Magna Kainan, the Filipino restaurant tucked into the base of the Novel RiNo tower, is on its way out. The ownership group announced on June 1 that the concept will close, citing ongoing construction at the site and unfortunate timing that made the restaurant a tough fit. A final closing date has not been set. While Magna prepares to exit, the rooftop bar Sorry Gorgeous upstairs is expected to keep pouring drinks as the company figures out what comes next in the building.
In a statement to The Denver Post, Culinary Creative Group confirmed it is pulling the plug on Magna Kainan and said it aims to move as many team members as possible into its other concepts. The group pointed to construction and "timing" as the main drivers behind the decision and added that it is weighing options for how to reuse the ground-floor space. Sorry Gorgeous, it reiterated, will remain in operation on the rooftop while those plans take shape.
Magna's Short Run In RiNo
Magna Kainan opened at the end of 2024 on the ground floor of the Novel RiNo building at 1350 40th Street, bringing the Denver outpost of chef Carlo Lamagna's Portland concept to the neighborhood. According to Magna Kainan, Lamagna serves as executive chef with Jodee Reyes as chef de cuisine. Local outlets, including 5280, highlighted the restaurant's December 2024 debut and its early acclaim.
Company Plans For Staff And Space
Culinary Creative Group says it will try to place Magna Kainan staffers elsewhere in its portfolio and is considering turning the ground-floor restaurant into a culinary incubator. The company has not given a firm closing date and is coordinating with employees on next steps, according to its statement to The Denver Post.
Why This Matters For RiNo
The shake-up comes as Culinary Creative Group adjusts under new leadership and leans into a growth strategy that experiments with younger concepts. BusinessDen reported that Richard Flaherty formally took over as CEO earlier in 2026 and has described smaller spots like Magna Kainan as part of the group's incubator approach. That broader reshuffling, combined with construction headaches and rising operating costs, is helping drive which ideas stick around in Denver and which get retired.
