Tom and Rose to Sell Red Rose Cafe

Oh no! Say it ain't so, Tom! The Casabonas are putting their local eatery, the Red Rose Cafe, on the market. According to the Daily Sentinel, Rose misses the Vietnamese community back in Denver and is homesick. But where else in the Grand Valley will we get such kick-butt spring rolls?

Under the headline, "Selling the Red Rose," Sentinel reporter Anna Marai Basquez writes:

"Red Rose Cafe, which in four short years has earned a reputation as a landmark restaurant in downtown Palisade with a hearty mix of Italian, Asian and American foods, is for sale.

“'We want to move back to Denver, back to the big city,' said Tom Casabona, co-owner of the cafe at 235 Main St. along with his wife, Rose. 'My wife wants to move back to Denver. She misses having an Oriental community and various other things.'

"The restaurant received favorable mention from the New York Times in an article published in its travel section earlier this month about biking in Colorado wine country. It is on the market for $750,000.

"The Casabonas moved four years ago from Denver, where they owned Rose’s Cafe for 20 years across from Lowry Air Force Base on Seventh Avenue and Quebec Street.

"Casabona said he knows selling a business during tough economic times means the sale could be slow. He said the resturant may stay if business picks up enough.

“'I’m not selling it cheaply, and in today’s economy with things the way they are, I don’t expect it to be a quick, easy sale,' Casabona said. 'It may take as long as a year, maybe longer.'

“'Their food’s been good and reputable,' said Bruce Jensen, owner of The Packing Shed diner in Palisade. He said competition among restaurants went up with Inari’s Bistro moving in.

"The business environment in Palisade has to be prepared for good summer months and very slow winter months each year, Casabona said.

“'I understand it’s Palisade. It’s not consistent,' Casabona said. 'It’s fine business in the nice months and lousy business in the winter months. Palisade is growing and doing well in the summer. It’s too quiet in the winter. It’s quiet now.'

"Inari’s Bistro started to stay open later to cater to crowds the Wine Country Inn might bring in."

We're real sorry to hear this, even though it doesn't sound like a right away thing. We hope that Tom and Rose get a good asking price and they will be missed.