Beloved 40-year-old Denver cafe listed for sale, possible redevelopment

Denver’s long-standing diners have seemed especially hard-hit over the last year and a half, and now 40-year-old Annie’s counts itself among the institutions at risk of redevelopment.

Annie’s Cafe and Bar, which opened in 1981 on Colorado Boulevard and in 2008 moved to East Colfax Avenue, serves breakfast all day in a time-capsule setting packed with collectibles and memorabilia. The business celebrated its 40-year anniversary over the summer.

While the cafe is still open, the building has been listed for sale at the corner of Colfax and St. Paul Street. Denverite was the first to report the news on Thursday.

But Annie’s owner Peggy Anderson says she hopes to continue the cafe for years to come. She runs it together with her sister, Mary Meggitt. They don’t own the building, however; it’s been in a family trust for as long as Annie’s has operated.

“We had an inclination (that it would go on the market), but we didn’t know for sure,” Anderson told The Denver Post on Thursday. “I think if the right buyer comes along, we would be able to work something out. It would be nice if we could get a workable lease.”

The property has been assessed for as much as $945,300, though the listing doesn’t offer a current price tag. It includes a 5,578-square-foot building and a 19-space parking lot and is available for purchase or lease.

“Dense residential and strong retail make this an outstanding restaurant and bar opportunity or ideal for redevelopment,” reads the listing from Sanborn and Company.

“We would look at either one, sale of the building or a good qualified tenant to lease it,” realtor Shawn Sanborn told The Denver Post on Thursday. He added that it could still be possible for Annie’s to sign a new lease “that made sense for both parties.”