Highly Anticipated: Marczyk Fine Foods, Take Two

It’s not news that I’m a die-hard fan of Marczyk Fine Foods in Uptown. I stop by the gourmet grocery at least twice a week to select meticulously butchered meats and carefully sourced seafood, or to hit up the cheese and prepared-food sections (who can resist the house-made whoopie pies?). Plus, I like the owners—Pete and Paul Marczyk and Barbara Macfarlane—and their unwavering commitment to quality and building a sense of community. In my opinion, every neighborhood could use such a market.

And while that’s not feasible, I’m thrilled that come summer south Park Hill will get its own Marczyk’s at East Colfax Avenue and Fairfax Street (just a block or so from neighborhood stalwarts Solera Restaurant & Wine Bar, Deluxe Burger, and Mod Livin’). The 1925 building—formally an Ace Hardware and before that a Safeway—is roughly the same size as the Uptown store, and it promises all the same goods: full deli, fresh produce, meat, and seafood–plus a wine boutique.

Last week, I walked through the space—which, as of now, is still very much a construction zone—and got a look at the basic floor plan. Already, the market-to-be feels thoughtful and part of the area. Macfarlane puts into words what’s already emanating from the place: “We really, really believe a world-class neighborhood market is part of the fabric of a successful city,” she says. “We love Denver. We live here. We work here.”

I couldn’t be happier to live halfway between both locations.

770 E. 17th Ave., 303-894-9499; 5100 E. Colfax Ave.