Coined as “Marczyk 2.0” the 9,000-sq. ft. store will house a full-service fresh grocery, along with wine and liquor, and will feature additional in-store seating for deli and prepared foods.
With more than 15 years in the Denver market, Marczyk’s decided to expand its reach to Westminster due in part to the vision that is driving the development of the City’s new Downtown on the former Westminster Mall site.
“We were attracted to this site because of the commitment the City has made to build a true downtown with different developers and users that share a common vision,” said Pete Marczyk, co-founder and CEO of Marczyk Fine Foods.
Westminster has stood by its vision to create a unique downtown for its residents, with a “block by block” approach, facilitating an organic nature of development, rather than a master- planned community designed by one developer.
Marczyk is gladly taking on the role of “pioneer” in this move, knowing that their other two Denver locations saw the community develop around them. “This is not our first rodeo”, said Marczyk. “Our first two stores opened before the neighborhoods were vibrant. We create a fun and friendly experience for our customers to shop, capped off by special events including our popular Friday Burger Night in the summer, and our annual pig roast.”
While a specialty grocery store located on the first floor of an independent hotel is a unique concept, the Thrash Group, developers of Origin, is at home with development concepts that push the boundaries. “In our first meeting with Pete, we immediately realized how much the Marczyk ideals lined up with our Origin brand,” said Walker Thrash, partner with the Thrash Group.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more exceptional first in development from the Thrash Group and Marczyk’s to have a signature fine grocer on the ground floor of a unique independent hotel,” said Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison.
The Origin brand is described as ‘an independent hotel collection that began from a premise to redefine the hotel as a community. It is an experience-driven culture for explorers, travelers, and experience junkies.’
“We want to be the most local hotel in the area and it made sense to partner with the premier local fine foods grocer. We aim to be the starting point for the traveler’s experience in Westminster, and are excited about the offerings we can explore together,” said Thrash.
The fact that both are family-run businesses with a passion for their product did not escape them. Patriarch of the family, Ike Thrash, started the Thrash Group, and now works alongside his sons Walker and Joe. Pete Marczyk co-founded Marczyk Fine Foods with his wife Barbara Macfarlane, and Pete’s brother Paul serves as president of the company.
In addition to integrating Marczyk Fine Foods into their lobby area, Origin will feature a chef-driven restaurant, and are looking for the right first-floor retailer to complement the grocer. “The commitment of Thrash to bring in a chef driven restaurant to the hotel will only enhance the experience for hotel guests and shoppers to the downtown,” said Sarah Nurmela, Downtown Westminster Real Estate and Development Manager.
This is the second Origin hotel to be built in the Denver Metro Area, the first one planned for I-70 development near Red Rocks Amphitheater.
