For nearly a decade, the Denver Bicycle Cafe served as a hub for coffee, beer and cycling enthusiasts in the Uptown neighborhood. After closing its doors in 2019, the space at 1300-1308 E. 17th Ave. sat vacant until Alpine Dog Brewing took it over in 2023. But the brewery didn’t last long, shuttering just 14 months later.
Related: With an explosion of new bakeries, Denver is finally getting its just desserts
Now, two new tenants, Hearth Bakery and Latchkey Bar, which got its start in Austin, plan to revive the half-a-block-long building.
Matt Quinlisk, founder of Hearth, first introduced Denverites to his sourdough bread and laminated pastries during the pandemic. Starting at farmers markets and then moving into wholesale, Hearth quickly gained traction, leading to the opening of its first retail space in the River North Art District.
Hearth’s second location, a cafe in the 1,000-square-foot space at 1300 E. 17th, opened on November 15. By next spring Quinlisk hopes to have a full-scale bread bakery up and running next door and move all of Hearth’s bread production there.
It’s part of a plan to grow his retail-facing operations, which requires showing people what happens behind the scenes at the bakery, Quinlisk believes. “I find it very satisfying to interact with customers and see them enjoying our pastries.”
Hearth opened its second location on 17th Avenue in Denver in Nov. 2024. (Jeff Fierberg)
Finding the right space for that was challenging, he continued. “But this unit has some unique features. Alpine Dog Brewery used to brew beer in the unit we’re now renting, so it’s set up as a food manufacturing space with floor drains, a three-compartment sink, etc. While it’s not completely turnkey, it doesn’t require a major overhaul.”
The Hearth team embraced the building’s character, which features exposed brick, a warm wooden bar and a cozy industrial vibe. “It’s an awesome space with natural light, big windows, lots of plants and a big patio,” said Quinlisk, who formerly worked as the pastry chef at Moxie Bread Co. in Louisville. “It’s a great spot to meet someone, have a coffee and hang out.”
The menu currently mirrors the RiNo store, with a full line of espresso beverages (using beans from Hearth’s sister brand, Tablón Coffee) and handmade baked goods. Once the bakery is operational, Hearth will begin selling fresh loaves like ciabatta, baguettes and flatbreads there.
“We’re especially excited about engaging with the nearby hospitals and their staff. There are two major hospitals close by, and we’d love to be a spot where people can stop by for coffee on a walk, grab a quick bite during a break, or visit before or after shift changes,” he added.
A neighborhood bar
Cade Cauley, owner of Latchkey Bar, also hopes his business caters to nearby residents and workers. “Our goal is to be a neighborhood spot — an extension of your living room,” he said.
Cauley, who has been in the service industry since 2001, first opened Latchkey Bar in Austin in 2017. After visiting and falling in love with the Mile High City, he and his wife relocated to Denver a little over two years ago and began the hunt for Latchkey Bar’s second outpost.
“We were looking around for a location and … one of my broker friends drove us around and showed us 1308 E. 17th. Oddly enough, our address in Austin is 1308 E. 6th Street, which gave me a good feeling. It seemed like it was meant to be,” he explained.
While Latchkey’s Austin location is more of a dive bar, Cauley pictures the Denver space as a polished yet welcoming hangout. “It’s not a place where you feel like you have to order something fancy. You can grab a shot and a beer or enjoy a craft cocktail.”
Slated to open in January, Latchkey will feature 22 bar seats, as well as tables and high-tops, a pool table, six outdoor picnic tables, TVs and an eclectic mix of music, board games and artwork.
The bar will pour a mix of local beers (including non-alcoholic options) and cocktails and mocktails on draft. For snacks, there will be frozen pizzas and burritos, as well as rotating food trucks. Collaborations with Hearth are in the works, too, including espresso martinis and Irish coffees.
“I’m excited for Latchkey to open, and specifically the building we’re in at 1300-1308 E. 17th Avenue is right on a corner with a few other vacant retail spaces nearby. I’m excited to see those spots get filled,” Quinlisk concluded.