An interesting and fairly long-standing pattern in Metro Denver is the conversion of old auto repair shop structures into coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. Typically, auto repair businesses become priced out of highly gentrifying areas and can find vibrant new life with their mid-century and industrial-chic elements, as well as their huge garage doors that allow for plenty of fresh air and sunlight.
A few of the most well-known examples are Root Down and Steuben's. Root Down, a LoHi staple that opened in 2009, continues to sport the Tires, Alignment, and Tune-Lube signs over its three converted repair bay garage doors. Root down has done well for itself: the building itself was bought in 2006 for $440K and sold last year for $2.75 million! Steuben's, opening in 2006, was formally Dan's Garage. Described by its founders as a "60's modern diner blended with classic café", Steuben's brought that hip, in the know feel to its early patrons in Uptown.
Bannock Street Garage also hit the scene in 2006. Located in Denver's Golden Triangle Neighborhood and converted from an auto repair shop of the same name, Bannock Street Garage is a haven for bikers and professionals alike. Adorned with auto repair-related signage proudly displaying its history, Bannock Street Garage is certainly worth a visit if you've never been.
Further Metro Denver examples include:
- Bills Auto Service in Englewood that became Gather + Grow, an urban farm, greenhouse, and restaurant that is on-site farm to table.
- Prodigy Coffeehouse, a North East Denver craft coffeehouse that offers a transformative apprenticeship program to "young adults disconnected from school and/or work."
- The recent addition of the East Colfax Italian restaurant, Benzina (which translates from Italian to 'gasoline'), is housed in a converted Meineke Muffler Shop.
However, finding an exhaustive list of all the Metro Denver auto shops turned drinking, or dining establishments is difficult. Go to our Facebook page and leave a comment on your favorite auto repair establishment turned coffee shop, bar, or restaurant. With your help, we can provide our foodie and car-loving customers an expansive list of places to visit that celebrate (by preserving history) the industry we love and are proud to be a part of.
- Your team at Addison Auto Repair and Body Shop
