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The Market
at Larimer Square Restaurant
During the 1970’s many of
the historically significant areas of downtown Denver were replaced
with skyscrapers and high-rises. The skyline changed swiftly and
drastically. The last bastion of Denver’s historic past
was kept intact between 14th and 15th streets on Larimer Street.
That block, renamed Larimer Square, became the symbol of historic
preservation and the undisputed focal point of downtown Denver
for the decades to follow. From the beginning The Market has not
only been in the center of Denver’s most notable block,
it has served as the quintessential meeting place for dignitaries,
students, artist, businessmen and locals alike.
From 1978 through 1983 Dana Crawford,
the person who was largely responsible for saving the Larimer
Square block from destruction, owned The Market. During that period
The Market was exactly that, a downtown grocery. Yet with the
introduction of nearby “super” –market the small,
quaint local grocery and gathering place proved no match. In 1983
Dana Crawford sold the business to two brothers from New Jersey
with extensive restaurant experience and an unbridle zeal for
cooking. The rest is history.
Since 1983 Mark and Gary Greenberg
have transformed that fledgling grocery into Denver’s most
recognizable deli and espresso bar. The prolonged success of the
business is directly attributed to the brother’s emphasis
on freshly prepared foods made and served on the premises as well
as the preservation of the locally-owned downtown grocer and local
meeting place atmosphere.
Yet The Market is not all about
Denver. The Greenberg brothers infused into the business their
New Jersey culture and Jewish heritage. The Market was the first
espresso bar between New York and Los Angeles, eighteen years
before it became trendy to open a coffee house on every corner
and several years before the fashionable Starbucks chain. The
Market for many years boasted the largest selection of cheeses
and pates as well as an extensive selection of crackers and specialty
cooking items. Again, much before the trendy Alfalfas’ and
Wild Oats franchises.
Without question, one of the biggest
keys to the Greenbergs’ success is their relationship with
their employees. In an industry that is infamous for high employee
turnover and low wages The Market has a record of employee loyalty
that is unfathomable in today’s restaurant world. More than
50% of the Greenbergs’ employees have worked there for over
eight years, some for over fifteen years. The remainder of the
staff is comprised mostly of part-time help such as students and
artists who need the flexible hours. The result is a staff of
over 50 that rewards its customers with fresh and interesting
youth as well as a recognizable face and old friend.
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