The well-loved Niwot restaurant 1914 House will close for good this summer, ending its presence in the Boulder County community.
The restaurant in Niwot’s business district serves contemporary American food in a stylish setting. The downstairs dining area has many tables and booths under warm lighting, and a large outdoor patio offers more seating in good weather.
However, the owner Nick Mastronardi revealed on Wednesday that the business is closing due to financial difficulties.
Mastronardi explained, “Running restaurants is challenging even in the best times. Profits are minimal, even for very busy restaurants.
Despite the recent announcement of the closure, 1914 House has been getting busier, according to Mastronardi. He hopes to keep it open until the end of July, although this timeline is uncertain. He anticipates the restaurant will at least remain operational through the end of June.
Now that regulars know the time is limited, full tables and turned-away guests have become common occurrences, as Mastronardi mentioned. However, he expressed his love for the business and emphasized that expenses are the sole reason for the closure.
He even coined a term for the positive atmosphere the restaurant offers to customers: the “1914 House positive vibe.”
Mastronardi expressed, “It has truly been a lot of fun. It’s not something I regret at all. It has been a wonderful eight years. Everyone is saddened, but also grateful for the experiences and environment we created here.”
The transformation of 1914 House into the sophisticated space it is today took time. Mastronardi purchased the building in 2014, and it opened in early 2016 after significant interior renovations, including new flooring and plumbing.
As implied by its name, the building has a history dating back to its construction in 1914. The space was last occupied by a breakfast and lunch restaurant called Rev Taylor’s, which closed in 2000.
Mastronardi wanted to bring upscale dining to Niwot, inspired by his experiences in New York before moving to Colorado 30 years ago with his family.
Mastronardi expressed, “We thought it would be enjoyable to open a restaurant one day. This building remained vacant for many years, and as a resident of Niwot, I would pass it frequently. It captivated me.”
Interest grew among Niwot residents during the rebuilding process, according to Mastronardi. The community support for the business has remained strong during his eight years of ownership. When the restaurant first opened, most customers were from Niwot and had observed the establishment of 1914 House over nearly two years.
“It became a gathering place for the community from the start,” Mastronardi stated. “When guests arrived, it would take 10 minutes to seat them at a table, because they had to stop and greet many friends and neighbors along the way.”
Eric Bergeson, leader of the Niwot Business Association, stated that independent restaurants in Colorado are currently encountering various difficulties. He mentioned the raised minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County, along with increasing expenses like rent, utilities, and insurance.
“When you add up all of those things, costs have significantly increased,” Bergeson said.
In 2017, Niwot lost Colterra – another high-quality dining establishment – in a fire. Bergeson mentioned that the developer of the building that previously housed Colterra plans to include a restaurant on the property, offering the town a new dining option.
Bergeson is also the owner of The Wheel House, a tavern located next to 1914 House. He explained that 1914 House became a popular restaurant in Niwot, largely due to Mastronardi’s efforts to renovate the old building into an upscale dining venue.
“The restaurant was very elegant,” Bergeson commented on 1914 House. “Everyone adored it. It truly attracted people to the town.”
Mastronardi expressed a desire to hand over the building to someone interested in turning it into another eatery in Niwot. If a new restaurant takes over the space, he suggested that extending operating hours or remaining open more days per week could lead to success.
“Based on the feedback I’ve received from customers since the announcement, it’s evident that this town desires a restaurant here,” Mastronardi stated. “Just as I'm closing this chapter to open a new one for myself and my entire staff, this chapter is now available for someone who wants to continue it.”
Regarding his own future plans, Mastronardi mentioned that he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and six grandchildren after his restaurant closes. He anticipates pursuing hobbies such as gardening, biking, snowboarding, and hockey.
He also noted that the memories created in his restaurant, from birthday celebrations to anniversary dinners, will always hold a special place in his heart.
“I am incredibly grateful that I launched my restaurant in Niwot,” Mastronardi remarked. Pointing to a window overlooking Second Avenue from the building, he added: “Because that’s the window I get to look out of every day or night, and I'm not certain there's anywhere else I’d rather be than right here.”
