Meet Mitchell Yellen

A NORTH by Colorado Media Group SPECIAL FEATURE

Local Entrepreneur Continues to Bring New Flavors & Big Ideas to the Springs

For many individuals, having multiple projects going on simultaneously on all four burners is the norm. In fact, “Busy!” is our standard American response when someone ask, “So, how are things going?”. Some might argue we need to come to our senses about this always being busy thing.

But don’t tell that to Mitchell Yellen, a Colorado Springs entrepreneur who would need a 15-burner stove to keep his projects lit. The most recent count is eight local concept eateries, three feature film projects, three record labels, and the state’s largest commercial fence company.

Originally from the “city that never sleeps”, Yellen, who also doesn’t need sleep apparently, met his wife, Windsor in 1984 in California while working in the film industry. The couple moved from Hollywood to Colorado Springs in 2000, where they could raise their five children. With him came an energy that can only be described as tireless.”

Yellen’s goal is to bring unique tastes and experiences from his travels both from around the U.S. and the world to the local food scene. Tastes and experiences that made an impression on him as one who takes quality food and service very seriously.

“There are countless flavors and combinations in the world many might not otherwise experience unless they go to those places. Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to travel a lot in my professional life, and when I experience and taste something outstanding, I bring it back with me and implement them onto our menus,” Yellen opines.

Mitchell is the founder and CEO of Altitude Hospitality Group (AHG) – a local investment group, presently engaged

with eight concept restaurants that are either operating or coming online before the end of 2022. Those include, The Pinery on the Hill, Till, Vine & Wheel, Garden of the Gods Market & Café, Sprig, The Pinery North, Train Wreck, The Blind Lark, and Lucca.

The former aspiring actor goes on, “When in Napa Valley, I saw these very eclectic venues where you can get farm-totable produce, perfectly prepared dishes, fresh fish, fresh coffees, breads, pizzas, and other items in an upscale restaurant-grocery typeenvironment. Here, we added an extended bar, warm and inviting ambiance, and spectacular views of Pikes Peak. That is what Till Kitchen was.”

For many on the north and eastern side of Colorado Springs, Till Kitchen was one of the places to go for milestone events, socializing, and something different from standard fare. In 2019, the traffic just wouldn’t sustain the concept’s continuation even though it was surviving. Factor in Covid-19 in early 2020, that all but sealed the fate of Till Kitchen and its successor, Northside Social – a multi-use food and entertainment facility that included pickleball courts. “We learned a lot through this experience,” Yellen recalls. “Both were ambitious efforts – too ambitious. But, with every setback, there’s the opportunity to embrace the lessons with humility, and make it better the next go-around.”

Now, known simply as, Tillx, Mitchell and AHG have taken many of the winning concepts that made the original the “Best Restaurant in Colorado Springs in 2018”, and scaled it down to a more concise model now located on south Tejon,

Altitude Hospitality Group presently have 10 active restaurant concepts in Colorado Springs

where it enjoys great success. Yellen describes Till as, “a variety of simple comfort foods using nothing but quality ingredients for a good price.”

Soon after, Yellen and team opened two other concepts along the south Tejon corridor, which patrons fill daily: Vine & Wheel: an upscale venue serving fine wines, cheeses, and other appetizers from around the world, and the award-winning Garden of the Gods Market & Café. This summer, Mitchell’s team will open Train Wreck (a lively bar near Weidner Field with a massive golf simulation room, a 22’ x 14’ LED screen – the largest in southern Colorado, live music, four sand volley courts, bocce ball and more-July 1), Sprig (freshly prepared, ultra-healthy, (almost vegan-centric), nourishables and shakes -July 15), Lucca (fresh, homemade pasta, authentic Italian cuisine-September 1).

Opening soon beneath Till will be The Blind Lark – an authentic, prohibition-era speak-easy inspired by New York’s, The Blue Note, opening October 2022.

In northern Colorado Springs, The Pinery North, formerly Till Kitchen, is fully reopened and has converted to a full-service, flexible event venue, that includes a concierge, top-quality food service, floral services, state-of-the-art A/V and tech-support, onsite videography and can host an intimate 20-person gathering all the way to 700+ people. The site is ideal for groups and organizations needing sizable event space for large gatherings with all the ancillary services available on site.

And that’s just the restauranteur side of Mitchell.

Mitchell owns a film production company called, Toe the Line – a reference to “leaning in and getting ready to race” - which is producing a new feature film being made based on Rebecca Nichols Alonzo’s New York Times Bestseller, The Devil in Pew Number Seven – a story about the power of forgiveness, slated to go into production in early 2023.

Two additional full length feature productions are in development with Mitchell’s core team – one about the great PGA golfer, Larry Nelson, called “Late to Great”. Those in golf circles are aware, Mr. Nelson didn’t even pick up a golf club until age 21, and went on to win ten PGA titles, including three majors, one being the 1983 U.S. Open. Mitchell’s company is also working on a feature animation piece called The Fourth Wise Man, led by highly acclaimed Animator, Jamy Wheless, whose IMDb credits include Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean, the Incredible Hulk, and Yoda from Star Wars. Jamy worked closely with George Lucas at Industrial Light & Magic on detailed character development and has agreed to work with Mitchell on this endeavor.

“My hope is to bring these kinds of projects closer to home,” states Yellen. Right now, the “incentives” associated with film production available in other states are simply better than those here in Colorado. This is something I know a lot of folks are working on with our Legislators. I look forward to joining them in their efforts to attract more projects to the region.”

Turn right down the hall of Mitchell’s mind and you’ll find his three record labels, Dream Music, Arkansas Blues, and Legend, having produced 38 albums so far in various genres.

Like a painter, Colorado Springs is a canvas for Yellen. A place where he can express his creativity.

His mediums are the development of interesting, fun, and unique gathering places where people meet and enjoy one another’s company in environments that transport them to the various places that have inspired these concepts. “I invite folks to come and experience each of these places for yourself. They all have a distinctive atmosphere where you can simply relax, enjoy a wonderfully prepared meal, meet with friends and family, and wind down from the daily grind for just a little while. It’s good for the soul,” Yellen concludes.

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