MALIAKAI
DESIGN

BLACKBELLY BUTCHER

Blackbelly Butcher began with a clear vision: create a place where guests could see, understand, and connect with the craft behind their food.

As Boulder’s only whole-animal artisanal butcher shop—and the city’s first independent retailer licensed to produce and sell its own cured and fermented meats—the space needed to support far more than a traditional meat counter. Every day, the Blackbelly team breaks down whole animals for use throughout the business, from the restaurant and butcher shop to breakfast, lunch, catering, and special events.

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The design brings that process into full view. An open kitchen allows guests to watch the butchers at work, ask questions, and experience the skill and care behind each product. The result is a space that feels active, transparent, and deeply connected to Blackbelly’s philosophy.

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That philosophy extends beyond the walls of the shop. Blackbelly works closely with local ranchers on breeding, feeding, and production practices to ensure exceptional quality from the very beginning. Produce is sourced primarily from farms located within just a few miles of the restaurant, allowing Colorado’s seasons and agricultural bounty to continually shape the menu.

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Blackbelly Butcher is more than a place to purchase food. It is a working expression of craftsmanship, responsible sourcing, and the relationship between the people who raise, prepare, and enjoy it.

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This is Blackbelly Butcher Shop 2.0.  The first butcher shop was designed back in 2016 when the Dizzy Donut space went out of business.  In 2022, the original butcher shop was thoughtfully transformed into a private dining room and catering kitchen, creating a flexible venue for chef's dinners, private celebrations, corporate events, and an expanding catering operation. The following year, we designed the new Blackbelly Butcher, providing a purpose-built home for the award-winning butcher program and continuing the evolution of one of Colorado's most celebrated culinary destinations.

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What began as our first project together became the foundation of a long-standing relationship built on trust, collaboration, and a shared passion for creating exceptional hospitality experiences.