Is it optimism that’s driving Josh Sampson, Josh Schmitz, and Michael Swift to open new restaurants and markets in the heart of downtown Denver in the middle of a global pandemic? Perhaps, but creativity and opportunity are also to blame as the trio help give historic Larimer Square a refresh.

There will be seven new culinary endeavors popping up around the downtown block over the course of the next month or so, including an ice cream shop, a locally sourced market and wine shop, and a Chinese-inspired pub and tearoom. The intention behind each one is rooted in a desire to bring younger visitors to Larimer Square. Each is also in its own phase of the opening process, with some spots still under construction. Here’s what’s open now and what’s to come.

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