Wild Corgi Adapts And Grows

As closures loomed, local business owner Dusty Jones knew he had to act fast and evolve his business offerings to stay afloat in unforeseen times. In March, he closed for only two days as he brainstormed and took action.

Prior to the recent shut down, Wild Corgi operated as a favorite Colfax pub, offering food and fun events like bingo with Rockstar Aaron and Sunday Drag Brunch with Lala Shearz. Now, they operate with the focus on food and entertainment, especially on take-out orders and delivery services.

Wild Corgi launched its presence on all the delivery apps, including Uber Eats and DoorDash, and developed the menu to be appealing for remote customers. Dusty asked himself, ‘What foods travel best for delivery service?’ Through trial and error, Wild Corgi has found success with the delivery apps and is considering offering deliveries in-house as well. They also created a to-go alcohol menu adapting with the new mandates.

Wild Corgi opened in December 2018 when Dusty bought the space after working there for three years prior. Dusty said business was solid, and they had built a loyal fan base, but then COVID hit, and he had to quickly adapt and figure out how to keep his doors open. He has evolved his business and continued to serve the neighborhood great food and service, and Dusty said he has taken the downtime to get better.

“During the slow hours, we were able to focus on our kitchen, and we started exploring the smoker,” Dusty says. “We now have brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and more smoked meat ideas that we have been able to improve on.”

Over the fall, Wild Corgi was back to bustling with creative events from poker tournaments to drag queen brunch shows with Lala Shearz, with limited capacity and an online reservation system.

“With limited capacity and the cost it takes to put on events, we have to be careful,” Dusty explains. “But, the events we have been able to host have all been great and the guests have all been excited to be out and experiencing it.”

Best of Denver: Pandemic Edition

Their drag queen brunch with Lala Shearz even donated profits to the local charity We Are Family. Drag Hostess Lala Shearz said Dusty is an amazing business owner who has provided a safe and welcoming space for all walks of life. Wild Corgi’s efforts to push forward, feed the community great food, and offer entertainment has been appreciated.

“I have been very fortunate to be able to continue entertaining folks during this pandemic,” Lala Shearz says. “Drag entertainers strive to bring joy to others, and if we could make you forget the shitty things going on around you, even for a three-and-a-half-minute song, then we have done our job.”

With temperature checks, enforcing masks, and changing drag performances to no cash tips, Wild Corgi has taken all the steps to create a safe environment. The customers have been receptive, supportive, and happy to follow the rules and be out having fun.

Their most difficult part of operating business was the constant changes in local mandates. Denver restaurants went from 50 percent to 25 percent capacity, and now back to no indoor dining at all. With each local order, Dusty and his team have innovated every step along the way.

“The Corgi thrives under pressure, and we adapt to changes,” Dusty says. “Anytime they rolled something out, and even if I don’t agree with it on the business end, I know everything they are doing is for the best, and especially for those who are immune-compromised. We made the effort because that’s what you do. We started the Corgi as a community pub, and we want to keep taking care of all of our community, and that means taking care of everybody.”

Wild Corgi Pub is asking that you continue to support them through delivery food and consider nominating them for the Broncos Business Boost. Their doors will be back open to the community they love as soon as indoor restrictions are lifted.”

Visit them for the latest updates at their website, wildcorgipub.com.