The old Market at Larimer Square is now a “records café”

No spring fling cake, but there will be lots of music.
3 min. read
<a href="https://www.restaurantji.com/co/denver/larimer-records-cafe-/" target="none" rel="noopener">Larimer Records Cafe</a> is open for business in Larimer Square. Feb. 2, 2021.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

By Paul Albani-Burgio

LoDo has gone through countless changes over the last three-plus decades, but one thing Denverites could always count was being able to enjoy a slice of spring fling cake under the blue and white awning of The Market at Larimer Square.

But that beloved institution closed last March, and a new concept has opened in the The Market's old digs. Larimer Records Café is now spinning at 1445 Larimer Street.

What, exactly, is a records café?

"Larimer Records Café is a music café connecting Denver's eclectic music community to a chill vibe," said Josh Sampson, who owns the Good Baby Management group, which opened the Garage Sale vintage record and clothing store at 1450 Larimer Street last year, in a press release. "It specializes in all things melodic and nostalgic."

Sampson said the new café is inspired by The Lovin Cup Café, a similar concept he owned in Brooklyn during what he describes in the release as "a magical time in the Good Old Days of Brooklyn" (which he says is circa 2008). The Lovin Cup had quite an illustrious run. Mumford  and Sons played their first show in the U.S. there, and members of LCD Soundsystem were also known to gig there (as was comedian Zach Galifinakis).

"The Lovin Cup was more than a café  -- it was an artistic community, and I intend to bring that heart back into Larimer Square," said Sampson in the release.

Larimer Records Cafe is open for business in Larimer Square. Feb. 2, 2021.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Larimer Records Cafe is open for business in Larimer Square. Feb. 2, 2021.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

To that end, the new space, which Good Baby Management spokesperson Kelsey McCartney said has been revamped with a different, warmer vibe, is outfitted with listening stations where customers are able to throw on the provided headphones and jam. There will also both be vinyl and vinyl-playing equipment for sale as well as a venue-wide sound system that will play records spun by a range of DJs.

Sampson said the kitchen at Larimer Records Café will be run by the team from Farm to Truck, a food truck business that aims to make farm-to-table eating more casual and mobile. Most recently, Farm to Truck also served inside Larimer Vinyl Cafe's predecessor, Farmer's Market LSQ.

Sandwiches dominate the brunch menu while the lunch and dinner menu includes burgers, salads and a chicken tender basket. There is also a coffee bar, charcuterie boards and a small roster of baked goods that includes croissants, bagels and hand pies.

The bar, meanwhile, will serve up a regularly changing list of cocktails as well as wine, craft beers and bubbles.

Amy Chadick runs the front counter at Larimer Records Cafe. Feb. 2, 2021.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

Sampson said Good Baby is working with several vinyl experts -- including guitarist Eddie Roberts of jazz- and funk-fusion band the New Mastersounds, who recently launched his own label -- to both DJ in the space and curate its music offerings.

"This combination brings everything from the most sought after vinyl to local, independent bands showcasing their very first EP into one space," Sampson said.

And as for the original Market's spring fling cake, it lives on through LaLa's Bakery, a home-based bakery run by three former The Market at Larimer Square employees. The LaLa's team can be reached to place an order at [email protected].

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