BusinessDen published hundreds of stories on the local business scene in 2019.
On Monday, we reviewed some stories from the year that stood out to our staff.
Now it’s time to break down some of the stories that resonated most with our readers.
Here are the 10 most-read stories, in descending order, as ranked by page views. We’ve tossed in a handful of updates where appropriate.
10: Tech exec pays asking price — $10.75M — for Four Seasons penthouse (February 6)
One of Denver’s highest residences was bought in February.
The lavish property sold after four years on the market and a 50 percent price cut. Click for original listing. (Screenshot)
9: Jailed fraudster’s Cherry Hills Village estate — seized by feds — sells for $7M (June 10)
Power plant developer Michael J. Ruffatto had owned the estate since 1992, according to public records. The U.S. Department of Justice seized it in September 2018, nearly two years after Ruffatto pleaded guilty to criminal
fraud in a Pennsylvania court.
8: Go ahead, smash the dresser; Rage room trend lands in Denver (July 31)
Smash*It Breakroom’s basic experience will include 20 minutes of destruction. (Submitted)
Update: Smash*It Breakroom opened at 790 W. Evans Ave. around Labor Day.
7: Pura Vida to pull plug in Cherry Creek (Jan. 17)
BusinessDen was first to report that Pura Vida Fitness & Spa would be closing its sole location in Cherry Creek.
Update: The building’s owner has converted the three floors Pura Vida used into office space.
6: Lake House Kitchen and Tavern set to replace Lucha Cantina in Littleton (Oct. 9)
Our most popular food-and-beverage-related story of the year was about a pair of longtime friends and restaurateurs dropping an anchor in Littleton.
5: 18-hole golf course east of Castle Rock to be auctioned off (Nov. 1)
Update: Spring Valley Golf Club in Elizabeth fetched $3.6 million at auction.
4: ‘Fake friendship’: Vail philanthropist sues former bridesmaid, claiming $620K loaned for business spent on lavish vacations (Aug. 26)
The defendant Kael Robinson on a yoga retreat in Bali. (Facebook)
“It was a business deal that went bad, and they’ve been trying to turn it into more than that,” the defendant’s lawyer said at the time.
Update: On Nov. 29, the judge in the case said the case would be dismissed without prejudice in 35 days, unless a specific document was filed. It had not been filed as of Dec. 20.
3: City Park Golf Course delays opening (April 26)
The city-owned golf course closed in November 2017 for flood mitigation work and other improvements, and had been expected to reopen in 2019. But that was pushed back.
Update: In October, a spokeswoman for Denver Public Works told BusinessDen that an opening date likely won’t be set until late spring or early summer 2020.
2: Former Kmart site in southeast Denver, vacant since 2013, sells for $10.5M (Sept. 24)
For years, the unused property frustrated Denver Councilwoman Kendra Black, who represents the area. Glendale-based Forum Real Estate Group is the new owner.
1: In their words: Five Denver liquor store owners on Colorado’s new beer laws (Jan. 7)
Hanna Weldeyohannes owns HJM Wine & Spirits. (BizDen file photo)
On Jan. 1, grocery stores and convenience stores started selling full-strength beer, instead of the 3.2 percent “near beer” they’ve been limited to peddling for decades. We talked to liquor stores about the change.
BusinessDen published hundreds of stories on the local business scene in 2019.
On Monday, we reviewed some stories from the year that stood out to our staff.
Now it’s time to break down some of the stories that resonated most with our readers.
Here are the 10 most-read stories, in descending order, as ranked by page views. We’ve tossed in a handful of updates where appropriate.
10: Tech exec pays asking price — $10.75M — for Four Seasons penthouse (February 6)
One of Denver’s highest residences was bought in February.
The lavish property sold after four years on the market and a 50 percent price cut. Click for original listing. (Screenshot)
9: Jailed fraudster’s Cherry Hills Village estate — seized by feds — sells for $7M (June 10)
Power plant developer Michael J. Ruffatto had owned the estate since 1992, according to public records. The U.S. Department of Justice seized it in September 2018, nearly two years after Ruffatto pleaded guilty to criminal
fraud in a Pennsylvania court.
8: Go ahead, smash the dresser; Rage room trend lands in Denver (July 31)
Smash*It Breakroom’s basic experience will include 20 minutes of destruction. (Submitted)
Update: Smash*It Breakroom opened at 790 W. Evans Ave. around Labor Day.
7: Pura Vida to pull plug in Cherry Creek (Jan. 17)
BusinessDen was first to report that Pura Vida Fitness & Spa would be closing its sole location in Cherry Creek.
Update: The building’s owner has converted the three floors Pura Vida used into office space.
6: Lake House Kitchen and Tavern set to replace Lucha Cantina in Littleton (Oct. 9)
Our most popular food-and-beverage-related story of the year was about a pair of longtime friends and restaurateurs dropping an anchor in Littleton.
5: 18-hole golf course east of Castle Rock to be auctioned off (Nov. 1)
Update: Spring Valley Golf Club in Elizabeth fetched $3.6 million at auction.
4: ‘Fake friendship’: Vail philanthropist sues former bridesmaid, claiming $620K loaned for business spent on lavish vacations (Aug. 26)
The defendant Kael Robinson on a yoga retreat in Bali. (Facebook)
“It was a business deal that went bad, and they’ve been trying to turn it into more than that,” the defendant’s lawyer said at the time.
Update: On Nov. 29, the judge in the case said the case would be dismissed without prejudice in 35 days, unless a specific document was filed. It had not been filed as of Dec. 20.
3: City Park Golf Course delays opening (April 26)
The city-owned golf course closed in November 2017 for flood mitigation work and other improvements, and had been expected to reopen in 2019. But that was pushed back.
Update: In October, a spokeswoman for Denver Public Works told BusinessDen that an opening date likely won’t be set until late spring or early summer 2020.
2: Former Kmart site in southeast Denver, vacant since 2013, sells for $10.5M (Sept. 24)
For years, the unused property frustrated Denver Councilwoman Kendra Black, who represents the area. Glendale-based Forum Real Estate Group is the new owner.
1: In their words: Five Denver liquor store owners on Colorado’s new beer laws (Jan. 7)
Hanna Weldeyohannes owns HJM Wine & Spirits. (BizDen file photo)
On Jan. 1, grocery stores and convenience stores started selling full-strength beer, instead of the 3.2 percent “near beer” they’ve been limited to peddling for decades. We talked to liquor stores about the change.
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