Storied Fort Collins sandwich shop closes after 2023 reopening

B&B Pickle Barrel Bar & Deli has permanently closed, its ownership group confirmed in a statement to the Coloradoan Friday afternoon.

The beloved sandwich shop, 122 W. Laurel St., shuttered over mechanical failures in its kitchen Saturday and never reopened. Its closure marks the end of a second act for the eatery, which reopened under new ownership last March.

The group's statement cited "a pretty tough economy," increased labor, food, beverage and operating costs and "a greater than 20% increase in the cost of rent." Those factors, the group said, left it "no option to continue to operate the business in a financially feasible nor responsible manner."

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After running the shop for more than 30 years, the Pickle Barrel's co-founder and longtime owner Brenda Smith sold the business to Kara and Mike DiTullio back in 2021. Just over a year later, Mike DiTullio confirmed the restaurant would shutter and go back up for sale.

Within months, a new ownership group had stepped forward to take over the sandwich shop. The group included local real estate broker Mike Jensen, Mishawaka Amphitheatre owner Dani Grant, Slyce Pizza Co. founder and owner Jeremy Tand and Falco, who founded and owns Butterfly Cafe in addition to DGT.

"We are extremely grateful to the community for their support and engaging with us on this chapter of the Pickle Barrel," the group's statement continues. "We hope that the business can be reopened soon by another operator to continue this great legacy which we were proud to be a small part of."