Blake Street Tavern successor signs lease long after planned opening

After a nearly two-year saga, the new owners of the former Blake Street Tavern space have finally secured the keys and plan to open The Tavern on Blake Street.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:36am

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After a nearly two-year process of negotiations, complications, and ownership changes, Jeff and Ashley Moerke have finally secured the lease for the former Blake Street Tavern space at 2301 Blake St. in Denver. They plan to open a new concept called The Tavern on Blake Street, which will feature a similar menu to their other Tavern locations in Snowmass and Carbondale, along with a basement area for live music and DJs. The Moerkes are excited to breathe new life into the iconic Blake Street Tavern space, which closed in 2023 after years of operation.

Why it matters

The reopening of the Blake Street Tavern space under new ownership is significant for the Blake Street neighborhood, which has seen its fair share of business turnover in recent years. The Moerkes' concept aims to honor the legacy of the previous Blake Street Tavern while also offering a fresh take and expanded amenities like a live music venue. This could help revitalize the area and provide a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.

The details

After negotiations that began in 2024, a year after Blake Street Tavern closed, the Moerkes finally secured the 18,000-square-foot space on Monday. The process was complicated by the previous owner, Urban Renaissance Group (URG), citing the need for $1 million in HVAC and patio repairs. When URG stopped responding, the Moerkes determined the company was facing financial stress. In December, URG sold the building's defaulted loan to Sidford Capital, which took ownership. The Moerkes are now footing the bill for $425,000 in repairs, which they can be reimbursed for over the course of their 20-year lease.

  • The Moerkes began negotiating to take over the Blake Street Tavern space in 2024, a year after it closed.
  • In February 2025, the Moerkes told the Denver Post their concept, Tavern on Blake Street, would open by Rockies opening day.
  • In June 2025, the Moerkes told BusinessDen their concept would open in December.
  • In December 2025, URG sold the building's defaulted loan to Sidford Capital, which took ownership of the property.
  • The Moerkes secured the lease and keys to the space on Monday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Jeff Moerke

Co-owner of The Tavern Kitchen & Bar in Snowmass and the new Tavern on Blake Street concept.

Ashley Moerke

Co-owner of The Tavern Kitchen & Bar in Snowmass and the new Tavern on Blake Street concept. She previously worked as a bartender at the original Blake Street Tavern.

Urban Renaissance Group (URG)

The Seattle-based company that previously owned the 2301 Blake St. building and cited the need for $1 million in repairs before selling the defaulted loan.

Sidford Capital

The Denver-based company that acquired the 2301 Blake St. building after URG sold the defaulted loan.

Andy Clemens

An SRS real estate broker who represented URG before switching to the tenant side after the loan sale.

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What they’re saying

“What a f***ing journey,”

— Jeff Moerke, Co-owner

“At the end of the day, I'm just happy that Jeff and Ashley got the space. They're going to breathe life back into Blake Street Tavern.”

— Andy Clemens, SRS real estate broker

“You could come in and spend some serious money with us, or you could come in and get a $10 burger or $1 wings on wing Wednesday. We're here for everybody.”

— Jeff Moerke, Co-owner

What’s next

The Moerkes will now focus on completing the necessary repairs and securing a liquor license from the city in order to open The Tavern on Blake Street. They are aiming for a quick turnaround, but an exact opening timeline has not been set.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Blake Street Tavern space under new ownership by the Moerke family represents a fresh start for the iconic Denver location after a tumultuous period of ownership changes and financial complications. The Moerkes' experience operating successful Tavern concepts in mountain towns, combined with their emotional attachment to the Blake Street space, positions them well to revitalize the neighborhood and provide a popular gathering spot for the community.