Our Story

Black and white photo of a two-story brick building with arched windows and a central entrance with an awning, benches outside, and a sidewalk in front.

For over 20 years, Amicas has been a place where great food, local craft beer, community, and connection come together in the heart of Salida, Colorado.

The Spark That Built Amicas

Amicas has been part of the Salida community since 2002, when owner Kathie Younghans purchased the restaurant with a simple goal: to build a life in the place she loved, while creating a gathering place for others to enjoy.

Looking back, Kathie often joked, "I wasn't buying a restaurant, I was buying myself a job." What began as a leap of faith soon became something much bigger.

The restaurant's original location came with plenty of local history. Long before it became a pizza restaurant, the building had served as Salida's funeral home, which naturally inspired more than a few ghost stories over the years. Whether fact or folklore, those tales became part of the restaurant's character. Over time, however, Amicas became known for something else entirely — a welcoming atmosphere, great food, and a deep connection to the community.

For more than two decades, Amicas has supported local nonprofits, artists, musicians, and community organizations. These relationships have always been just as important as what's coming out of the kitchen. The people of Salida helped shape Amicas, and giving back has remained part of the restaurant’s mission from the very beginning.

A worker on a cherry picker cleaning the exterior window of a restaurant or cafe on a city street. The scene shows a clear sky, parked cars, and mountain range in the background.

As the restaurant grew, so did the opportunities.

In 2016, Amicas moved into its current home in the historic Gambles building, creating more space while preserving the character and spirit that guests had come to know and love.

A new chapter began in 2020 when several longtime team members joined Kathie in ownership. The transition reflected something that has always been true at the restaurant: the people who help shape this place care deeply about its future, its culture, and its connection to the community.

Sign with red and black text listing items for sale, including Gumballs, Hardware, Toys, Housewares, Sound, Furniture, and Paint, mounted on a wall with brown tiles and decorative molding.
Sign with red and black text listing items for sale, including Gumballs, Hardware, Toys, Housewares, Sound, Furniture, and Paint, mounted on a wall with brown tiles and decorative molding.

Through every change, one thing has remained constant. Amicas is, and always will be, about community. It's about gathering around a table, supporting one another, celebrating local culture, and creating a place where everyone feels welcome.

24 years later, Amicas is proud to still be serving the loyal customers and visitors who discover Salida each year. What began as one person's dream to build a life in the community she loved, has grown into something much bigger — a place shaped by great food, lasting friendships, and the people who continue to make Amicas feel like home.

Thank you for being part of the story!

Outside view of a restaurant named Amicas Pizza, with a glass window at the front and a sign above. The window has potted plants inside. The building has a brick and wood exterior, with clear blue sky above.
Outside view of a restaurant named Amicas Pizza, with a glass window at the front and a sign above. The window has potted plants inside. The building has a brick and wood exterior, with clear blue sky above.
Street scene with a pizza restaurant named 'Amicas Pizza', outdoor seating area, and a bicycle mounted on the building's wall. Mountain in the background, blue sky with some clouds.