BUSINESS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

OPENINGS 1 Forage Café, Presbyterian Northside Hospital, Building #D, 5901 Harper NW — FOOD

This vending-machine-based café is open to hospital staff and the public. Forage Café’s grand opening was July 7. The café features vending machines stocked with local fresh food items, a little free library, and outdoor seating. All proceeds support Meals on Wheels New Mexico.

2 Cuco’s Kitchen, 4410 Wyoming NE — FOOD

Cuco’s Kitchen held a grand opening for its third location in early June. The Mexican food restaurant has a long history in Albuquerque and was established in 1992. The restaurant had to close all of its locations in the 2008 recession but has since opened four locations. Cuco’s Kitchen has another Albuquerque location on Chelwood Park, a Santa Fe location and also has a Los Lunas restaurant with a twist. The Cuco’s Kitchen menu features meals like huevos rancheros, an avocado torta and asada fries.

3 Tucanos Brazilian Grill, 110 Central SW — FOOD

Tucanos Brazilian Grill’s Albuquerque location reopened in July after a closure to remodel the interior and patio. The restaurant invested $1.5 million, to remodel its space with new furniture, flooring, and wall treatments including a distinctive wave-pattern design inspired by the stone sidewalks of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.

4 Sweets Soda Fountain, 1909 Bellamah — FOOD

Sweets Soda Fountain is one of several new offerings at the Sawmill Market. Sweets reimagines the soda fountain experience as a modern sweet bar. The menu focuses on beverages, with refreshing Italian sodas, floats, and even Prosecco on tap. The modern-day soda fountain also offers bonbons, candy French macrons, and cotton candy.

5 Crème de la Crème, 1909 Bellamah — FOOD

Pastry Chef Armani Brigante is behind the creations at Crème de la Crème. The chef specializes in modern European pastry art.

6 Frenchies Sandwiches, 1909 Bellamah — FOOD

Another Sawmill Market offering, Frenchies Sandwiches offers a modern take on French dip sandwiches, with a range of dips, including prime rib and portobello mushroom. Diners can get tots on the side smothered in green chile queso.

7 Slim Chickens, 1909 Wellsprings, Rio Rancho — FOOD

The first New Mexico Slim Chickens location opened on July 17 in Rio Rancho. The chicken chain features menu items like wings, chicken and waffles, and sandwiches. An Albuquerque location is set to open before the end of the year at 8240 Montgomery NE.

8 Castle Coffee, 1330 Rio Rancho SE — FOOD

Joshua Castleberry opened the second Castle Coffee in Rio Rancho in early July. The local coffee shop is focused on customer service and community, according to its website. The coffee business has an Albuquerque location at 727 Tijeras NW.