The building in downtown Grand Junction that recently housed Brown Cycles has been sold and is undergoing renovations to become an international restaurant.
The Mesa County Assessor’s website indicates that The Maken Do LLC, owned by former Brown Cycles proprietor Chris Brown, sold the property at 549 and 555 Main St. on June 9. The buyer was 549-555 Main Street LLC, which belongs to Uwe Kirch. Kirch, known by his nickname Trout, also owns Rocky Mountain West Insurance and The Rockslide Brew Pub in downtown Grand Junction. The purchase price for the building was $1,000,001. This transaction occurred before Brown publicly announced the closure of Brown Cycles, which had operated for nearly 26 years.
Kirch, who has experience renovating older buildings downtown, stated he saw the property listed, walked through it, and spoke with Brown. He explained, "I threw a number at him, and he took it."
The new restaurant will be named Valle di Sera, an Italian phrase meaning "valley of the evening." Kirch outlined an international concept for the restaurant, aiming for a diverse culinary selection rather than focusing on a single ethnicity or country. He suggested the menu might feature dishes like "Maybe some German. Maybe some Brazilian. Maybe some Moroccan. We’ll bring in some things we don’t already have here (in the Grand Valley)," aiming to introduce unique flavors to the Grand Valley.
Valle di Sera is planned to offer an elevated dining experience, with Kirch drawing comparisons to establishments such as the former 626 on Rood, The Winery Restaurant, Bin 707 Foodbar, Devil’s Kitchen, and Enzo’s Ristorante Italiano. A strong emphasis will also be placed on service. The restaurant intends to use locally sourced meats, including "bison and venison that you’d find in Colorado." Additionally, Kirch mentioned the menu might include a tribute to the building’s past, possibly by naming a drink or dish after Chris Brown.
The front portion of the 555 Main St. half of the building, currently leased by Bella Balsamic & The Pressed Olive since 2014, will continue to be occupied by the business. The back half of 555 Main St. will integrate into the new Valle di Sera restaurant. Kirch expects the main dining area to accommodate 50 to 60 people, with a separate, more private area in the back featuring a custom-built 24-foot-long table, envisioned for events like wedding rehearsals.
Kirch expressed his desire for Valle di Sera to stand out and not simply appeal to everyone or blend in with existing options. He observed, "It feels like in Grand Junction you have to find the middle ground," which he believes often leads restaurants to avoid bold flavors. Kirch asserted, "We should not be afraid to put flavor into things." Summing up his vision for the project, Kirch stated, "We’re thinking there’s opportunity there," before quipping, "If it flops, we can make it a taco joint."
