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Bakery opens on 16th Street Mall

Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri fired up its ovens on Denver’s 16th Street Mall with a celebration Sunday.

It’s the bakery’s second location, with the first opening in Centennial in 2021. Ana’s specializes in, as the name implies, Norwegian-style pastries and baked goods. That includes Christmas cookies and traditional Lefse bread.

The company used the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Popup Denver program, which streamlines getting retailers into vacant space on the mall, to occupy the space at 918 16th St.

“We are so excited to be part of the 16th Street landscape. Our focus on community building through homemade baked goods has resonated with our customers, and we look forward to expanding our community building into downtown Denver,” Owner Ana Fanakra said in a news release.

The company started with Fanakra selling the fresh-baked goods out of area farmer’s markets and food cottages.

“Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri is a meaningful addition to 16th Street, and the Downtown Denver Partnership could not be more thrilled to have worked with Ana and the team to bring her downtown storefront to reality through Popup Denver,” said Kourtny Garrett, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our center city, and we hope that Ana’s expansion will be an inspiration for other small, local businesses to choose downtown as they look to grow.”

Arvada’s new chicken restaurant

El Pollo Loco opened its second Colorado restaurant at 5480 Wadsworth Bypass in Arvada.

The fast-casual chain’s first local restaurant opened at 4698 Peoria St. in Denver.

“When our team discovered this vibrant spot in the heart of Arvada, we instantly recognized the location as the ideal home for our newest El Pollo Loco,” said Brian Carmichall, chief development officer for El Pollo Loco, in a news release. “With a spacious dining room designed to reflect the warm, community-focused spirit of Arvada, we’re excited to offer a place where locals can gather and savor their El Pollo Loco favorites as we continue to expand in the Colorado market.”

Pop-up holiday bar

The 5th Annual NOEL Christmas Pop-Up Bar has returned to The Bluegrass Lounge, 7415 Grandview Ave., in Old Town Arvada.

With a theme of “Christmas in Colorado,” more than half a million lights and decorations adorn the bar. Adults can enjoy Christmas-themed cocktails, as well as workshops, classic Christmas movie viewing and karaoke on Thursdays. For the children, Santa appears every Wednesday.