas Obscura, and most recently was a real-life guest at HEYDAY last week! We sat down with him afterwards to talk about the future of this podcast and what he really thinks of Denver. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
🍄🟫 Meati Is in Trouble
The Boulder-based alternative meat company might be closing after their bank repossessed more than 60% of their cash reserves last week. The move prompted the CEO to inform all 150 employees of an impending shutdown of their Thornton “Mega Ranch” and layoffs in May unless they're able to find a solution. [9 News]
- Does this mean the end of Meati? You can decide whether or not City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi was right when he said three years ago that plant-based protein was “a fad.” [City Cast Denver 🎧]
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A Look Back at HEYDAY!
Last Saturday, the City Cast Denver team hosted its first-ever HEYDAY fair and y’all 👏 showed 👏 up 👏 for it! Check out the online gallery we’ll be adding photos to, and send us some of your own to be included!
What people are saying:
“It was an amazing turnout with amazing people.” — @DenverFoos303
“I'm happy to see that Mayor Mike got to do something fun this week.” — u/Glindanorth
“We had a great time this Saturday at HEYDAY! Me, the family, the kids, we went and played games and saw some great live performers. All around a good time!” — Keith, Sunnyside
“Mini Mayor Mike has been the best thing to come out of 2025 so far.” — Joshua Emerson
“HEYDAY was so incredibly fun and joyful!! Shout out to @citycastdenver for organizing this amazing event! I feel so proud and lucky to have been a part of HEYDAY and to celebrate the vibrance, love and joy that exists in our Denver community.” — @WildIrisFloralStudio
What To Do
Wednesday, March 12
- 😌 Sensory Friendly Afternoon | 3-5 p.m. | $17.45 | Butterfly Pavilion
- 🧀 Exploring Cheeses | 5-6 p.m. | $42 | Denver Botanic Gardens
- 🧶 Yarn Wall Hanging Workshop (18+) | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | $27.53 | Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Thursday, March 13
- 📸 A Day in the Life of a Victorian Woman | 6-7 p.m. | Free | Aurora History Museum
- 🧘 Lunar Eclipse Yoga and Meditation | 7-8:15 p.m. | $34.92+ | Nurture Movement Studio
- 🧩 Speed Puzzling | 7-9 p.m. | $20+ | Odell Brewing (Five Points)
- 🎤 The Hi Five Comedy Show | 8-9:30 p.m. | Free | Edgewater Beer Garden
That’s all for today! And I know we’re always talking about Blucifer here, but there’s another horse in town that might be worth checking out. 🎶
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