Lala's Wine Bar + Pizzeria

The story of Lala's is rooted in Capital Hill's history. The story begins with the Boettcher Mansion, otherwise known as Governor's Mansion. Governor's Mansion was the idea of Walter Scott Cheesman who first arrived in Denver in 1861 in an ox pulled wagon. Walter Cheesman quickly became an enthusiastic and effective booster of his new city, helping to bring railroad service to Denver, and establishing the towns real estate industry.
Walter Cheesman eventually married Alice Foster Sanger. Two years later their daughter, Glady was born and from the moment he saw her, Walter was devoted to her. As a teenager Glady helped her father design what would eventually become to be know as Governor's Mansion. Unfortunately, just as construction was to begin in 1907, Walter Cheesman passed. Glady and her mother proceeded with the plans, and the result was a graceful, soaring home of three stories that soon became the envy of Denver high society. Glady and her mother would live in the house and over the years Glady Cheesman would follow in her fathers footsteps becoming a very influential socialite in the Denver community. Rumor has it that among her peers her nickname was Lala.
Mrs. Cheesman died in 1923 and the house was sold to Claude K. Boettcher, a leading western businessman. Mr. Boettcher presented the deed to his wife Edna Boettcher as a Valentine's Day present in 1924. The Boettcher's focused much of their time touring the world acquiring furnishings and art to fill the mansion.