Elevating the Food Hall Experience in Golden, CO

A Historic Landmark Reimagined

The Golden Mill, an award-winning multi-level, 15,000-square-foot food hall in Golden, CO, delivers an unmatched hospitality experience with a 56-tap self-pour wall, five food vendors, and some of the best views in the city.

Established in 1864 as a flour mill, The Golden Mill was a cornerstone of the local economy, supplying flour to mining towns like Black Hawk and Georgetown. It later transitioned into a livestock feed store in 1954, continuing to serve the community for decades. When the property hit the market in 2018, a group of passionate locals saw its potential for reinvention—preserving the building’s history while transforming it into a thriving, modern food hall that remains a hub for the Golden community.

The Challenge: Managing a High-Volume, High-Energy Venue

With five unique food vendors, two self-pour tap walls, and multiple dining areas spanning a rooftop, patio, and bar, The Golden Mill is constantly buzzing with activity. The space hosts weekly events, attracts large crowds, and operates at a fast pace, making efficiency a top priority.

To provide a seamless guest experience, The Golden Mill needed a system that would eliminate long wait times, streamline vendor operations, and allow guests to enjoy the venue without interruptions. The team also wanted a solution that would simplify revenue sharing and financial reporting across multiple independent vendors. On busy nights, the venue handles anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 open tabs at the end of the night, making it critical to have a smooth and efficient closeout process.

The Solution: GoTab’s Multi-Operator System & GoTab Pass

To meet these demands, The Golden Mill implemented GoTab’s Multi-Operator solution and GoTab Pass, an RFID-based system that allows guests to start a tab spanning all five food vendors and the self-pour taps—without having to wait in line or manually close out at the end of their visit.

For Director of Operations Brett Russell, GoTab’s adaptability has been a game-changer.

“My experience so far in two years with GoTab is that they are invested in taking customer feedback and translating it into product improvement. GoTab is the only company we’ve come across that does what they do, and it’s not something we would ever give up.”

Guests check in and receive an RFID card, which they can use to order from any vendor or pour their own drinks at the self-pour walls. As they explore the venue, all purchases are automatically added to their tab in real time, eliminating the need for multiple transactions or lengthy waits at a register. The seamless integration with PourMyBeer enables guests to pour their own beverages by the ounce, reducing guest check-in times by 50% and giving visitors the freedom to enjoy a variety of drinks, from a crisp lager to a house-made cocktail or even sake from Sushi Sora.

Mobile ordering enhances the experience even further, allowing guests to place food orders from anywhere in the venue—whether they’re on the rooftop taking in the views or relaxing on the patio. Orders route directly to the appropriate vendor, ensuring a smooth and timely preparation process. The advanced kitchen display system (KDS) and printer integrations allow vendors to manage orders more efficiently, reducing misfires and improving overall service.

At the end of their visit, guests simply drop their RFID card into a designated bucket, and their tab is automatically closed out, with a receipt sent via text. This eliminates the traditional checkout process, preventing bottlenecks and long lines at the end of the night.

Benefits

• Eliminated checkout lines and wait times – Guests can leave without waiting in line to close their tabs.
• Sales transparency for vendors and ownership – Integrated revenue sharing, rollup reporting, house fees, and payout holdbacks provide full financial clarity.
• Improved kitchen operations – Kitchen display systems (KDS) and printer integrations reduce order errors and streamline communication between front and back-of-house teams.
• Faster guest check-in – RFID integration has cut onboarding times by 50%, allowing guests to start their experience faster.

From Historic Landmark to the Future of Hospitality

The Golden Mill embodies what it means to blend history with innovation. With GoTab’s solutions, the venue has redefined food hall operations, offering a guest-centric, tech-powered experience that is both efficient and unforgettable.

Want to see how GoTab can transform your hospitality operations? Explore our Food Hall POS and Request a demo today.

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