Longmont's first restaurant week has been a big hit with local diners, according to restaurant owners and event organizers.
More than 40 establishments have participated in the 10-day event, which wraps up Sunday. Each participant is offering special deals priced at $18.71 — a nod to the year Longmont was founded.
"It's a pretty great deal and gives us a chance to check out some places we've really wanted to try," local diner Tony Swartz said between bites of a burrito at Jefe's Tacos & Tequila.
Michelle Brietzke, co-owner of La Momo Maes Bakery & Cafe, said her shop has experienced a noticeable uptick in customer traffic and phone calls since Longmont Restaurant Week began.
"It's been awesome so far," she said. "(The specials) give a reason for people to get out and explore what Longmont has to offer — it's kind of like a little nudge."
That little nudge has boosted sales at some participating establishments.
"Our weekend (sales) were up about 15 or 18 percent, and during the week it's about 10 percent higher than normal," said Mac's Place co-owner Teresa MacPhail. "To see this week come to fruition and to be so successful has been a real joy."
That roughly 15 percent bump is reflective of the experience of many of the restaurant owners Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce President Scott Cook has chatted with over past week.
"The feedback we are getting from restaurants has been really encouraging," he said.
When Longmont Restaurant Weeks ends, the Chamber will compile more detailed sales and traffic data to get a better sense for the business impact of the event.
Lynn Owens, co-owner of The Dickens Tavern, credited the Chamber and other organizers such as the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, Visit Longmont and the Longmont Economic Development Partnership with doing a "really good job of spreading the word."
Chamber Membership Director Karen Stallard, along with Event and Program Director Leah Winkler, led the effort to launch Longmont Restaurant Week.
Stallard said she was "pleasantly surprised" by the level of interest from restaurant owners, which helped bolster her belief that "Longmont was really ready to have a restaurant week."
Cook agreed that the success of the event is evidence of the local restaurant scene stepping up its game.
"A few years ago, we wouldn't have been able to pull off a week like this," he said.
Jen Flores, who took advantage of the restaurant week special at the Pumphouse Brewery, said the event has helped introduce her to new establishments.
"I saw something on Facebook" about the event, she said. "I went on the website, saw (the list of participants) and I was like, 'Wow, I didn't even know some of these places were there.' I'm planning on checking some of them out sometime."
While local eateries often compete for costumers, events such as Longmont Restaurant Week help boost the sense of community among restaurateurs, participants and organizers say.
"It's created a lot of buzz and positive community feelings," Brietzke said. "People want to see others succeed, even if they are in the same kind of business."
LDDA Executive Director Kimberlee McKee agreed, saying: "I think there's a lot of really good collaboration going on.
"This is a great example of how our businesses are working together," she said.
While there are no concrete plans in place for a Longmont Restaurant Week next year, participants have high hopes.
Sugarbeet co-owner Ben Wheelon said "there is lots of interest" in replicating the event.
"It's nice to have this emphasis on local businesses," he said.
Stallard said the interest in this year's Longmont Restaurant Week is an encouraging sign that the city can support such an event.
"This is something that could absolutely happen again," she said.
In the meantime, organizers are encouraging people to get out this weekend and take advantage of the deals while they last.
"Try as many places as possible," Winkler said. "We are getting a lot of comments from people joking about putting on weight this week because they've tried so many different places."
Lucas High: 303-684-5310, lhigh@times-call.com, twitter