{"id":561,"date":"2025-06-10T12:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T12:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/?p=561"},"modified":"2025-06-12T14:27:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T14:27:37","slug":"olive-finch-doubles-down-on-downtown-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/10\/olive-finch-doubles-down-on-downtown-denver\/","title":{"rendered":"Olive & Finch doubles down on downtown Denver"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a rainy Friday in late May, Mary Nguyen welcomed about 500 guests to the grand opening of Olive & Finch\u2019s fourth location at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Small bites like vegetarian lumpia and Saigon Sammies (made with plant-based crispy chicken) were passed around.<\/p>\n

As one of the busiest destinations in the city, the complex is a major milestone for the brand. It also fills a longstanding gap in the area\u2019s dining options.<\/p>\n

\"Chef
Chef and restaurateur Mary Nguyen always dreamed of opening her own chef-driven, fast-casual spot in Denver, and opened Olive & Finch in 2013. (Provided by Little Finch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen you go to a show at the Arts Complex, your dining options are limited. Mostly, you\u2019ll find sports bars, greasy spoons, or high-end full-service restaurants, which are often expensive,\u201d Nguyen explained. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to have thousands of people come for a show and be able to get the exposure, but also give them the opportunity to not go to a full-service restaurant if they just want to grab a drink, a snack, come in with their kids, or avoid spending $150 per person.\u201d<\/p>\n

The debut followed closely on the heels of Olive & Finch\u2019s Union Station opening in March<\/a>. More than bold bets on the city\u2019s future, these new downtown locations reflect Nguyen\u2019s personal commitment to Denver\u2019s revitalization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a narrative that downtown is dead, that it\u2019s not safe. But I\u2019m here all the time. I see something totally different. There are new restaurants opening, the streets are active, there are interesting people looking for things to do,\u201d Nguyen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a Denver native. If I want to see a vibrant, activated downtown, then I\u2019m going to help make that happen. I\u2019m not waiting for someone else to do it,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Before the Arts Complex and Union Station locations, Nguyen began working on Little Finch (Olive & Finch\u2019s fast-casual sister concept) on 16th Street back in 2021, long before the area\u2019s multi-year renovation plan broke ground<\/a>. Rather than viewing the once vibrant corridor as a lost cause, she saw herself as the first to an area ripe with potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you look at the investment the city is making \u2026 no other city in America is spending $600 million to revitalize their downtown. Honestly, I think I\u2019ve done a great job coming in at the beginning, because in 10 years \u2013 actually, probably just two years, or even one \u2013 Denver\u2019s going to come back,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

These new locations represent the tip of the iceberg for Nguyen. By the end of 2026, Olive & Finch is on track to operate 10 locations, including one outpost in Denver\u2019s Golden Triangle neighborhood, and two more storefronts at Denver International Airport. These sites will join the four open Olive & Finch locations; Little Finch on 16th Street; and Finch, On the Fly, a grab-and-go kiosk that debuted in Denver International Airport this January.<\/p>\n

\"Olive
Olive & Finch plans to have 10 metro Denver locations by the end of 2026. (Provided by Olive & Finch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cEverything that we\u2019ve done has been really intentional. It just happened that now we\u2019re ready, and it\u2019s all happening at the same time,\u201d Nguyen laughed.<\/p>\n

Intentionality has been central to Olive & Finch\u2019s growth. From 2013 to 2017, the team focused on refining operations, building a solid infrastructure, and ensuring every expansion would preserve the brand\u2019s commitment to scratch-made, chef-driven food. A major component has been the launch of an in-house production and distribution company, which enables all locations to maintain Olive & Finch\u2019s standards. That same company also services wholesale clients like hospitals, hotels, grocery stores and airport concessions.<\/p>\n