Homegrown eateries expand across Colorado Springs
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Colorado Springs' Lebowski's Taproom is about to debut its second location, part of a broader wave of locally owned eateries expanding across the city.
Why it matters: The expansion of homegrown restaurants gives Springs diners more local flavor in a city long dominated by chain restaurants.
- And small business growth can signal confidence in the local economy.
Driving the news: Lebowski's Taproom has turned a cult movie concept into a big enough success that owners Monica and David Kowalski launched a liquor label and will open a second east side location just three years after opening.
- A soft opening is planned for next week.
- Meanwhile, Lolley's Ice Cream, founded in Monument in 2020, is set to celebrate the grand opening of its second location in downtown Colorado Springs on Saturday.
State of play: BJ's Velvet Freez, the classic ice cream parlor founded in 1954, opened its second location next door to Fargo's Pizza in March, while Por Favor Tacos & Tragos debuted a second location in Northgate last month.
Yes, but: The growth hasn't been universal. Local cronut creators Dad's Donuts closed all three of its locations in the last six months.
- "This is not goodbye. It's simply a pause," Dad's Donuts wrote on social media the day before closing its final location in March, with no updates.
Caveat: One recent expansion was made out of necessity; Front Range Barbeque opened an east side location earlier this month after its original Old Colorado City restaurant closed last fall for renovations and an expansion project.
- The original location isn't expected to reopen until summer 2028, chef and owner Brian Fortinberry tells the Gazette.
What they're saying: Recent expansions may have more to do with the individual strengths of those businesses than any larger trend, local food journalist Matthew Schnipper tells Axios.
- "It's diverse, but each one has built a loyal following."
The bottom line: For Colorado Springs diners, the wave of local expansions means more neighborhood options alongside national chains.