Open for just over a year, the popular Secret Garden Bar & Café in Cheesman Park closed suddenly on Friday.
According to the organizing director with UFCW Local 7, which represents employees at Secret Garden, workers were scheduled to meet with management for their first contract negotiation session Oct. 8. One day before, on Oct. 7, management apparently announced that the restaurant’s final day of service would be Oct. 19, citing profitability issues for the sudden decision.
Some employees, on the other hand, believe the closure was in retaliation for their recent unionization in June.
Friday afternoon, as employees convened at the restaurant to gather signatures for a petition to protest the closing, management closed the doors “abruptly in the middle of service,” according to a barista. Secret Garden’s website and Instagram profile were then quickly taken down.
“This came as a surprise to many of us as we were looking forward to bargaining for a fair contract after we voted to unionize with 100% support in the summer,” the petition reads.
On Friday afternoon, City Cast Denver attempted to contact the restaurant but received no response. When we called the Secret Garden’s ownership group, City Street Investors, they declined to comment. A representative with UFCW Local 7 was able to confirm the business’ permanent closure.
This is a developing story. Follow the City Cast Denver podcast and newsletter for updates.
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