Beloved Colfax Italian Restaurant to Close Due to Rising Costs
Benzina, a former muffler shop-turned-Italian eatery in Denver’s South Park Hill neighborhood, has announced its closure at the end of March due to skyrocketing costs of food, labor, rent, and property taxes. Owner Bradley Anderson, a veteran in the Denver restaurant scene for over 40 years, said the financial strain left Benzina losing about $10,000 per month, making it impossible to sustain operations.
“The state and city government have made it almost impossible for a single operator to survive in Denver,” Benzina posted on Instagram, citing doubling property taxes over the past few years as a major factor. Anderson explained that in order to turn a small profit, menu prices would have to rise drastically—pushing $25 pizzas to $40, a price he believes customers wouldn’t pay.
Benzina first opened in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, and despite its unique setting and loyal customer base, Anderson says independent restaurants can no longer compete with large corporations. While the closure is bittersweet, Benzina will remain open through March, serving its final pizzas before closing its doors for good.
