Tennyson Street in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood is no stranger to change. But the street is going to see even more changes in the coming months as two long-time businesses are preparing to move.
Elitch Lanes — a 63-year stalwart at 3825 Tennyson — is moving to Arvada in May to make room for a Natural Grocers, and Flesher-Hinton Music — an institution on the block for 64 years at 3936 Tennyson — recently put its building up for sale.
Flesher-Hinton does not have a move date, but the owner is in the market for a new location.
“We’re looking for a place with more parking with a little more room to stretch out,” said Dave Simpkins, an employee at Flesher-Hinton for the past 11 years. Simpkins spoke on behalf of the store.
The growth of the corridor on Tennyson between 38th and 44th avenues can be viewed as the root of the departures.
In Flesher-Hinton’s case, as a music instrument retail, rental and repair shop, the parking near the business got to a point where it was inconvenient for customers. Simpkins noted it can be uncomfortable to lug a tuba two or three blocks to get it repaired or for a lesson.
The business is also changing its focus to move away from the retail side and focus on rentals, repairs and lessons.
Simpkins added that while he does enjoy the additional lunch options the area’s renaissance has brought the past few years, the store’s prime real estate likely will fetch top dollar. Flesher-Hinton would like to stay on the northwest side of town, but its owners might not find a place within Denver’s city limits.
“It’s kind of sad, but changes happen and you roll with it,” Simpkins said.
In Elitch Lanes’ case, the owners had been leasing the property and were not given the opportunity to renew, according to owner Cal Eichinger.
He said he watched the past 14 years — since he took over as Elitch Lanes owner — as the corridor grew from an undesirable area into something that is a major business and residential destination.
“I would love it right now if we could stay. This is a great area — a great trade area and a great people area,” he said. “The only problem I see with this area is so much high-density living space. Parking is a huge issue and it’s getting worse.”
The parking issue was echoed by Tracy Frickey, who just purchased the building at 43rd and Tennyson and is leasing out the space to several businesses. She’s been on the block for the past five years and ran her business, Modestea, out of the building before buying it from the former owner.
Frickey said some streetscape improvements that the city finished about three years ago were what really led to the business boom and an influx of new restaurants, shops and the city’s first cat cafe. But parking has become a premium on the street and in some of the small lots in the area, similar to what happened in the Highland neighborhood when businesses began booming there.
“It hurts the retail businesses if they don’t have parking,” Frickey said. “It’s turned into the Highlands issue, and it’s gotten really bad because of all the construction. They’re taking up spaces.”
The city has been working with the local neighborhood organization to address zoning issues for both residential and commercial development.
With regard to the commerical zoning, senior city planner Abe Barge said the neighborhood hopes to work out zoning overlays that ensure that the redevelopment is mixed-use — with retail on the ground floor and apartments above — and adds to the active character of the streets.
Frickey added that a lot of the change has been positive.
“I think there’s a lot of good that has happened,” she said. “This whole area has been totally revitalized.”
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc
