Dickey's Barbecue to open in August

We’ve told you that Dickey’s Barbecue was on its way to Colorado Springs. Now we're hearing that franchise owners Bob and Barb Rusnak have graduated from Dickey’s Barbecue-U in Dallas and are set to open their store at 1466 Garden of the Gods Road in August.

“We had never heard of Dickey’s until we started looking for business opportunities,” said Barb, who recently retired from the Air Force. “We liked their business model from what we read online. We have no restaurant experience, but we liked the way they train people to be successful.”

Bob, who is still in the Air Force, will be retiring soon. The couple hopes to open another location once their first store is going strong.

Revolving doors

Steve Weber has left his executive chef position at Walter’s Bistro. If you are a member of the Gardens of the Gods Club, you will find him heading up the culinary team at that kitchen.

“The Garden of the Gods Club was the first place I sent an application to when I knew we were moving to the Springs,” Weber said. “When the executive chef position opened I sent another resume. I never thought I’d get the job. I really love Walter and hated to leave, but this had been a long time dream.”

Don’t fret about how your food will be prepared at Walter’s in Weber’s absence.

“I have promoted Phil Meyer to the executive chef position,” said Walter Iser, owner of the restaurant. “He has worked for me a long time as the sous chef and has always done an excellent job.”

Fresh bread Fridays

Donna Poelstra, owner of Taste of Life in Monument, has worked out an arrangement with Bliss Bakery and Kitchen, 818 Village Center Dr. (in the Safeway Marketplace at Rockrimmon Road and Vindicator Drive), to deliver freshly baked bread to Taste of Life on Fridays.

“I’m going to be bringing whole wheat, honey oatmeal and white breads,” Poelstra said. “I’ll occasionally have cinnamon swirl too. I’ll be adding foccacia pull-a-part breads, cinnamon rolls and homemade fruit pies.”

Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; noon- 3 p.m. Sundays. Call 599-4411. Visit www.bliss-bakery.com.

Crepes on the move

Olde Town Creperie has summer hours and new locations: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays in the Big Lots parking lot at Union Boulevard and Academy Boulevard; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays at Miller Farm’s market at Town Center (South Carefree Avenue and North Powers Boulevard); 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays at the Broadmoor farmers market, 315 Lake Ave.; and 8 a.m.-3 p.m.CQ second Saturdays of the month at the Little London Market, 109 S. Sierra Madre St..

Wine bar update

Swirl Wine Emporium, 717 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs, has expanded its seating area, added a micro-brew on draft system and will start serving lunch and dinner in July. Expect the menu to feature paninis, soups, tapas and pastries. Call 685-2294. Visit www.swirlismybar.com.

Bye, bye cookies

Otho Spencer, owner of Otho’s Cookies and Brownies, 1710 Briargate Blvd. in the Chapel Hills Mall, will be moving to London, England, at the end of July. He plans to bring American-style cookies to the British. He has been serving his award-winning cookies to us since 1999. Drop by a warm cookie before he sets sail.

Direct from Spain

Dick and Mary Frieg, owners of Savory Spice Shop, 110 N. Tejon St., went to cooking classes in Spain in May and they are going to share some of their cooking discoveries at 6:30 p.m. June 18. Cost is $30 for a sampling of tapas, almond soup and pinchitos (little pork skewers). All are paired with wine. Call 633-8803.

Shuttered
Phat Daddy’s Café and Ice Cream, 311 S. Hancock Ave., has closed.

Open
Dr. Sweet’s Bakery, 4703 N. Academy Blvd., where the baker specializes in wedding cakes. Call 645-8641CQ. Visit http://www.drsweetsbakery.com/.CQ

"KVOR Table Talk"

Here's a look at the guests on the show noon to 1 p.m. Saturday on 740 AM.

1. Craig McHugh, owner of A Joyful Noise Farm, will talk about the "Follow the Farmer Seminar” with Joel Salatin on Aug. 4. This is a walking tour of his working small farm. He will also talk about how to have backyard chickens. Call 357-9410. Visit www.ajoyfulnoisefarm.com.

2. Benjamin and Katherine Gallegos-Pardo, who with Rebecca Gallegos, own Café Corto Coffee Gallery, 115 E. Kiowa St., will tell us about their unique café, which features South American-style foods. Call 577-4347. Visit www.cafecorto.com

3. Deb Nichols, owner of Cowbells Western Interiors, 214 W. Midland St. in Woodland Park, will tell us about the exciting new Colorado wine tasting rooms that she has helped organize in Woodland Park. Call 687-4334. Visit www.cowbellsgifts.com.

4. Kelli Hepler, with the Delta County Tourism Board, will tell us about the many farm-to-table experiences there are to enjoy in the Delta County area. Visit www.deltacountycolorado.com