A beloved Denver landmark is closing, and the city will never be the same.

The Market at Larimer Square had temporarily closed up shop in March in response to the coronavirus outbreak. It was announced yesterday that the long-loved local favorite will not reopen. Although the pandemic was part of the decision, it was not the sole factor.

The owner, Mark Greenberg, has run the marketplace for 20 years, since buying it with his brother, Gary, in 1983. An announcement was released on social media to give fans and local followers the news:

After 37 years in business, we've made the decision to close The Market's doors for good.

We've had an incredible run, and we're deeply grateful to the Denver community for letting us be a part of your lives - from your morning coffee run and lunches with friends to your yearly Spring Fling traditions and family celebrations, and so many moments in between.

We are proud to have been a part of this community. Larimer Square will always feel like home, and we look forward to visiting our friends here when we can all come together again.

In the meantime, stay safe out there. Thank you, Denver.

Greenberg has been looking towards retirement and spending more time with his grandchildren, so after the temporary closure, he decided that the time was now to take leave of the historic Denver institution. The official move out will happen once the Denver stay-at-home order is lifted, and the space will find a new purpose.

The Market at Larimer Square, located at 1445 Larimer Street, was started in 1978 by businesswoman Dana Crawford, who sold it to the Greenburg brothers in 1983. It began as a small local market in the area, and has become iconic and loved by all who come to Denver. When the Greenberg brothers took over, they transformed The Market into a top-notch bakery, deli, and expresso bar. Known for its delectable in-house food, legendary wedding cakes, the scrumptious Spring Fling cake, and a unique and welcoming atmosphere, The Market at Larimer Square is in every must-see guide about Denver.

Sadly, Gary passed away in 2000 and Mark and his wife Andrea have run The Market since then. Now, it's time for the family to move on, though it is a bittersweet decision. Many of the staff had worked there for years—some for decades—speaking to the character and dedication of Greenberg.

Gary and Mark Greenberg. Courtesy of The Market at Larimer Square

In its 37 years, The Market never used traditional advertising, instead building its customer base by relying on word-of-mouth and its customers to bring people in, and clearly, that age-old method worked.

The Market will not have an official closing party or big event to mark its doors closing, as social distancing makes that impossible at the moment. A social media campaign is being put together, and customers and fans can tag The Market and share memories on social media, @themarketatlarmimer, with the hashtag #37YearsAtTheMarket.

Courtesy of The Market at Larimer Square (Facebook)

The Market at Larimer Square was a place every Denverite should have gotten to experience, at least once; its smells, sounds, and people always brought a smile to those who passed through, whether for the first time or as a regular visitor.

Though this news is sad for Denver, we understand why the time is right, and thank Greenberg and his family for keeping the place alive for so long. We sure will miss that cake, though! Please share your favorite memory of The Market with us in the comments.