Westminster will use city funds to both preserve a historical landmark and help build out a new private business.

On a 6-1 vote, Westminster’s councilmembers approved more than $4.3 million in renovations to the Rodeo Market building on 3915 W. 73rd Ave. on June 23.

The building, which housed the city’s first super market, will become a taproom called The Barque after a “competitive process” of vetting new restauranters for the historical landmark. The lease was signed to the Barquentine Brewing Company on Sept. 1.

“This neighborhood is an amazing opportunity. It’s a beautiful building. We don’t take that lightly,” Ed Knudson, co-owner of Barquentine Brewing Company, said. 

The business would act as an “environment where you can come be comfortable,” Knudson said, adding it will sell beer from the Barquentine, a brewery in Edgewater since 2020, along with food.

Overall, the city is estimated to pay $3,966,375 after the The Barque’s owners reimburse the city $391,058 for tenant improvements. The money will be used to renovate the building the business will sit in.

The improvements will also stretch to the adjacent Westminster Grange and Valente Humanitarian Park.

First-generation Italian immigrant, Gerardo Valente and his wife, Anna D’Ascenz, opened the Rodeo Supermarket in 1953. The city purchased the building, situated across from the Westminster Fire Station 1, from the Valente family in 2004.

State and local historic landmark boards listed the building as a historic landmark in 2006.

Nothing has been in the building since, despite around $900,000 put into it since 2004, according to Councilmember Kristine Ireland. 

“We’re the bad property owner. We should have been taking care of that property since we took it over over a decade ago,” Councilmember David DeMott said. “Many of these improvements need to happen because it’s our property and we need to take care of it.”

Ireland, who voted against the funding, said the lack of parking and overall price are issues.

“We’re acting like everyone is happy spending $4.5 million when their fire department needs money and we’re asking for a sales tax increase,” she said.

Resident Jim Fenimore agreed, saying, “I don’t think this money should be used for a private business. The $4.5 million should be used for the fire station across the street.”

No timeline has been set for construction.

“There’s no question they’re going to put a spark in the neighborhood that we’ve asked for for many, many years,” said Dino Valente, grandson of the building’s original operator.