National chain leads dash to dine in Denver’s resurging Theatre District

DENVER – Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a restaurant inspired by Paramount Pictures’ movie “Forrest Gump," will open its newest location – and one of the nation's largest – at 1437 California St. in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Its location signals a growing excitement about Denver's newly designated Theatre District, designed to draw locals as well as increasing numbers of tourists and convention attendees. The 18,000-square-foot location is one of the few multi-story Bubba Gump restaurants in the nation and will employ 211 Denverites.

“Since the success of our Breckenridge restaurant, we’ve been looking for the right opportunity to open in Denver,” said Scott Barnett, president and CEO of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. “We’re excited to be a part of Denver’s up-and-coming Theatre District. Denver is an energetic and growing community, which is reflected in its status as an increasingly popular tourist destination.”

Barnett estimates that the company is investing approximately $3 million in improvements to the new location. With a state-of-the-art kitchen, retail store and seating for 450 guests, the Denver site is one of Bubba Gump’s largest restaurants.  The Denver Bubba Gump will also feature a private dining room with full multi-media capabilities, a first for Bubba Gump restaurants.

On its opening day, Sunday, Sept. 23, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will donate a portion of lunch and dinner sales to Mile High Montessori, a nonprofit organization that prepares Denver’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children for school.

Sean O’Donnell has been named general manager of the store, and Michael Sellmeyer, formerly with Bubba Gump’s Breckenridge location, has been named head chef. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will be open for lunch and dinner starting Sunday, Sept. 23.

About Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Since the 1996 debut of the flagship Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Cannery Row in Monterey, Calif., 19 additional locations have opened, many in key tourist destinations. A privately held company headquartered in San Clemente, Calif., Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. plans to open 35 to 50 additional restaurants in the next five years. As the Shrimp Po’ Boy and Shrimp New Orleans indicate, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. brings to life the 1994 hit movie "Forrest Gump." The restaurant features down-home décor reminiscent of the movie’s Alabama setting. Film memorabilia and still photos decorate the walls, along with reproductions of script pages, storyboards and costumes, to create a fun family atmosphere. Scrawled "Gumpisms" grace the varnished tabletops inside, and guests can try on plaster casts of Forrest’s running shoes at the famed bus bench in front of the restaurant. A retail store within the restaurant sells souvenirs and clothing. Specialty items include Bubba’s shrimp cookbook, license plates with catch phrases like “RUN, Forrest, RUN,” boxes of chocolate, and T-shirts, hats and sweatshirts. For more information about Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurants, visit www.bubbagump.com. The Web site features sample menus, restaurant locations, Bubba Gump merchandise and more.

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