A new restaurant is coming to downtown Durango in place of Primus.
A new small plate and oyster bar restaurant called Oye will be moving into the space at 1017 Main Ave.
Primus closed earlier this year, less than a year after the death of its executive chef, John Daly, in December 2023.
Oye owner Brandon Salisbury compared the new restaurant’s concept to a tapas bar. He said he was trying to bring something new to Durango’s downtown restaurant scene.
“There’s so much great about downtown Durango, but everybody was telling me that this was something we didn’t have,” he said.
Salisbury envisions Oye as an affordable restaurant, emphasizing that he doesn’t want any dishes to exceed $20. That stands in contrast to Primus, which featured a fine dining menu focused on wild game, with relatively expensive entrées.
“The previous spot was expensive but I’m definitely trying to be more price-conscious,” Salisbury said.
He described it as an ideal spot for small groups of two to four, emphasizing quick service. The concept centers around conversation and continuous snacking.
The restaurant is expected to employ about 10 people.
Salisbury brings years of experience in the restaurant industry, coupled with the past decade spent working in beverage distribution. The restaurant is currently undergoing renovations, but Salisbury aims to open in March. His team began working on turning over the restaurant roughly four months ago.
He’s recruiting local artists to paint the restaurant’s bottom floor, aiming to create a strong sense of community. Additionally, the restaurant will offer tiki-style cocktails.
“Basically, I’m seeing everything Durango doesn’t have and I’m doing that,” Salisbury said.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
