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INSIDE THE SHOPS THAT HAVE SHAPED CHERRY CREEK FOR 75 YEARS
GO BUFFS!
CU’s championship football team, 30 years later
HOTEL, SWEET HOME
THE ULTIMATE field guide to 80206 living
STYLE / DESIGN / DINING / PEOPLE P L A C E S / PA R T I E S / H O M E S
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E L E VAT I N G T H E
R E A L E S TAT E E X P E R I E N C E
be exceptional
U N I Q U E LY D I F F E R E N T
Susie Dews susie.dews@compass.com 303.521.9009
Compass is a licensed real estate broker in Colorado and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
be authentic
P E R F E C T LY A L I G N E D
Jeff Hendley jeff.hendley@compass.com 303.877.6767
what’s in side
CCM ON THE COVER The lady: Misa Aurelie Gardenia Dress, $410 via Perch Denver The gentleman: Harris Warf Sartorial Coolmax Seersucker Blazer, $495; Cotton by Autumn Cashmere Raglan Sweatshirt, $180; Paige Federal Slim Fit Jeans, $225; Goral The Bessemer Sneakers, $300 via Grey Salt Vail FASHIONS VIA PERCH DENVER / PERCHDENVER.COM & GREY SALT VAIL / GREYSALTVAIL.COM MAKEUP BY GINA COMMINELLO HAIR BY LAURA BENNETT THELOOKSALONDENVER.COM PHOTO BY KATIE BRADSHAW
SHOT ON LOCATION IN BELCARO AT 3125 EAST EXPOSITION AVENUE. THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND PROPERTY IS REPRESENTED BY COMPASS FOUNDING AGENT, JEFF HENDLEY. REACH HIM VIA JEFFHENDLEY.COM
34 ON THIS PAGE On the Lady: Misa Mirabelle Dip-Dye Floral Dress, $486 via Perch Denver/PERCHDENVER.COM On the Gentleman: Harris Warf London Sartorial Linen Jacket, $575; Ordean Dark Floral Shirt, $200; Paige Federal Slim Fit Jeans, $225; Goral The Bessemer Sneakers, $300 via Grey Salt Vail/GREYSALTVAIL.COM Styled by Chelsea Magness; Hair by Laura Bennett; Makeup by Gina Comminello THELOOKSALONDENVER.COM
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features
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HOMECOMING
HOTEL, SWEET HOME
AS GOOD AS GOLD
STEP INSIDE A HISTORIC BELCARO E S TAT E
S TAYC AT I O N I N G I N L U X U R Y, RESORT STYLE
C U ’ S N AT I O N A L FOOTBALL CHAMPS, 3 0 Y E A R S L AT E R
59 THE ORIGINALS
T H E B U S I N E S S E S T H AT H AV E SHAPED CHERRY CREEK FOR 75 YEARS
@CHE RRYCRE E K MAG
departments 12.
FROM THE PUBLISHERS
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THE MAKING OF A COVER
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CHERRY PICKED
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NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
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GRAZE
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MAN ABOUT TOWN
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GAL ABOUT TOWN
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WHEELS
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REMEMBER WHEN?
BE H IN D TH E S C E NE S O F O UR C OVE R S H O OT
W HAT W E’ RE CURRE NTLY COVE TING IN T HE 8 0 2 0 6
N E W S A N D NOTE S FRO M TH E STRE E TS O F C H E RRY C RE E K
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IN T HE K I TC H E N AT LO CAL J O NE S
M E E T AV R UM E L MAKIS
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C H E RRY C RE E K NO RTH ’ S J E NNY STARKE Y
T HE JA M E S B O ND ASTO N M ARTIN
OUR PA RTING TH O UG H TS
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UNIQUE {CHIC}, YO U R S I G N AT U R E S T Y L E , CUSTO M F U RN I T U RE FO R A L L .
CHERRY CREEK MAGAZINE 2443 South University Blvd.
PUBLISHER + EDITOR IN CHIEF Betsy Marr
Number 171 Denver, Colorado 80210 303.997.9749 CHERRYCREEKMAG.COM
PRESIDENT + EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kevin Marr ART DIRECTOR Craig Korn
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES kevin@cherrycreekmag.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yazmin Coveney
SUBSCRIBE VIA cherrycreekmag.com
CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR Chelsea Magness PHOTOGRAPHER Katie Bradshaw
Copyright 2020 by Marr & Company, LLC. All rights reserved. Cherry Creek Magazine is published semi-annually. Reproduction without permission of the Publisher is prohibited. Marr & Company, LLC and its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editor (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/ or advertisements contained herein. The Publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed companies and/or products that advertise in the publication or that are mentioned editorially. The Publisher assumes no responsibly for the claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised or promoted in Cherry Creek Magazine. Publisher neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser product, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein. Opinions expressed in the magazine and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher.
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The world’s economies will reopen. The services provided by Colorado’s nonprofit organizations to their communities will be more important than ever. Managing and funding a nonprofit mission will be vastly more complex. Experience is the answer.
T RY B A A RC H I T E C T S
Congratulations to Rocky Mountain Public Media, the volunteer and professional leadership, and the hundreds of donors to the Imagine Everything! $35 Million Capital Campaign on the opening of the Buell Public Media Center! The Kellogg Organization, Inc. is proud to have served as the fundraising counsel to this unique project which will benefit all the people of Colorado.
National and International Strategic Management and Fundraising Consultants to Nonprofits since 1981 550 clients = Over $2 Billion raised. kelloggorganization.com I n q u i r i e s We l c o m e d • i n f o @ k e l l o g g o r g a n i z a t i o n . c o m
CCM
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f the past few months have taught us anything, it is to hold on to what we hold dear. To appreciate what we once took for granted and, above all, to value quality, authenticity and longevity. These ideals hold true both in our lives and throughout this issue of Cherry Creek Magazine.
Take, for example, the one-of-a-kind estate featured on our cover and within our PHOTO BY KB DIGITAL DESIGNS Homecoming story (page 34). Originally built in 1928 by esteemed Denver architects Fisher and Fisher, the home was saved from demolition and painstakingly restored by a local couple with an incredible passion for art, antiques and interior design. In fact, nearly every single fixture and finish in the home was either imported from Europe’s finest markets or custom-made by artisans and craftsmen on site. In a housing market overflowing with new developments and homogenous design, the residence at 3125 East Exposition Avenue is a rare gem. One that unquestionably speaks to quality and authenticity. Or consider the dedication and desire it took 30 years ago to bring a national collegiate football championship to Colorado. In As Good as Gold (page 50), we take a look at the University of Colorado team that achieved greatness in 1990. As the school that so many Cherry Creek residents call their alma mater, revisiting the stories of endurance behind the National Champion CU Buffs was truly inspiring. In Hotel Sweet Home (page 43), we celebrate the art of the staycation through the time-honored traditions of our favorite hotels. As the world begins to re-open with caution and care, we are giving those who may be trepidatious about travel practical ideas for creating a resort-like experience from the comforts of home. Whether it’s revamping a guest room to mimic a Bahamian paradise, making the mouthwatering margarita from your south-of-the-border staple, or playing your favorite music on vinyl a la Cherry Creek’s beloved Halcyon, we have the roadmap to make your staycation extra authentic. Perhaps most notably, we are honoring Cherry Creek’s longest-standing small businesses – some stemming back an impressive 75 years. In The Originals (page 59), we sit down with the entrepreneurs whose stories define the neighborhood in so many ways. Hearing first hand what the streets we know and love were like some five, six, even seven decades ago was both fascinating and fortuitous. These local businesses have displayed unrelenting longevity and perseverance through the best and most challenging of times — COVID included. As we send this issue of Cherry Creek Magazine to press, we are celebrating a new beginning that we hold very dear indeed — the birth of our second son. In a year that has been filled with uncertainty and unprecedented change, it is a sweet sentiment that we are most certainly not taking for granted. A sign that no matter what, the beauty of life does go on. We’ll see you (albeit slightly sleep-deprived) in the fall. Gratefully yours,
Betsy and Kevin Marr
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CLOSE TO HOME, A WORLD AWAY.
Has there ever been a time when we were more in need of an escape? To hop in the car and be transported to a land that’s timeless and grand? That’s why The Broadmoor is offering the Welcome Back Family Package with rates starting at $350 per night*. Because a whole world of unencumbered freedom is exactly what we need right now. Learn more at broadmoor.com. *based upon availability, some restrictions apply
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1 LAKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906
THE LOCATION
CCM
3125 EAST EXPOSITION AVENUE IS IS REPRESENTED BY COMPASS FOUNDING AGENT, JEFF HENDLEY. READ MORE ABOUT THE EXQUISITE, ONE-OF-A-KIND ESTATE IN OUR HOMECOMING STORY (PAGE 34) AND VISIT JEFFHENDLEY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER “A stately and stunning Cherry Creekarea home was the perfect setting for our summer cover. The grounds of the property were gorgeous with plenty of lush landscaping and incredible architecture. For the cover shot itself, our two models (who are a “real life” couple!) walked hand-inhand along the property’s front path. After spending months in isolation, it was so revitalizing to be out with the team, creating something special.”
-Katie Bradshaw
“When we saw this exquisite Belcaro home, we were absolutely taken with its unmistakable beauty. More than an estate, the property is truly one-of-a-kind. Boasting a storied history, the Mediterranean Revival was originally built in 1928 by famed Denver architects Fisher & Fisher. Since then, it has seen nearly a century of change and was lovingly saved from demolition and restored to its original glory by the current owners. No detail was overlooked in the European-inspired domicile, from the 16th-century Italian stone mantle, to the handtroweled, waxed Venetian plaster on the walls of all three levels. In fact, almost every fixture in the home is an imported, bespoke antique. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to capture our summer cover on the jaw dropping grounds and even went a step further by shooting throughout the 9,000+ square-feet of uniquely stunning spaces.”
-Betsy Marr, Editor in Chief
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THE FASHION “LIFE HAS BEEN CHALLENGING FOR EVERY ONE OF US LATELY WITH MANY UNKNOWNS ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES. IT JUST FELT RIGHT TO TAKE IT BACK TO BASICS. SIMPLIFY THINGS. A LIGHT SWEATSHIRT BY AUTUMN CASHMERE WITH FITTED WHITE PAIGE JEANS FROM GREY SALT IN VAIL FOR HIM, AND SWEET RUFFLES BY MISA AURELIE FROM PERCH IN CHERRY CREEK FOR HER MADE THE LOOK CLEAN AND UNCOMPLICATED. A VERSATILE BREATH OF FRESH AIR, THESE LOOKS CAN BE WORN TO AN UPSCALE BRUNCH OR A BACKYARD BARBECUE.”
- Chelsea Magness, Senior Contributing Editor
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thelooksalondenver.com Instagram: @gina.comminello.makeup.artistry
THE BEAUTY “For the summer cover shoot, we wanted something simple and natural that readers could relate to. To go with Rachel’s pink floral sundress, we created a vibe that was beautiful but wearable for everyday life. Sheer pink lips with a stunning 3D effect and a lightweight foundation that holds up beautifully in the strong Colorado sun paired well with a subtle pop of blue along her eyes. All of this was achieved using Flaunt You! Cosmetics - a local custom cosmetics brand available at The Look. The result? Pretty in pink all summer long.”
-Gina Comminello, The Look Makeup, Skin, Hair & Flaunt You! Cosmetics
A FULL SERVICE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM S P E C I A L I Z I N G I N R E M O D E L I N G A N D C U S TO M H O M E D E S I G N C A L L A N D B O O K Y O U R C O N S U LT TO D AY A N D G E T A F R E S H S TA RT, NEW LOOK, AND LOVE YOUR NEW HOME HOME FURNISHINGS | ART | LIGHTING | BEDDING & TEXTILES | WINDOW TREATMENTS THE STREETS AT SOUTHGLENN CARLASACD.COM | 303.683.0372
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CHERRY PICKED THE 80206 FINDS WE’RE CURRENTLY COVETING
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1. Prada Woven Leather Tote Bag, $2,250 Neiman Marcus 2. Eyebobs Blanche Frames, $89 Eyebobs Cherry Creek 3. Mignonne Gavigan Aztec Fiona Hoop Earrings, $195 Neiman Marcus 4. Assouline Capri Dolce Vita Book, $95 Amazon Books
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5. Gucci Virginia Crystal-Embellished Mary Janes, $1,100 Neiman Marcus 6. Coda Studio Zeke Chair, $1,725 Coda Studio
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7. Hermès Jeu de Soie Embroidered Shawl, $7,050 Hermès
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8. Marimekko Lepatus Pleated Tunic, $350 Anthropologie 9. Tory Burch Rollerball Parfum, $30 Tory Burch 10. Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Soleste® Spessartine and Diamond Ring, $33,000 Tiffany & Co.
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1. Brunello Cucinelli Large Medallion Pocket Square, $225 Neiman Marcus 2. Boss Signature Collection Card Holder, $118 Hugo Boss 3. Brunello Cucinelli Color Block Drawstring Shorts, $875 Andrisen Morton
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4. Hermès Home Sweet H Robe, $3,150 Hermès
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5. David Donahue Silk Stripe Tie, $115 Nordstrom 6. Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Garde-Cotes, $4,600 Oster Jewelers
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7. Charvet 3cm Woven Belt, $280 Neiman Marcus 8. Peter Millar Crafty Performance Polo, $94 Peter Millar 9. Pomélo Paradis Atelier Cologne, $140 Nordstrom 10. Hermès Behapi Bracelet, $310 Hermès
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neighborhood watch
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W ELL STATE D The arrival of State & Liberty in Cherry Creek North also signals the much-needed arrival of premium dresswear for the countless physically fit gents of Denver. Whether you play for the Broncos, or you just look like you do, this new service fills a void in the Denver market. Built with a true athletic fit and crafted from stretchy performance fabric, State & Liberty features shirts, trousers, tuxedos and accessories in their mission to provide those with an athletic lifestyle the dress clothes they deserve. Store Manager Tony Jordan knows that their presence in the area is going to make a difference. “We love Cherry Creek because it has a great diverse mix of young and old, vibrant individuals that love life. They like to look good and it shows.” Pop in to their store on Fillmore Street between First and Second avenues. M
Time Zone Talk about a “Neighborhood Watch.” Cherry Creek Watch Company just opened its doors on Milwaukee Street between Second and Third avenues and timepiece aficionados across Denver are taking note. Boasting the city’s largest selection of modern and vintage pre-owned watches, Alex Grinberg and Mary Conway work closely with their customers to source rare, vintage, hard-to-find and investment grade timepieces. Having established longstanding relationships with some of the largest collectors and dealers from around the world, they offer high quality timepieces at all price points, from a sub $1,000 Omega Seamaster as a starter watch on a vintage journey, to a mid-six figure Rolex Daytona as a crown jewel in any collection. Having teamed up with the venerable jeweler and diamond expert Steve Rosdal, the company’s clients benefit from over 50 years of combined diamond and watch expertise. “I have been sourcing rare timepieces and curating collections for over 15 years and am delighted to bring our passion to the growing watch community in Denver,” Grinberg explains. Conway adds “My background in technology has given me a deep appreciation of the design, intricacy and history of the watches we sell and source for our customers.” Watch out, Cherry Creek. M
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Art felt If you’ve walked down Fillmore Street lately, then you can’t miss the public art display featuring two food service workers with angel wings wearing pandemic masks. It’s a remarkable tribute to the professions that have been so heavily affected by COVID-19. So where did the murals come from and how did they land in Cherry Creek North? Enter 31-year-old artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler. The University of Denver grad was approached by the Cherry Creek North BID to highlight and pay gratitude to the efforts of curbside delivery people, servers and grocery store attendants. “The idea was to capture this moment in time and the way the hospitality industry had to completely shift how they operate,” he explains. “Having the opportunity to do a wall in Cherry Creek was pretty special because there aren’t a ton of public murals in that neighborhood.” M
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FO O D WI T H T H OUGHT How about some heartwarming news? Denver Botanic Gardens has received additional funds from the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) and American Public Gardens Association to continue its mission in sustaining urban agriculture and community food growing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Committed to increasing access to fresh, healthy food through many community-based projects and education programs within its Urban Food Initiatives, its partnership with SAME Café is vital to fresh food access for Denver. SAME Café has quadrupled its number of meals served daily to those in need from 70 to 275, with the Gardens growing fresh produce to serve in their brick and mortar location as well as the SAME Café food truck. Meanwhile, its CSA program at Chatfield Farms that launched in 2010 provides more than 300 subscriber families with fresh, local produce. M
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botanicgardens.org / @denverbotanic IMAGE COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS / SCOTT DRESSEL-MARTIN
@CHERRYCREEKM AG
MARK M AR KEETT TO TO M MAR ARKET KET There’s There’sno nobetter betterway waytotosupport supportlocal localthan thantaking taking home homeaatreasure treasuretrove troveofofan anaward-winning award-winningmix mixofof beautiful beautifulflowers, flowers,organic organicproduce, produce,gourmet gourmetproducts, products, and and delicious delicious cuisine. cuisine. Cherry Cherry Creek Creek Fresh Fresh Market Market takes takesplace placeevery everyWednesday Wednesdaythrough throughSeptember September 30th 30thfrom from99am amtoto1 1pm, pm,and andevery everySaturday Saturdaythrough through November November14th 14thfrom from88am amtoto1 1pm, pm,located locatedjust justoutside outside ofofthe theShopping ShoppingCenter Centeratatthe thecorner cornerofofFirst FirstAvenue Avenue and and University University Boulevard. Boulevard. Pre-order Pre-order for for pick-up pick-up isis available availableororenjoy enjoycomplimentary complimentaryparking parkingasasyou youstroll strollthrough throughthe thewell-curated well-curatedmarket. market.Find Find everything everythingfrom fromspecialty specialtyroasted roastedcoffee, coffee,organic organiccherries cherriesand andsummer summertea teatotothat thatperfect perfectorchid, orchid, Himalayan Himalayansalt saltscrub, scrub,patio patioplants plantsororaasavory savorypot potpie. pie. A A VI VI E E OR OR M M coloradofreshmarkets.com coloradofreshmarkets.com / @coloradofreshmarkets / @coloradofreshmarkets
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Taco Bout It From the team behind Cherry Creek’s popular Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood – and offering daily lunch and dinner takeaway and delivery from the same location – comes Blue Tide Tacos. Blue Tide’s casual menu of SoCal-inspired fish tacos and burritos, sliders, snacks, and cocktails are the brainchild of owner Sean Huggard. “While now isn’t the ideal time to open a new restaurant, it’s a great time to provide our existing guests with something ‘fresh’ that also perfectly complements the Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood menu,” Huggard explains. “While our guests aren’t able to pull up a chair to the bar and watch their oysters being freshly shucked due to COVID-19 restrictions, we hope they’ll find something fresh and exciting in Blue Tide’s new to-go-friendly offerings – perhaps, someday, as a standalone concept as well.”
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@ CHERRYCREEKM AG
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light, fresh, vibrant tastes. I want our food to be relevant and similar to things that our guests know. They shouldn’t have to read an encyclopedia when they look at our menu.” When you do look at the menu, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a soon-to-be-launched weekend brunch, Sutcliff’s intentions are to make you want to come back for more. Eggs, proteins, breakfast burritos, homemade yogurt, gluten-free pancakes and the aforementioned in-house croissants are all at your beck and call in the morning. Dinner, however, is where Chef’s eyes really light up. Local Colorado farmers and ranchers will be paramount in the restaurant’s eye-popping dishes highlighting the likes of steak, beef, lamb, pork and elk. However, when asked about what items have him particularly enthusiastic, there were two others that stood out to Sutcliff. “My Colorado trout ‘schnitzel’ is something I’m personally excited about. We’re not beating and pounding it, but we’ll butterfly out the trout, take the head off, take the bones out, leave the tail on, bread it, deep fry it, and serve it on a potato gribiche with herbs, lemon and a beautiful cucumber salad. This dish will speak to what we do at Local Jones. It’s about the trout and these beautiful ingredients. Simple but elevated.”
CHEF JOSH SUTCLIFF LOCAL JONES IT TOOK A MERE TWO WORDS FOR LOCAL JONES TO VAULT TO THE TOP OF OUR BEST NEW RESTAURANTS LIST. CROISSANTS IN-HOUSE. Leave it to a North Carolina native who’s classically French trained to trigger our mouth to water out of the gate. Chef Josh Sutcliff, who has run elite kitchens in restaurant royalty hubs like San Francisco and, most recently, in Dallas, finds himself at the helm of Halcyon’s new signature eatery, Local Jones, and the timing is perfect. In a neighborhood brimming with food aficionados who’ve been bouncing off their respective walls as of late, getting out of the house for an unforgettable feeding is just what Dr. Anthony Fauci should be ordering.
The other anticipated course is Sutcliff’s Caesar Salad. “People like to eat Caesar Salad when they go out, and we want to be able to offer that with our spin on it,” he says with a smile. “Kale, arugula, mizuna and watercress, dressed in a Caesar dressing with parmesan cheese, croutons and fresh tarragon. It’s a nod to a classic, but with my little touch.” With Denver’s restaurant scene positioned in the upper echelon nationally, Sutcliff knows where Local Jones’ game needs to be. “The food scene here has really popped. I think it’s on the edge of being in the conversation with San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. All I can do is continue to do what these notable Denver chefs have been doing. We’re going to build a great restaurant here and it’s going to be in Cherry Creek for a very long time.” Which means a whole lot of those in-house croissants. Visit Local Jones at Halycon, a hotel in Cherry Creek. M
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localjones.com | @localjones
And that’s precisely why Sutcliff and his crew are here. “We want people to feel like they’re coming into a nice house. We want them to get to know me, the manager and the servers – a truly comfortable place for diners.” How do you that? For starters, Sutcliff will make visits to the dining room (masked and maintaining a safe distance from patrons and staff), ensuring folks are enjoying themselves. He’ll be running food frequently – something rare for a chef to do – because he’d like to be part of the whole experience as much as possible. He’s not your ordinary chef, and the menu will attest to that. The new American cuisine will feature simple profiles with premium ingredients and flawless execution. “We’re not trying to muddle any flavors,” Sutcliff explains. “We want things to be true and let the ingredients shine with
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HEADSHOT IMAGE COURTESY OF STEVEN VISNEAU
FUN for them. Good for you.
Discover how liberating your parents’ life can be at Overture. • 55+ Apartment Homes located near Cherry Creek in the new 9th & Colorado neighborhood • Life-enriching programs • Modern interior and resort-inspired amenities • Maintenance-free to enjoy life your way
Call to schedule your personalized virtual tour and move in today!
303-552-3317
Community Address 4205 E. 10th Avenue • Denver, CO 80220
Overture9Co.com
Overture is an equal housing opportunity. Amenities and services vary by location. See a Greystar representative for details.
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AVRUM ELMAKIS RISE NATION + CORNER BEET CHERRY CREEK These Air Jordans know their way around the streets of Cherry Creek. Decorating the feet of their owner, Avrum Elmakis, daily walks for the serial entrepreneur and investor are done in remarkable style. Elmakis is the CEO of Rise Nation Colorado as well as CEO and Founder of The Corner Beet Cherry Creek, neighboring businesses on St. Paul Street between East First and East Second Avenues. We wanted to learn what makes this man about town tick – so we chatted about his companies, business insights, favorite restaurants, his premium sneaker collection, thoughts on Michael Jordan and his once-in-a-lifetime dinner guests.
What is it about Cherry Creek that made it such an attractive decision to settle in with both Rise Nation and Corner Beet Cherry Creek? My wife Lauren and I fell in love with the neighborhood. As new transplants from Virginia, we felt that Cherry Creek offered amazing access to great culture and people. As for Rise Nation and The Corner Beet, Cherry Creek has the accessibility and style to accommodate both brands extremely well. Community is a big part of both Rise Nation and The Corner Beet, so Cherry Creek made perfect sense.
Do you have any favorite neighborhood haunts for coffee, lunch, cocktails, and dinner? Are there specific dishes and drinks that you enjoy? I love eating lunch at Pasta, Pasta, Pasta; Le Bilboquet and obviously The Corner Beet. I primarily have coffee at The Corner Beet or Aviano. For dinner and cocktails, we love Quality Italian, Fortune Wok to Table, and Le Bilboquet.
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What are your favorite menu items at Corner Beet Cherry Creek? I am a creature of habit. My go-to favorites are the breakfast burrito, Oat Milk Latte, the Beyond Burger and Green Go Getter Juice. I also have a soft spot for the Za’atar toast and Harvest Salad.
What does Rise Nation bring to the community that’s different from some of the other health and exercise clubs? First and foremost, efficiency. Rise Nation is a short class at only 30 minutes and is perfect for those with busy lives. It is also highly productive, burning up to 60% more calories per minute than the competition. Also, we use a vertical climbing machine, which offers an amazing full body workout without the impact or awkward positioning of other fitness concepts. The experience is second to none, our instructors are truly talented, and the studio vibe is incredible. It’s like working out in a nightclub!
man about to wn You’re known as a sneaker enthusiast. How long have you been a shoe collector and what are some of your favorites to wear? I am a passionate collector and have been for years. I think my favorites are anything from the Shoe Surgeon, Jordan IV silhouettes like Superman & Kaws, and I have recently been digging Adidas’ 4D shoes.
What are your thoughts on Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance” on ESPN? I love the documentary, I love the man, and I love a good look back at an amazing time in the NBA. I love how deep they explore the dynamics of Jordan, the team and the management. It’s a must watch for any sports fan.
Do you have any strategies on how to operate Rise Nation post-Coronavirus? There are several guidelines that we’ll be implementing at Rise Nation Colorado to ensure the safety of our members and staff, such as using no-touch thermometers on all staff and members upon entering the studio, disinfecting floor mats, strategic restriction on certain machines in our studio to ensure proper distancing, and steam cleaning and disinfecting every machine after each class. We will also be adding hand sanitizing stations throughout the studio and providing masks and gloves. Communication with members is key and no detail can be overlooked when it comes to procedure. We will abide by the social distancing guidelines of remaining six feet apart while working out with a limited number of people. I think having one machine per user is refreshing for people who are worried about touching lots of different pieces of equipment.
Do you have thoughts on how Cherry Creek will bounce back and what is necessary for a successful return to a healthy economy? Cherry Creek will bounce back. It is one of the best areas in Denver for food, shopping, and walkability. In my opinion, people will have to make individual choices when calculating their tolerance for risk. This situation is unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime, but I’m confident in the resiliency of people and I’m staying positive about the future. The easing of restrictions along with time, will allow things to gradually return to normal.
You’re assembling a dinner party. Who are your “dream” guests, celebrity or otherwise? My dream is my family. I love our four daughters and spending time with them. As far as celebrity guests, I would say Elon Musk, Howard Stern, Michael Jordan, Joe Rogan and Ray Kurzweil.
You have another project brewing called CLMBR. What is it and why are you doing it? About a year ago, I was thinking about the vertical climber as it exists today, most of which are a central monopole design. The issue with the monopole design is that if you are achieving correct form on a vertical climber, your face is literally inches away from the machine. You want an environment where you have a clear view of the instructor and lights. So, in addition to knowing that there had to be a better design, I also realized that there were no technologically advanced climbers on the market, let alone a Peloton-style machine that had a large screen and on-demand classes. And now, a little over a year later, CLMBR is coming to market. It’s the world’s first connected vertical climber with on-demand classes and an open central design. And, as of right now, the CLMBR is available for pre-order. We offer a commercial machine with a 10-inch screen and an at-home focused version with a 19-inch screen and ondemand, instructor-led classes. It’s been an amazing journey, and thankfully the machine has been very well received with a lot of interest, so we’re extremely excited about the future!
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JENNY STARKEY | CHERRY CREEK NORTH As the brains behind all things marketing for Cherry Creek North’s Business Improvement District, Jenny Starkey is constantly at the forefront of the area’s haunts and happenings. From working lunches on one of the many popular neighborhood patios to weekend hikes in the high country, we’re uncovering what makes this tour de force tick.
Most beautiful place you’ve visited in Colorado? In the world? I’ve had to hike to all of them! In Colorado: Ice Lake down south by Ouray and Silverton. In the world: Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon.
What is your favorite thing about Cherry Creek? It is a true community. Everyone here wants to be here and is invested in the area for some special reason. You can literally feel the love, passion and commitment to the community from the community when you walk down the gorgeous tree and flower-lined streets. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in a place like that, where everyone says hello and knows your name?
What most excites you about the future of the neighborhood? Despite the recent economic turmoil, Cherry Creek demonstrates an unwavering resilience. Locally owned businesses have been here for generations, they’ve survived 9/11 and the recession, now COVID, and they end up thriving. It’s that resilience that will continue to give Cherry Creek its magic, and that magic is what excites me about the future.
Favorite way to relax on a weekend? If it is raining, on my sofa with a book. If it is sunny, into the mountains with my fiancé and pup to scout out a new adventure.
Items you are coveting for Summer? Long, flowy, colorful skirts that I can wear outside on a patio.
Favorite Cherry Creek restaurant for a working lunch? How about a dinner out? I usually end up at Cucina Colore for lunch and Narrative for happy hour so my fiancé can have his all-time favorite cocktail, the Speer Boulevardier.
Five dream dinner party guests? Jimmy Fallon, Glennon Doyle, Michelle Obama, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and my aunt Cindy. She passed away some time ago, but she would be the life of this party.
Describe your personal style. My personal style is ever-evolving (especially with stay-at-home COVID orders). I love classics that I can dress up with statement jewelry pieces. If I could, I would wear an Eliza J dress or skirt to work every day. I also value comfort – I immediately change to Lorna Jane anything the minute I get home.
My dream vacation is... I have always dreamed of hiking and kayaking my way through Norway. I’d love to see the Aurora Borealis and eat copious amounts of fresh seafood!
Who is your style icon? Carolina Herrera M
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Denver’s finest selection of artisanal rugs 589 Fillmore St. Denver CO 80206 3 0 3 . 3 2 0 . 6 3 6 3 ~ w w w. s h a v e r ~ r a m s e y. c o m
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MARTIN. ASTON MARTIN. THE INCOMPARABL E CAR MAK E R FE AT UR ES FO U R JAW- D R O P P I N G M O D E LS I N T H E U P CO M I N G JA M E S BOND F IL M
James Bond is spoiled rotten. The never-ending company of gorgeous women from every corner of the globe. A tailor-made wardrobe for every occasion. Luxury suites at lavish resorts. A toy chest of one-of-a-kind, mind-numbing gadgets. A bottomless travel budget that sees him skiing in the Swiss Alps, sunning in the Bahamas, walking the canals of Venice and playing high stakes poker in Montenegro. And then there are the cars. Specifically, the Aston Martin family.
WITH THE WAY THEY PERFORM, I THINK THEY’RE PERFECT FOR A SPECIAL AGENT.
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Slated for a November release, the 25th installment of 007, No Time To Die, sees Daniel Craig flirting, in one way or another, with four flawless pieces of machinery. So, who better than Brett Suder, Aston Martin Brand Specialist at Mike Ward Automotive, to take us behind the wheel of each whip, fit for a British Secret Service Agent? Those unmistakable curves of the legendary DB5 will assuredly be front and center, appearing in its eighth James Bond film after debuting in Goldfinger back in 1964. It’s a starring role that Suder points out stemmed from a fortuitous happenstance. “Ian Fleming’s book originally featured a Bentley,” Suder explains. “Bentley was the gentleman’s car – the car of choice for your grandfather and the wealthy businessman. The movie studio, MGM, reached out to Bentley about being featured in the Bond films and Bentley said, ‘No.’ They didn’t like the idea of this drinking, promiscuous, shoot-em-up kind of guy driving their cars. It wasn’t Bentley’s image and they didn’t have a car that fit that.” Enter Dave Brown, who saved Aston Martin from bankruptcy in 1930. Aston Martin was a race car, and Brown was a bit of a playboy. MGM approached him and Brown said, “Yes.” He gave them a DB5 and told the studio to do whatever they wanted, including gold bullets, guns and gadgets. It was a perfect fit. Following Goldfinger, Aston Martin and the production team would build the cars together moving forward.
The second Aston model in No Time To Die is the V8 Saloon, similar to the one first seen in 1987’s The Living Daylights, representing both the fastest four-seat touring car of its day and Britain’s first true ‘supercar.’ Rumor has it that the audience will definitely know when the DBS Superleggera makes its debut in the film. It is said that it makes quite the entrance and, according to Suder, it should. “It’s the cream of the crop for Aston Martin. The DBS stands for ‘Dave Brown Special,” an homage to the man himself. It packs a twin turbo V12 with 700 horsepower. There are currently three models in existence – one priced at $330,000, one at $515,000, and one with pricing in between those two. At Aston Martin Denver, we have the only one in the world with the $515,000 tag.” Finally, the Valhalla is Aston Martin’s revolutionary midengine sports car, and will also make a special cameo appearance. Suder adds that there are only 500 made, all are spoken for despite still being in pre-production, and there’s a $180,000 deposit. Four on the floor for No Time To Die. Two storied brands continue the timeless man-and-machine partnership, leaving little question as to why it’s the gift that keeps on giving. “I’ve driven basically every sports car from 1975 on up,” Suder confides. “When you’re in an Aston, the amount of people on the road who respect it is unbelievable. I love the classiness of an Aston Martin. It’s a beautiful car, but it’s not a ‘showoff’ car like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren. It’s an extraordinarily expensive car, but it’s unique and it seems to be loved by everybody. With the way they perform, I think they’re perfect for a special agent.”
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That spoiled James Bond no doubt would agree.
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view master
CCM Our flat screens are in remarkable shape as of late. They’ve been getting daily workouts from social distancing-inspired binge watching.
Nowadays, it’s never too late to dive into a new series, regardless of how many seasons are already in existence. It’s easy to catch up and even easier to follow storylines when you don’t have to wait 18 months for the next season. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite escapes.
BOSCH Our newest love immediately vaulted to one of our all-time favorites. Harry Bosch is an LAPD homicide detective, based on the series of books by author Michael Connelly. Each season is a different case, replete with twists and turns while accompanied by a spectacular cast of characters, both good and evil. It’s a show that if you know, then you know. Bring it up to someone else who’s a fan, and you’re bonded for life.
Watch all six seasons on Amazon Prime
DEAD TO ME Clever. Dark. Thoughtful. Funny. It is described as a series about “a powerful friendship that blossoms between a tightly wound widow and a free spirit with a shocking secret.” We think that’s an understatement with this Laguna Beach, California-based storyline. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini have an unwanted front row seat for this roller coaster of murder, deceit and cover-up in the 30-minute dark comedy. Applegate, in particular, delivers lines and expressions that are laugh-out-loud funny.
Watch both seasons on Netflix
THE LAST DANCE It’s been referred to as a documentary on Michael Jordan. However, it’s really a biography since MJ had complete and total creative control over the entire production. Nevertheless, it’s a fascinating behindthe-scenes perspective of Jordan’s last season as a Chicago Bull and his quest to win his sixth NBA title. Its core includes Coach Phil Jackson, superstar Scottie Pippen, the vivacious wild man that is Dennis Rodman, a hated General Manager in Jerry Krause, and stories that even most insiders didn’t know. The psychological insight to arguably the greatest basketball player who ever lived and what made him tick is unprecedented. Hero or villain? You decide.
OZARK Jason Bateman is one of those actors who can do no wrong with us. We’re proud to say that this is the only show on the list that we knew about and tuned into from the beginning. To borrow a phrase from movie trailers in the 80s and the 90s, “it’s a white-knuckle thrill ride!” If you’re used to Jason Bateman in comedies, watch how his character, Marty Byrde, handles the fallout of unknowingly working with the wrong kind of people and his family’s fate of laundering money for a drug cartel in, of all places, the Lake of the Ozarks in southwest Missouri. Critically-acclaimed and always a contender during awards season, this is another alltime favorite whose plot lines will leave you constantly floored.
Watch all three seasons on Netflix
Watch all 10 episodes on ESPN
JERRY SEINFELD: 23 HOURS TO KILL God forbid we include some true comedy among the mass of these thrillers and dramas. Seinfeld addresses the audience perfectly with a simple question, “You and I know each other on a certain level for many, many years. You know for a fact…I could be anywhere in the world right now. Now you be honest. If you were me, would you be up here hacking out another one of these?” One of the all-time kings of comedy adds another chapter with his take on everyday life, uncovering comedy in the commonplace.
Watch the comedy special on Netflix
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PORTRAITURE | FASHION | LIFESTYLE www.joefriendphotography.com
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In a market rich with realtors, Ann Kerr stands out from the pack. And while her sales record speaks for itself, (Ann is recognized as one of Denver’s top producers and has been named to the Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate) she’s anything but a salesperson, believing instead in the power of relationships. “I’m not very good at ‘selling’ per se – my view on brokerage is that my role is to help my client make the best buying or selling decision relying on my expertise, which may or may not result in a sale in the short term,” the long time Cherry Hills Village resident reveals. “I’m in it for the long haul and as a friend and neighbor to many of my clients, I value these personal relationships.” Indeed, her more than twenty-year tenure in the industry reflects the type of staying power that can only be achieved through honesty, integrity and unrelenting authenticity.
What’s more, when you hire Ann, you get Ann. “I answer phone calls and emails directly. It’s extremely important to me that I take responsibility for knowing every detail of every transaction,” she attests. A notion that may seem simple, but in a thriving market such as Denver’s, one that is far too often not the case. “There are so many ‘experts’ in the media providing misleading information which cannot be universally applied across the board to every home sale,” she explains. “A broker who has experience in your area and has been selling real estate through many market cycles can give the best advice on selling your home to the right buyer for the right price.” It’s this type of honesty and expertise that has made Ann not only a real estate leader, but a community leader as well. In fact, she has served on countless boards and committees including the Cherry Hills Village Planning and Zoning Commission, The John Lynch Foundation, University of Oklahoma Alumni Association, Swim Across America, the Cherry Hills Village Elementary School Accountability Committee, PIVOT, the Colorado Lacrosse Foundation, US Lacrosse and the University of Denver Lacrosse, and the Denver Ballet Guild.
I’m in it for the long haul and as a friend and neighbor to many of my clients, I value these personal relationships. Ann most definitely walks the walk, enlisting a wide variety of tools and programs for both buyers and sellers. “No two clients and no two homes are alike. I like to approach each listing from a fresh perspective, engaging my wide network of contacts and a wide variety of strategies – whether it’s a wine tasting event at a new listing or an article in a local publication – to sell a home.” This creativity, coupled with tried-and-true knowledge and a stellar reputation, serves her clients extremely well. “To be successful in any kind of real estate market, you must start with the needs of your clients, always be committed to those needs and utilize your experience to the maximum,” she finishes.
ANNKERR AnnKerr.com
303.818.8668 AKerr@Kentwood.com
A Columbine Valley Gem 31 Brookhaven Lane Littleton, CO 80123 4 Bedrooms | 6 Bathrooms 7,552 Square Feet | Half-Acre Lot Offered at $1,937,500
Originally the custom home of the builder of Brookhaven, this meticulously updated and maintained estate home is sure to impress with top of the line craftsmanship and custom finishes throughout. Enter through double doors to an open living and dining area with 14 foot ceilings and views of the gorgeous backyard. This home is main floor living at its finest with a main floor master with sitting room, fireplace and huge walk-in closet. With high ceilings, the partially unfinished basement is a rare opportunity to design the media area and mother-in-law suite of your dreams. The basement is already plumbed for an additional bathroom and kitchen. Stunning outdoor entertaining area adjacent to a greenbelt has a covered patio with optional sun shade, peaceful water feature, multiple dining and seating areas and a gorgeously landscaped half acre. Brookhaven is a pristine and tranquil boutique walking and golf cart community mere minutes from Columbine Country Club and Downtown Littleton.
A Cherry Hills Charmer 4153 S. Eudora Street Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms 5,584 Square Feet | 0.59-Acre Lot Offered at $1,595,000
Set back off the street, this lovely and tranquil walk out ranch is move in ready. Thoughtful updates and tons of usable space throughout make it a dream for the active family. This sprawling home has a rare main floor master with two additional bedrooms and an office. An open kitchen, family room and breakfast nook overlook the beautiful and quiet backyard with a covered deck for entertaining. With more than half an acre of mature trees and fenced backyard space, this home feels like a private oasis where you can escape and entertain to your heart’s delight.
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BESPOKE IN BELCARO WOR DS BY BE TSY M A RR / PH OTO S BY T ERI F OT H ERIN G H A M
In 1928, there was no name more prestigious when it came to Denver architecture than Fisher & Fisher. Known for the vast majority of the city’s distinguished structures at the time, the firm was considered la crème de la crème. It came as no surprise, then, when heiress Florence Kountze Best (of local banking prominence and, more notably, Mayflower fame) commissioned Fisher & Fisher to build her stately home in the tony Belcaro enclave. Best worked closely alongside the team to ensure every detail was flawless, drawing her inspiration from other nearby buildings including Polaris and Park Hill Elementary schools. Fast-forward some 80 years to 2008, and, sadly, the once regal home had fallen into disrepair. Given its highly desirable location, it was set to be demolished at the hands of developers who intended to build four modern dwellings on the single acre lot. While the homes would indeed be opulent, their plans lacked character and would have completely erased the estate’s storied past. With the help of Historic Denver (the same organization that once saved Molly Brown’s home from demolition) a Texas couple with a passion for antiques and architecture was able to stop the demo and rescue the Mediterranean Revival at 3125 East Exposition Avenue as their own.
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Over the next three years, the homeowners worked with a team of highly skilled craftsmen to not only restore the residence, but to bring it to previously unimagined heights. Avid antique collectors and art lovers, the pair traveled to Europe to source pieces for every single room. A violinist by trade, a designer and architect by heart, the lady of the house worked tirelessly to ensure each detail in the 9,000 square-foot space was visually stunning and innately authentic. A painstaking labor of love, the six-bedroom, five-bathroom home is now reminiscent of an 18th century art and textile museum (albeit a very comfortable one) - a far cry from the cookie-cutter new builds intended for the parcel a decade ago. Upon entry, it becomes evident that the home is like no other – there’s no sheet rock or drywall to be found. Instead, every wall is crafted from waxed Venetian plaster, meticulously applied over the original triple layers of brick. Flooring is a feat in and of itself, with each surface being at least 300-years-old. French oak, limestone and European tile are showcased throughout, as are inlaid Azulejos wall tiles in areas such as the kitchen, breakfast nook and swimming pool. Each, of course, was hand selected for
The estate was originally built in 1928 for banking heiress Florence Kountze Best by famed architecture firm Fisher & Fisher. Left: The home boasts a stately Mediterranean Revival design. Its present owners rescued it from demolition and lovingly restored it with the utmost attention to detail. BELOW: Situated on almost an acre of land adjacent to Polo Club, the property is framed by lush landscaping and brick walls, a gated circular drive, sweeping gardens, and a pool and fountains with multiple terraces for entertaining. BOTTOM: Rich in architectural design, the home features venetian plaster walls, restored windows, hand forged railings and door hardware, 2.5-inch-thick solid walnut doors, and reclaimed French kiln-dried oak hardwoods and limestone floors. OPPOSITE PAGE:
“Avid antique collectors and art lovers, the homeowners traveled to Europe to source pieces for every single room.�
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the space in which it sits. What’s more, nearly every light fixture in the home is an antique, each more ornate and interesting than the last. Instead of a contractor or handyman as one might expect, a blacksmith worked on-site for the project’s entirety, reconfiguring the 18th-and 19th-century iron doors and creating custom windows when the originals couldn’t be salvaged. Even the kitchen sink has a story – it was originally part of an 18th-century French silk factory. Five beautifully restored fireplaces appoint the estate, as does a remarkable subterranean level that is fit for a king. A custom bar with commercial grade equipment, bricked arches and four taps appoints the space, the centerpiece of which is a hand carved, classical interpretation of God, who is seemingly reaching for a nearby Guinness. Also in the space sits a 9-foot antique billiards table, theatre style seating and a 4,000-bottle wine cellar. Outdoors, the entertainer’s paradise continues to abound with terraced patios, a swimming pool and multiple lounge areas all complemented by lush, park-like landscaping. While the estate is indeed opulent, it is surprisingly livable. A spacious master closet is more reminiscent of a luxury contemporary abode than a 1928 dwelling, and the outdoor areas reflect family living with spaces that are ideal for limitless games and family fun. Indoors, white walls, black windows and unique yet neutral flooring allow the home to be customized to a variety of tastes.
3125 East Exposition Avenue is represented by Compass Founding Agent, Jeff Hendley. Learn more via JeffHendley.com or 303.877.6767.
TOP: The homeowner is a violinist by trade, a designer and architect by heart as well as an avid antique and art collector. Each room’s furnishings and finishes were hand selected and meticulously sourced from Europe’s finest markets. ABOVE: The kitchen is a gourmand’s delight featuring antique white oak beams, Portuguese antique deft murals, 18th century waxed limestone counters and a Lacanche French stove with 7 burners and 2 ovens. AT LEFT, ABOVE: A 16thcentury Italian stone mantle appoints one of the home’s five fireplaces, two of which are wood-burning. AT LEFT, BELOW: A walkout basement is a gentleman’s dream showcasing two brick fireplaces, a full custom walnut bar with four commercial grade taps, a temperature controlled wine cellar, exercise room, 3/4 bath with steam shower, office with built-in desk, and theatre room.
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LEFT: The interior and exterior iron doors were hand-forged by a blacksmith who also created the iron door straps, square nails, iron hooks, and wall sconces. ABOVE: One of several upstairs bathrooms boasts a stunning copper tub complemented by an antique vanity, mirror and stunning light fixtures. BELOW: The one-of-a-kind dining room features Versailles de Parquet flooring created in Louis IV style of oak and walnut bordered with a surround of the French reclaimed antique oak.
@CHERRYCREEKM AG
BECAUSE THE CURRENT HOMEOWNERS’ DESIGN CHOICES WERE SPECIFIC TO THIS PROPERTY, MANY OF THE ANTIQUE FIXTURES WILL REMAIN FOR THE NEW OWNERS TO ENJOY.
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Stunning Mediterranean-Revival in the Heart of Cherry Creek North
An Ideal Family Home in Cherry Hills Village North
475 M a di son St reet Of fered a t $4, 200, 000 5 Bedrooms | 8 Bathrooms | 7,094 Square Feet
53 1 0 N a s s a u C ircle Ea s t O f fe r e d a t $ 1 , 9 9 5 , 0 00 5 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 6,666 Square Feet
Luxury Living and Unmatched Views at The Landmark
One of the Last Remaining Lots in Buell Mansion
5455 L a n dm a rk P l a ce, U n i t 809 Of fered a t $1, 575, 000 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,385 Square Feet
2 Rave n swo o d R oa d , C h e rr y Hi l l s Vi l l a ge O f fe r e d a t $ 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 00 2.56 Acre Lot
Liv Sotheby’s International Realty 8000 E Belleview Ave. #200 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.929.9001 rochelle.mcnaughton@livsothebysrealty.com www.rochellemcnaughton.com
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FOR THE SALE Today’s buyers are discerning and designdriven, making it more important than ever for a home to be not only inviting and attractive, but also up-to-date before it hits the market. With simple changes and the right design choices, your home can sell for maximum profit.
Cheerful Furnishings We are all spending more time in our homes than ever before and as such, our spaces need to make us feel good while also looking good. Bright, colorful furnishings that elevate your mood are seeing a huge surge in popularity. They’re fun and full of punch. Photo Courtesy Roche Bobois
Metal Windows
Boho Style
Blue Accents
Traditional wood windows are going by the wayside in place of iron and metal iterations in black or dark gray. They are chic, durable and exude an industrial vibe without feeling too cold or unwelcoming.
Likewise, our homes need to be comfortable and livable. Boho accents – think faux fur ottomans, cozy daybeds, plenty of pillows and tribal rugs – are all interesting to the eye yet soothing to the soul.
Photo Courtesy Emily Henderson
Photo Courtesy House Beautiful
Every room can benefit from a pop of color, and hints of blue have become de rigueur. Navy, Aqua, Cerulean and Cobalt are all trending. Try blue on an accent chair, wall, or even as woodwork trim and your space will feel both soothing and refreshed. Photo Courtesy Architectural Digest
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The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop is Denver’s newest hotel in the heart of Cherry Creek, the city’s iconic fashion district. As the The Jacquard HotelHotel & Rooftop is Denver’s newest hotelhotel in the of Cherry Creek, the city’s iconic fashion district. As the The Jacquard & Rooftop is Denver’s newest inheart the heart of Cherry Creek, the city’s iconic fashion district. fabric of the neighborhood, the hotel weaves together a location in the most walkable neighborhood with distinguished hospitality, fabric of the neighborhood, weaves together a location the most walkableinneighborhood with neighborhood distinguished hospitality, As the fabric ofthe thehotel neighborhood, the hotel weaves in together a location the most walkable providing an experience that “Altogether Cherry Creek.” Cherry Creek.” with distinguished hospitality, providing anis that is “Altogether providing an experience that isexperience “Altogether Cherry Creek.” Discover inspired carefully providetoan experience like no other. andfood drink award-winning Discoverevents, inspired events, curated carefullyto provide an experience like noEnjoy other.storied Enjoy food storied andat at Discover inspired events, carefully curated tocurated provide an experience like no other. Enjoy storied food and drink atdrink award-winning on site restaurant, narrative. Sip and savor at Kisbee on the Roof, punctuated by unobstructed panoramic views of the Rocky award-winning on site restaurant, narrative. Sip and savor at Kisbee on the Roof, punctuated by on site restaurant, narrative. Sip and savor at Kisbee on the Roof, punctuated by unobstructed panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains Denverand skyline. unobstructed panoramic views ofand theDowntown Rocky Mountains Downtown Denver skyline. Mountains and Downtown Denver skyline. 222 milwaukee street denver, colorado 80206 222 milwaukee street• TheJacquard.com denver, colorado 80206 303.515.2000 303.515.2000 • TheJacquard.com
, Hotel Sweet Home
BY BETSY MARR
While the state of the world has put a temporary halt on our collective travel plans, it needn’t squelch the wanderlust spirit entirely. From the perfect cocktail served poolside, to the linens that prompt a restful night’s sleep, to the sweet treats that we can’t live without and the décor that inspires our senses, these nods to our favorite resorts will make you feel like every day is a holiday. Our tips for bringing the hotel home will carry you through this season and beyond.
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L A S V E N TA N A S A L PA R A I S O
Cocktails in Cabo Montage Los Cabos Los Cabos, Mexico
There’s a lot to love about Montage Los Cabos – the latest jewel in the luxury hotel brand’s proverbial crown. Over the top spa? Check. Five-star dining? Check. Opulent rooms? Check. But our Montage memories go straight to the resort’s mouthwatering signature welcome cocktail. Sure, anyone can mix up a margarita with relative ease, but Montage’s iteration – infused with hibiscus - does so in a way that’s perfectly balanced with just the right kick. And while now may not be the time to fly south of the border, you can get your fix from the comforts of home with the previously unpublished in-house recipe. Splash of Lime Juice ½ ounce Mezcal Spiced simple syrup (we like Sir Winston’s) Basil, muddled Hibiscus infusion (use Hibiscus tea in a pinch) Combine all ingredients, shake well. Pour into a glass rimmed with Tajin Powder. More via montagehotels.com/loscabos
THE BREAKERS RESORT
Off the Walls
The Breakers Resort Palm Beach, Florida The oldest and most genteel of the hotels that dot Palm Beach’s picturesque coastline, The Breakers has been opening its idyllic doors to the well-off and wellheeled since 1893. Spanning 140 acres, the property boasts a full half-mile of private beach access that sets the stage for the grand and deeply storied resort. From the coastal chic décor of the recently-renovated accommodations to the legendary brunch menu, there’s nary a detail that we wouldn’t want to take home with us. In particular, we are fans of the wall coverings that appoint the resort’s stylish guest rooms. The handiwork of esteemed textile house Thibaut, the paper is the familiar Julien design in a series of custom colorways exclusive to The Breakers. You can choose the same pattern in a similar hue for your own home – the Denver Design District carries the wares. Each roll retails for $187-$245. More via thebreakers.com
M O N TAG E L O S C A B O S
Pattern Play
Las Ventanas al Paraiso Los Cabos, Mexico There are some places that forever ingrain themselves on your soul. Las Ventanas al Paraiso is one such place. With a timeless, chic and unquestionable sense of luxury, this property stands tall amongst the crowded Los Cabos pack. From the décor to the dining and everything in between, there is one common thread within the resort – authenticity. Beginning with the greeting upon entry to the posh resort, thoughtful touches abound. One such example? The Otomi linens seen across the palatial property. In fact, there’s nothing dreamier than dreaming in style and the hand-embroidered Otomi linens are not only colorful, but exquisitely crafted as well. Reflective of hundreds of hours of handwork by the Otomi tribes in central Mexico, the traditional linens depict ancient symbols of flora and fauna. Throughout Las Ventanas (arguably Cabo’s most luxurious respite), you’ll notice the pattern on everything from duvet covers to restaurant menus. A perfectly curated on-property boutique retails the stunning wares, but they’re readily available online as well. Pick up an accent pillow or table runner and bring a little piece of paradise home with you. More via rosewoodhotels.com/lasventanas
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THOUGHTS FROM THE PROS
T H E B E V E R LY H I L L S H O T E L
Pink and Greens
The Beverly Hills Hotel Beverly Hills, California There are some instances where a salad is much more than a salad. It’s a cultural icon. So it goes with the McCarthy – the most popular item on the famed Polo Lounge’s menu at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Don’t dare call it a Cobb – The McCarthy is in a category all its own. In fact, the salad is almost as famous as the restaurant where it was first served. Legend states that Neil McCarthy was a regular guest at The Beverly Hills Hotel and captain of a local polo team in the 1940s. One day, he requested a very specific list of ingredients for a salad. With that, The McCarthy was born and the recipe has remained untouched since.
FOR THE SALAD
¼ head iceberg lettuce ½ head romaine lettuce ½ cup diced, grilled chicken ½ cup diced, roasted red beets ¼ cup egg yolk ¼ cup egg white ½ cup finely diced aged cheddar cheese ½ cup applewood-smoked bacon ¼ cup diced tomato ¼ cup diced avocado FOR THE DRESSING
1 cup balsamic vinegar 1 shallot 1 tablespoon brown sugar 3 cloves roasted garlic 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Salt and black pepper to season Canola oil Artfully arrange the salad ingredients in a bowl. Place the dressing ingredients in a blender and drizzle in the canola oil to emulsify. Add the dressing and enjoy!
“The future of travel will be intimate, and even more meaningful. The trends we are seeing are intentional in regards to group sizing, to the people you encounter, and naturally, an intentional focus on cleaning. Additionally, travel will feel smaller and more intimate. Crowds will be limited, entrance numbers will be regulated and private experiences with your travel companions will become the norm. In the quest to provide for proper social distancing, instead of looking for quantity, companies will be forced to focus on quality not only in the products they deliver but in the practices you will encounter. In the short term we see a strong renewed interest in domestic travel. Travelers are looking to connect to their roots and spend quality time with their families outside of the house in open spaces. There are incredible resorts across the U.S. that have always provided transformative experiences, but with the draw to visit foreign countries, travelers have often put domestic destinations on the back burner in the past. Now, domestic hotels and resorts are seeing the greatest demand in history. There is so much to see right in our own backyard that the shift is, in many ways, refreshing.” -Leah Smith, Tafari Travel More via tafaritravel.com
Safety has always been a concern for discerning travelers. But amidst the global pandemic and rising cases of Covid-19, travel enthusiasts and purveyors of tourism have implemented new measures to ensure the enjoyment isn’t forgotten. The ultra-luxury travel industry has been able to remain consistent in their already perfected approach to providing quality. “Safety will always be one of our top priorities,” says Blair Wilson, Founder of The Luxe Collective. “But today we have to ensure that social distancing guidelines are met for our guests as well as our staff.”
The ultra-luxe client has upgraded their preference from shorter stays at large resorts to longer visits at private villas, estates, and chalets. The other noticeable shift has been in multi-gen family trips, where ‘family-pods’ can travel safely together; gathering at larger villas allows a better opportunity to isolate and maintain a more controlled setting. The Luxe Collective provides world-class amenities at each of their properties such as private chef & butler, invilla spa services, and detailed itineraries for each guest. (All services providers are vetted and screened for health and safety). Bookings remain consistent, especially for the holiday season as families look to the future to gather and celebrate. -Blair Wilson, The Luxe Collective More via theluxecollective.com
More via beverlyhillshotel.com
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R I T Z - C A R LT O N
Political Pastries
Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC A luxe oasis in the heart of our nation’s bustling capital, Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC welcomes guests from all walks of life in the grandest of fashions. A favorite haunt for dignitaries and diplomats, the hotel is situated in the tony West End and, while rooted in a deep and storied history, exudes a sense of contemporary sophistication at every turn. Naturally, there are nods to the property’s locale throughout. Our favorite is the ever-changing display of “Presidential Cookies” for guests to enjoy upon check-in. A thoughtful collection of sweet treats depicts favorite recipes of both presidents and first ladies past and present. From Barack Obama’s white and dark chocolate chip combo to Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Sugar Cookies, every flavor in the bunch is a victor.
SOFITEL HOTELS & RESORTS
JFK’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES INGREDIENTS
8 ounces butter 8 ounces brown sugar 10 ounces white sugar 1 ounce vanilla extract 4 each large eggs 3 1/2 pounds large chocolate chunks 12 ounces all purpose flour 1/2 ounce baking soda 1/4 ounce salt
Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide
Preheat oven to 325°F. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy in a stand mixer. Add the eggs one at a time until completely blended into the batter. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl and add your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt). Continue to mix the batter. Add the remaining items and mix until fully combined. Portion cookies and place 2” apart on a cookie sheet that is greased or lined with baking paper. Bake at 325°F until golden brown.
The Parisian-born Sofitel hotels exude a certain sense of Joie de Vivre that only a French brand truly could. With properties in the chicest urban centers across the globe, the boutique hotelier has become known for its spot-on style, understated luxury and fashion-forward aesthetic. Case in point? Its collaborations with couture designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Lacroix, whose wares appoint Sofitel guest rooms in touches such as robes, accessories and textiles. However, the brand is perhaps best known for its uber comfortable, ultra chic beds and bedding. Guests all seem to leave with one cohesive thought – that they had arguably the best sleep of their life during their Sofitel stay. Fortunately, one can truly bring the hotel home in this case. Softiel has an entire secondary website – sofitelboutique.com – whereby it retails its wares, beds and linens included. The Sofitel Bed is so touted that the company has even trademarked its name, offering box spring and mattress duos for purchase (expect to pay upwards of $2,400 for a King) along with the hotel’s signature bedding set (roughly $2,000 for 20 pieces), allowing guests to recreate their Sofitel sleep experience night after night in their own homes.
More via ritzcarlton.com/washington_dc
More via sofitel.com
P R E PA R AT I O N
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F O U R S E A S O N S S A N TA BA R BA R A | C O R A L C A S I N O
BRUSH CREEK RANCH
Light My Fire
The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch Saratoga, Wyoming When a property is heralded by the likes of Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes and Travel and Leisure as the nation’s best, one most certainly takes note. Set in the serenity of Saratoga, Wyoming, The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch deserves its many accolades. From the quintessentially western architecture that blends itself with a contemporary edge, to the majestic rock formations that meet the eyes at seemingly every turn, the resort is, in a word, special. A working cattle ranch where “work” is the furthest thing from a guest’s mind, Brush Creek is an ultra private escape that caters to every type of traveler. For most, a highlight of their visit is the aptly named Cowboy Cookout. Guests are transported to a remote creekside clearing and welcomed with whiskey cocktails, a roaring fire, decadent hors d’ oeuvres and a live country music band before sitting down to a meal of upscale barbeque. Afterwards it is customary to nestle up to a roaring campfire for dessert – a Brush Creek tradition that can easily be celebrated from the comforts of home. In true rustic luxury, this is not your average campfire. We love the elevated twists that the ranch’s iteration includes. For the requisite S’mores, replace the expected chocolate bar with an organic peanut butter cup instead. It’s a treat that is so simple, yet so deliciously decadent that you’ll never go back. To ward off that evening chill, cozy up with a blanket – but not just any throw will do. We love the posh Pendleton blankets used by the Ranch. In fact, the legendary Oregon woolen mill makes a pattern specifically for Brush Creek Ranch. A detail we most certainly noticed and adored. More via brushcreekranch.com
PHOTO BY GRAY MALIN
Pool Party
Four Seasons Santa Barbara Biltmore Resort | Coral Casino Montecito, California The striped umbrellas are perfectly positioned alongside clear blue swimming pools as though Old Hollywood is calling their name. In the distance, waves crash along the pristine beaches as the crisp coastal breeze blows through the air. Welcome to the casual sophistication that is The Four Seasons Santa Barbara Biltmore Resort. Originally built in 1927 as part of the Biltmore Hotels collection, the 22-acres of Spanish style architecture have played host to many a starlet looking for a private respite. From Rock Hudson to Ronald Reagan, the resort was and remains a playground for those wanting to unwind in anonymity. Situated adjacent to Monarch Beach (the coastline’s most coveted), the property boasts Spanish Colonial character at its very best. Venture across the perfectly manicured street and the Coral Casino opens up a world of vintage charm. Dating back to 1937, the private beach and cabana club holds court as the area’s toniest, with an Olympic-size pool and 200-plus lounge chairs whose views of the Pacific are as stunning as the starlets that have called the club home. Its name, derived in part from the beachside location, is not indicative of a gaming institution but rather a word (casino) that was more widely used eight decades ago to mean a gathering place or social hotspot. It’s old world glamour at its very best, with more character than you could shake a Mai Tai at. Inside, Tydes restaurant dishes up inspired fare and tasty cocktails with the views to match, along with walls covered in Coral Casino history. One will easily spot Lana Turner, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn’s images amongst the bunch. For most, it’s a setting that can only be viewed from the outside looking in. For guests of Four Seasons, Coral Casino access is a welcomed privilege. And while true, a visit to the American Riviera may not be in the cards this year, why not draw your own poolside inspiration from the Santa Barbara oasis? From a vintageinspired umbrella with scalloped trim (we love the selections from e-tailer One Kings Lane) to modestly cut one-pieces and swim caps, there are plenty of ways to channel the Coral Casino in your own backyard. Our favorite, however, is through the art of renowned photographer Gray Malin. Known for his familiar aerial shots of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Malin switched gears in 2018 and took to sea level where he brilliantly captured the allure of the Coral Casino in a special series. Consisting of 27 distinctive shots, pieces range from $300 to $3,000. More via coralcasinoclub.com and graymalin.com
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T H E B R O W N PA L AC E
For the Record
The Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek Denver, Colorado From the check-in counter that is more reminiscent of the kitchen in a sleek new abode than a hotel lobby, to the cheeky doormats that appoint the entry of each guest room, the atmosphere at the Halcyon in the heart of Cherry Creek North is “home away from home.” And while that home is indeed a bit cooler than any dwelling most of us will ever call our own, the vibe is very much intentional. The property wants its guests to feel comfortable, relaxed and inspired – a notion that can be seen in the little things. We love the fact that each room is equipped with a vintagestyle record player and vinyl collection for visitors to enjoy. For VIP guests, Halcyon takes it a step further by finding out the visitor’s preferred genre of music and, in some cases, their favorite artist, and fills the room with records to suit. After all, there’s something special about hearing a song on vinyl and the hotel does the art form proud. Recreate the vibe in your own home with a turntable (we love the Crosley Voyager, $90 at Pottery Barn) and a well-curated record collection (Urban Outfitters and Target carry a nice selection). More via halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com
THE HALCYON
All Abuzz
The Brown Palace, Denver, Colorado From its historic allure as Denver’s oldest and most esteemed hotel to its reputation as the city’s finest and most elegant property, the Brown Palace is much more than a respite – it is a landmark that remains deeply rooted in luxury more than 125 years after its opening in 1892. Known as the “Grand Dame” of downtown Denver, the 241-room hotel has played host to luminaries and cultural phenoms both past and present – The Beatles, Katherine Hepburn, Harrison Ford, Pearl Jam, Taylor Swift and nearly every president since Theodore Roosevelt have called The Brown their home away from home while in the Mile High City. Beloved for its beauty that hearkens back to days gone by just as much as it is for its service, dining options and plentiful modern amenities, the property boasts four on-site restaurants (Palace Arms, Churchill Bar, Ship’s Tavern and Ellyngton’s) along with its famed Afternoon Tea in the stunning eight story lobby. In fact, guests make reservations months, sometimes even years in advance, to enjoy the traditional English tea service. Specially commissioned Royal Doulton bone china graces each tea table, along with engraved silver teapots. House-made scones are served with Devonshire-clotted cream shipped in from England, alongside savory tea sandwiches, and a decadent selection of classic and chocolate tea pastries. Naturally, champagne is available if you’re so inclined – the perfect complement as you enjoy the sounds of The Brown’s famed lobby pianist who will tickle the ivories as you sip and savor. And while the hotel is ensconced in history and tradition, it enjoys all of the trappings of any of its more modern contemporaries. In 2015, each and every guest room and suite underwent a $10.5 million renovation, equipping the centuries-old rooms with amenities reminiscent of a 21st century hotel. What’s more, recent years saw the entrée of a luxury spa and salon. Encompassing two floors, the 5,200 square foot luxury spa retreat offers a private couples suite with a dual reclining hydrotherapy tub; six massage and skin treatment rooms; separate men’s and women’s locker rooms with relaxation areas; Swiss showers; steam rooms with aromatherapy; and a nail and hair salon. The Spa touts custom treatments specifically designed for Colorado’s climate, like special soaks that draw from the natural artesian well located 750 feet beneath the hotel. What’s more, a signature Brown Palace Honey Lavender product line features honey produced on the hotel’s rooftop. That’s correct – the hotel’s rooftop. While past guests have included royalty, the hotel has its own resident queen…five of them, actually. The property is the first hotel in Denver to nurture a colony of rooftop bees. Five hives, each with its own clever name, including “Buzzingham Palace,” are maintained by a dedicated Palace beekeeper. The honey is then used in the aforementioned line of sweet smelling spa products and in-room amenities as well as in afternoon tea, seasonal recipes and cocktails, and in a unique Brown Palace craft beer. Guests can channel their Brown Palace spa experience at home with the product collection, which is available for purchase at the property’s retail boutique. More via brownpalace.com
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when you're ready to leave the noise behind...
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As
Good as
Gold Thirty years ago, the best college football team in the world was in Boulder, Colorado. Here’s how it happened. Words by Kevin Marr Photos Courtesy of CU Sports Information
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T
This sadistic Texas heat was on the verge of destroying some of the best college football players on the planet. If the Colorado Buffalo football team was a prize fighter, it would be on the ropes with their corner man clenching the towel on this blistering September evening 30 years ago. Already up 19-14 going into the fourth quarter, the Texas Longhorns were moving the football towards another score in Austin, and the Buffs’ defense was struggling for answers. “We were beat down tired,” Alfred Williams begins with a matter-of-fact tone, reminiscing from his home outside Denver. The former First Team All-American linebacker and Butkus Award winner rarely found himself and his teammates on the wrong side of a fight during those glory days in Boulder. However, a burnt orange hue of over 77,000 at Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium was one quarter of football away from witnessing their beloved program perform its own version of Texas Hold’em on this Colorado powerhouse. Think about it. If a Houston native like Williams thinks it’s hot, how truly deteriorating were the conditions? “It was a stagnant heat,” Williams continues. “It was unbearable. Our hands were on our hips. Texas was driving on us and it was a breaking moment for us on defense. Then I look to the sideline and I see Eric Bieniemy jumping up and screaming, ‘Come on! Stop ‘em!’ Before I know it, Eric’s got the entire offense walking out to the defense during the end of the third quarter telling us, ‘Come on, man! Get the win! Get the win! Let’s stop them!” If the Horns find the end zone on this drive, Coach Bill McCartney’s squad can more than likely kiss a shot at the national championship goodbye. However, if Coach Mac’s defense can hold them to a field goal, then there’s still hope for a team who started the season 1-1-1.
David Plati, now in his 36th year as Colorado’s award-winning Sports Information Director, was at the game. “I’m in the press box, so I couldn’t hear what Bieniemy said, but it seemed like he gave one of the quickest and most inspirational speeches in the history of the game.”
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Alfred Williams: “In that moment, when it felt like all the chips
were stacked against us and we’re playing against competition that was worthy of a national championship, that’s how our national championship was built. There was no other moment that signified it than Bieniemy and the entire offense cheering the defense on and expecting us to get off the field and get it done. That was the seminal moment at the University of Colorado.” Bieniemy, the Buffs’ First Team All-American running back and Heisman Trophy Finalist that season, is humbled when he hears about Williams’ praise for his rallying cry against Texas. “That says a lot coming from Al,” he begins. “I remember that moment and it was one of those deals where it wasn’t anything rehearsed. Our defense at that particular time seemed to be struggling and I just went over there and said, ‘Hey! You guys get the stop and then we’re going to get the ball and take it down the field and score. OK? Just make the stop and give us the ball.’ But what makes that moment in time so special is that we had a bunch of guys on that team who played the previous year who felt that we let each other down by not finishing the job (losing to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl). I wanted to remind the team that day that there was a bigger picture in all of this. Let’s make sure we sacrifice whatever we need to, play as hard as we can, just to give us the opportunity to have a chance. And so we relied upon each other. The defense needed to know that we had their back and that we were there to support them, and we were going to look them in the eye and let them know.” McCartney was another figure who didn’t have a problem looking any of his players in the eye. Going into the Texas game with a tie to Tennessee and a loss to Illinois, there was zero room for error the rest of the season, and that message was conveyed very clearly to the team prior to getting on the plane for Austin. Coach Mac emphasized to his players that every play was going to be the most important of the game.
Eric Bieniemy: “There was a lot of build-up. We were 1-1-1, and there was a lot of hype behind us. We were still finding our way to come together, but that moment was made because Coach Mac held us to a higher standard and he wanted everybody to see the big picture.” The result? Chad Brown, one of the all-time great Buffalo linebackers and second on the team in most tackles that year, made one of his season-high 20 tackles to stop the Longhorns on a crucial third down. Texas was held to a field goal, and Colorado would go on to score the final 15 points to win the game. It was just one of many close wins that year for the team with the toughest ranked schedule in college football. Darian Hagan, the Buffaloes’ legendary quarterback and current running backs coach in his 16th season for Colorado’s coaching staff, described the 1990 season perfectly. “Nothing came easy. We had to dig deep in every game. We knew that everybody was going to be gunning for us and it was going to come down to the final whistle.”
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Alfred Williams (#94) was a unanimous All-American linebacker in 1990. Darian Hagan (bottom) combined for 16 passing and rushing touchdowns that season.
Colorado’s ability to win close games against the nation’s best teams is the ultimate testament to its players and coaches, with many citing the 1987 recruiting class as the group that catapulted the program to another level. Mike Pritchard, the Buffaloes’ 1990 team MVP and first round NFL draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, recalls being a part of such a distinguished unit in the school’s history. “It was myself and guys like Eric Bieniemy, Alfred Williams, Kanavis McGhee, Charles Johnson, George Hemingway and Jay Leewenberg,” he says with a grin on his face. “For Coach Mac to bring us all in on the same recruiting trip was masterful. The way we all bonded and respected each other felt magical to me. We were all heavily recruited, but we talked about instead of going to different schools, let’s go to Colorado and win a national championship. Let’s put this program on the map. Let’s play with JJ Flannigan, Mickey Pruitt and Eric McCarty. That goal was never forgotten and it was amplified after 1989 when we went undefeated before losing to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. The 1987 recruiting class was one for the ages with the impact that we all made. We were Rick George’s (current Colorado Athletic Director) first recruiting class.”
Eric Bieniemy:
“I remember that recruiting trip like it was yesterday. I had no idea where the state of Colorado was on the map. I was focused on going to USC. Coach Oliver Lucas had been recruiting me for Colorado and he convinced me to take the recruiting trip. I remember coming over the hill on Highway 36 and seeing how beautiful it was and the snow all around. It wasn’t so much that we had a great group of guys who were collectively there on the trip together. It was the players who were already there who made us feel a part of something special – Solomon Wilcots, Jon Embry, Mickey Pruitt, David Tate, Mark Hatcher, Mike Marquez, Kyle Rappold, Lance Carl, JJ Flannigan, Sal Aunese and
O.C. Oliver. From that point on, I knew exactly where I wanted to go to school. It was all about the people who I was going to have the opportunity to play with. They made us want to come to Colorado.”
David Plati: “That recruiting class was out of this world. It was a money class considering the value you got out of each recruit.” Three years later, fighting tooth and nail just as Hagan had described, the Buffs would make history. It was a season for the ages, culminating in the school’s first and only national championship and, to this day, it still evokes a roller coaster of emotions and memories for some of the team’s legends of the fall.
Chad Brown: “It’s a mix of the glory days
that you remember versus the reality that it wasn’t always the glory days during those days. There were lots of ups and downs to get through.
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Mike Pritchard (far left) amassed 1,178 total yards and 11 touchdowns in 1990. As a freshman, Chad Brown (left) was second on the team with 106 tackles in 1990. Eric Bieniemy (lower) was the nation’s second leading rusher with 1,628 yards and 17 touchdowns. I was threatened by a gambler after not scoring on a fake field goal against Notre Dame in 1989. Team security and the Boulder Police Department had to get involved.”
Bill McCartney
Then there’s the missed tackle on Notre Dame’s explosive Raghib “Rocket” Ismail on a punt return in the Orange Bowl in 1990. Rocket would go for a touchdown before the play was called back for an Irish holding penalty. However, even today, the play is still a bullet point with Brown.
1982-1994.
(opposite page) went 93-55-5 as head coach of Colorado from
Chad Brown:
“Over my entire career, I’ve made over 1,000 tackles in the NFL and over 300 at Colorado. But I missed that one. The humbleness that play brings to me comes to mind. I had a good career as a Buff and I enjoyed a lot of personal success and accolades, but I’m the dude who missed the tackle on “The Rocket.” If that touchdown isn’t called back, my football life is completely different.” “I also am reminded of this. I’ve played football at some incredible places with iconic franchises and amazing head coaches, but there’s no doubt that the best experience I’ve ever had was being a Colorado Buffalo in that magical time with those incredible players and coaches. It was a very lucky experience to be a part of that timeframe with all that we accomplished and all that we’re still accomplishing.”
Eric Bieniemy: “I always think about the Nebraska game that year, but it was how we beat them. Our defense played their tails off and did everything under the sun to make sure we came away with a victory. For a while during the game, I was single-handedly sabotaging our season that afternoon because I couldn’t hold on to the football. Al (Williams) had a moment with me. He came over and told me that everyone had
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my back. Those are the types of moments throughout that season that I remember. You remember the times when your teammates pulled you aside when you needed them to. Things like that happened naturally with teammates that made that season so special and unique.” Bieniemy fumbled three times against the Cornhuskers before scoring four touchdowns in the 4th quarter to help the team to a 27-12 win in Lincoln.
Alfred Williams: “More than anything else, what I remember most about our team was practice and how much practice meant to everybody. That was the glue for the entire team. They were intense. Knowing that you could battle against some of the greatest competition in the world – although we didn’t know it at the time – we didn’t want to back down. Practices were crazy. At the end of the year, you had three or four All Americans going up against each other. All of us had a gene in us that told us that we were the best, and the only way to figure that out was to be challenged and pushed. Along the way at Colorado, we had some hardships and difficulties, but perseverance, dedication and natural talent was how we overcame things.” Mike Pritchard: “For me, it was about unfinished business in 1990
from 1989’s Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame. I started in place of Bieniemy at running back against Tennessee and rushed for 217 yards rushing and two touchdowns. We played well enough to realize that we were really good and we had a chance to do something special. I remember Bieniemy scoring on the final play for a win against Stanford, and Hagan setting up that score by breaking tackles on an unbelievable run.”
David Plati: “I think about Pritchard’s performance against Tennessee. I remember Deon Figures’ interception in the end zone at Washington to save that win.” Then there was the Missouri game and the infamous fifth down. Thirty years later, Mizzou fans are still crying foul about the fifth down touchdown that won the game for Colorado in Columbia. To that point, Plati is armed with undeniable facts as to why the Buffs’ win was as legitimate as they come.
David Plati: “It was their officiating crew. It was their sideline personnel. And it was their scoreboard operator. Missouri made everyone in the stadium think that it was third down and not fourth down. We wouldn’t have spiked the ball to stop the clock on fourth down.” And then there were the overall conditions of the field at Missouri. Colorado statisticians counted 92 instances where Colorado slipped and fell untouched or slipped and couldn’t make a tackle. It was so bad that ESPN did a feature on it the following week on College GameDay.
David Plati: “Missouri wasn’t up front about the field conditions, so we didn’t have the right shoe with us. There was nothing we could do. If we had the right shoe, we’re winning that game 45-10. It’s not even close.” This fabled year of 1990 could have only been orchestrated by Boulder’s ultimate conductor. Bill McCartney resonated with his players in such an indelible manner that the stories are still reflected upon three decades later.
Alfred Williams: “He would
to also help lay the foundation of what my former teammates were able to establish as far as who we are, what we became, and what our school is known for with Coach Mac and Coach (Gary) Barnett.”
Mike Pritchard: “Coach Mac cared about us more than just football. He communicated with us.
“PLAYING FOR COACH
I remember how hard they wanted us to work in 1990. The coaches knew how good and how special we were. We had three-a-days with two practices and an early evening passing session to make sure our passing game was on par. Darian Hagan was really coming along and turning into the legend that he became. Mac knew we wanted it and that we’d be receptive to hard work.”
say things like, ‘Alfred Williams, you’re matched up this week against MAC WAS LIKE PLAYING Broderick Thomas (Nebraska). You FOR YOUR DAD. YOU need to have a better game than Broderick Thomas.’ He would tell DIDN’T WANT TO LET our quarterback, Darian Hagan, ‘You’re matched up against Darian Hagan: “Playing for HIM DOWN.” Charles Thompson (Oklahoma). Coach Mac was like playing for Thompson runs a 4.3 forty time and your dad. You didn’t want to let he pushes all the buttons for that him down. Play your hardest, play Sooner offense to make it happen. your best and give it your all on You have to have a better game every snap.” than Charles Thompson.’ Coach Mac did a masterful job of not just Chad Brown: “Of all the challenging us within our team, but coaches I’ve ever been around, also looking across the field to the Coach Mac used the team meeting process more other sideline to see what the competition was doing. It created this than anyone else to build throughout the week and unbreakable bond because we knew after we defeated those teams create a narrative and belief to how we were going that we were superior.” to win that week’s game.”
Eric Bieniemy: “Coach Mac was a hell of a leader. He’s a man who had the presence of mind to bring people together and he took a lot of different players from a lot of different areas – Southern California, New Orleans, Houston, Las Vegas, Detroit. He taught us the importance of working hard and how to be held accountable to one another and see the big picture in all of this. I am forever grateful that Coach gave me the opportunity to be a part of something special, but
Playing for McCartney meant something special. There was a bond. There was respect. There was genuine love and appreciation. There was also a lot of winning. From 1988 through 1994, the
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Buffaloes went 66-15. Supreme football talent was flocking to Folsom Field year after year, thanks, in part, to the current players looking to add to the arsenal with more support. There was something big going on in Boulder and everybody knew it.
Mike Pritchard:
“We helped recruit Chad Brown, Darian Hagan, Deon Figures and the other young guys who helped us and accompanied us to that 1990 national title. Eventually that turned into Michael Westbrook, Kordell Stewart, Chris Hudson and all the other legends.”
Eric Bieniemy: “It continued when we got there with guys who followed us. It was all about making everybody feel as important as the next man.” Sal Aunese was an All-American high school quarterback out of San Diego who was the crown jewel of Colorado’s 1986 incoming class. He was an unquestioned leader and had “star” written all over him. When he passed away in 1989 from a rare stomach cancer, a challenge far greater than any road game at Nebraska or Oklahoma stared a bunch of dazed college football players right between the eyes. A fallen brother and teammate. Endless weekly media coverage coupled with heightened on-the-field expectations for a program on the rise. Weaker men would have crumbled. These were not those men.
Alfred Williams:
“Many people think that Sal’s death was a galvanizing force that brought us together. While raw emotion can
The Buffaloes rushed for 186 yards against Notre Dame in the 1991 Orange Bowl in a 10-9 victory to capture their first national championship.
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carry things early in the first six or seven minutes, after that, who you are takes over. You can’t replace talent in the course of a football game. You can’t fake it for four quarters. We had something to play for with Sal and what he meant to all of us. But I’m here to tell you, and don’t get it twisted, that was one of the most talented teams in Colorado football history.” We’ll take it a step further because we feel Williams is being modest. Those 1989 and 1990 teams were some of the best in college football history, let alone Colorado. Thirty years later, the gold on those helmets signifies so much more to the players who were instrumental in putting Colorado on the college football landscape.
Chad Brown: “Coach Mac sold a vision to me as a player as to what was going to happen at Colorado. He told me, ‘Becoming a Colorado Buffalo is going to be a springboard for the rest of your life.’ I bought it. I didn’t know what it meant at the time, but it’s been absolutely glorious.” “Buff for Life” isn’t just a phrase. It’s a reality. I had teammates as my groomsmen. They’re the first people who called when my children were born and when family members have passed away. Buffs show up. The bond is unbreakable.”
Darian Hagan: “We didn’t play for the name on our back. We played for the name on the front. To this day, I can call any of those guys. They’d do anything for me and I’d do anything for them. You can turn around a program with some key players, and that’s what we did.”
Key players. Key coaches. Key recruiting. Key resiliency. Key faith. And key heart. Never have so many keys been such a lock for greatness.
Cherry Creek Watch Company is a modern and vintage timepiece store nestled in the heart of Cherry Creek North. In addition to our extensive in-house collection, we are able to source just about any watch through our connections around the globe. We are always looking to add to our ever-growing inventory and are actively buying and trading fine Swiss timepieces. We offer watch servicing from the simplest of battery changes to overhauling even the most complicated of timepieces. We encourage you to stop in and see what we have to offer.
In the heart of Cherry Creek North 231 Milwaukee Street, Suite #102 720.770.2223 | ccwatchco.com
The
RIGINALS BY BETSY MARR
Long before it was Denver’s epicenter of luxury and modern development, Cherry Creek was an eclectic bohemian outpost. A hodgepodge of mom and pop businesses housed in artsy bungalows turned storefronts that were beloved by patrons from across the street, across the front range and in some cases, across the globe. From purveyors of fine rugs to curators of fine art, many of the area’s originals are still standing today (albeit as slightly sleeker iterations). Join us as we journey into the past 75 years of entrepreneurship in the heart of Cherry Creek.
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The Cherry Cricket Est. 1945
WYNKOOP BREWING CEO LEE DRISCOLL ON… Cherry Creek… I love the scale of Cherry Creek. Despite all of the development, it still feels small and intimate to me. I like to take an afternoon break from work by strolling my dog for a walk around the district. I always take a different route. It is really the collective experience of the whole neighborhood that I like much more than any single part. COVID-19… COVID stinks! I hate it and can’t wait until it is behind us. We hope that people can come back in a safe way as soon as possible to all of the businesses in Cherry Creek. Like many of the restaurants in our community, we have tried to help by donating food to people in need as well as by supporting more individually targeted charities. On Family Dining… I was standing outside of The Cricket a few years ago when a mother and father came out of the restaurant with their two small children. The father had a huge smile on his face and said to the mother, “We are never going back to McDonalds!”
he oldest of Cherry Creek’s businesses still standing today, “The Cricket,” as it is so fondly known, has been serving up the neighborhood’s best burgers for 75 years. When it first opened in 1945, the enclave looked much different than it does today. Far from a trendy hub for fashion and dining, the Cherry Cricket was adjacent to a dumping ground called “Harman” that would eventually become the modern Cherry Creek. At the time of its opening, it was aptly called Mary Zimmerman’s Bar – a nod to the original owner. In fact, the joint was not only Mary’s business, but also her home in the middle of what was then a somewhat undesirable part of town. Five years later, in 1950, local businessman Lloyd Page purchased the restaurant from Zimmerman and changed the name to The Cherry Cricket – although to this day no one knows the roots of Page’s choice in a moniker. It was at this time that the restaurant’s distinguishable marquee was built by none other than Denver’s own Gordon Sign Company (which continued in business until March of this year). It remains today as arguably the most recognizable emblem in all of Cherry Creek. Fast-forward 13 years to 1963, and the sign received a revolving new addition – the word “Duffy’s” by the new owner, Bernard Duffy. At the time, diners could feast on a prime rib lunch buffet for just $2.50. Then, in 1972, ownership changed yet again, although the details remain rather vague. Over the next two decades, the watering hole fell into a bit of a “dark period” whereby its reputation was somewhat questionable – not quite the beloved family eatery we enjoy today.
“The Cricket has deep roots in the Cherry Creek Community. It has been a place that welcomes everyone since its inception in 1945; although, it’s fair to say that the neighborhood was a little rougher back then,” laughs CEO Lee Driscoll. In 1990, the Cricket would undergo a renaissance at the hands of proprietress Eli McGuire. McGuire took the establishment to the heights we know now – whereby the Cherry Cricket earned accolade after accolade for Denver’s best burger. It was this notoriety that attracted the John Hickenlooper-founded Wynkoop Brewing to acquire the bar and restaurant. “We purchased the business in 2001, and we have tried to maintain the original look, feel and culture as much as possible. We didn’t want to do anything that would change The Cricket that people have come to know and love for generations,” Driscoll explains. Since then, the tavern has continued to cement its place as a Cherry Creek landmark and one of Colorado’s most iconic eateries – including the 2018 introduction of a satellite location in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood. Having turned the heads of major national media outlets such as the Food and Travel Channels, the Cherry Cricket is indeed a darling of Denver’s food scene. And while it may be a far cry from the rural outpost helmed by Mary Zimmerman some 75 years ago, a few sentiments remain the same – the Cricket is unpretentious, rooted in quality, and serves the best damn burger in town. More via cherrycricket.com
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The Hermitage Bookshop Est. 1973
HEARTFELT MEMORIES he written word was an integral part of Bob Topp’s world long before he became the owner of The Hermitage Bookshop in 1973. Growing up, Topp’s father and grandfather were avid collectors of rare tomes and, with that, the seed was planted. After returning to Colorado from his service overseas in the early-1970s, Bob had six months to occupy before starting graduate school in art. Naturally, he gravitated to working in a bookstore and found himself quite at home at David Wollins’ All Books in downtown Denver. Soon, Wollins would reveal his plans to sell the shop. Bob’s first thought was that he could happily run it for a few years, build up his inventory and then sell it once again – this time for enough money to fund his educational pursuits. Forty-seven years later, graduate school is still waiting and Topp’s store, now known as The Hermitage Bookshop, is one of Denver’s finest and longest standing booksellers. In 1980, Topp moved to the Cherry Creek North neighborhood, which at the time was known more as a design district but was slowly changing to emerge as a hub of small, independent retailers. His bookstore fit right in. “When I arrived in Cherry Creek, 80 percent of the shops were single location, owner operated outposts. There was a strong comradery and sense of similar purpose among the merchants – a feeling that I believe translated to customers as well,” he recalls. It was a move that served Topp well, and, in 1990, he doubled his Cherry Creek imprint, purchasing and moving into the building he still occupies today at 290 Fillmore Street.
“I had a customer named Towney Wilder. I have never met anyone who loved books more than Towney. In his winter years, he lived in a rent-controlled apartment and I would pick him up once a week and bring him to the Hermitage. He was nearly deaf, spoke very loudly and loved to recite bawdy limericks. Customers throughout the store would be treated to “there once was a girl from Tahiti…” On another occasion, Towney came up to the sales counter and asked me if he was allowed to keep what was in the book if he purchased For nearly 50 years, The Hermitage Bookshop has been selling out-of-print, recent and collectable books to a fiercely loyal group of readers. “Since we are not limited to what is in print, our customers will find much greater depth in the subjects that interest them,” he explains. It is this type of flexibility and true passion for his craft that sets Topp apart from big box, online-only sellers. In fact, this is the very passion and personality that has defined the small, entrepreneurial Cherry Creek shops since the neighborhood’s inception and for Topp, is still accurate today. “Despite the physical and cultural changes that have taken place in Cherry Creek, it is still a lovely neighborhood that attracts friendly and interesting shoppers from all over the nation,” he attests. “Those of us who own our space and have managed to stay in Cherry Creek still share the bond and the sense of pride that can only come from being in business for decades. That’s what continues to make Cherry Creek so unique.”
it. I answered, “of course,” and he held open the book to show me two, crisp, one-hundreddollar bills. I wished him congratulations, but he insisted we split the spoils. At the end of Towney’s life, he was in the hospital and I took him a book on Medieval Architecture. He folded his arms across his chest embracing the book and whispered that he would read it later. I found out from a nurse that he died with the book in his arms. A fitting end to someone who epitomized the love of learning.”
More via hermitagebooks.com
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Saks Galleries Est. 1963
hen Lemon Saks was stationed in London during WWII, he developed a surprising interest in art and antiques. So much so that postwar, the Danish-born immigrant brought his passion to his home in Denver where he established several antique shops known as The House of Saks before also opening the Denver Art Galleries at 1635 Broadway in 1957. During this time, Saks became so well-regarded in the art and antiquities communities that European dealers anxiously awaited his thrice-yearly visits, even holding works for months on end exclusively for Mr. Saks’ eventual viewing. Under his directorship, Denver Art Galleries attained a national reputation for dealing important 19th and 20th century paintings and for many years was the preeminent gallery between the coasts. Then, in 1960, a commercial parcel in the sleepy Cherry Creek neighborhood became available. Having always dreamed of building a structure solely devoted to fine art, Mr. Saks jumped at the opportunity and, with that, Saks Galleries as we know it was born. Every detail in the construction was artistic, from the travertine face to the imported gold-plated door handles. The building was quite an anomaly for the area circa 1963, as the rest of Cherry Creek consisted of small, modest structures. Since then, the gallery has gone on to become one of the most successful in the entire region and certainly one of the most lauded in Denver. It’s a testament to the vision of Lemon Saks whose legacy has since been carried on by his daughter-in-law, Catherine, who helms the gallery today. “Cherry Creek was a very quiet and quaint neighborhood. The homes were charming little single family cottages with a few apartment buildings in the area,” she recalls. “There was a real need for a fine art gallery in Denver. People didn’t travel as far or as frequently as they do today but a potential art collector would probably travel to either coast or to Europe to make art purchases,” she continues. Impressively, Saks was the only building between the two coasts that was constructed specifically to showcase fine art – a forward-
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thinking leap of faith on the part of Lemon Saks at the time. It was a leap that paid off. Saks Galleries has been leading the Cherry Creek art community for almost 60 years now. In fact, the only time in six decades that the gallery has been closed for any significant amount of time came just this year at the onset of the pandemic. And while Saks most certainly enjoys the modern conveniences of today’s art world, she recalls the gallery of years past with great fondness. “In the early days we had many customers who would stop by just to chat. Regulars who brought with them stories of their families and their travels,” she reminisces. “We often became friends because of the lazy pace of those days. No cell phones to interrupt a conversation.”
BACK IN THE DAY… “Cherry Creek was a very quiet and quaint neighborhood when we first opened. The original Cherry Creek Mall was an outdoor
While the landscape may have changed a bit over the last 57 years – cell phones are ever present, the buildings in the neighborhood are much grander, and there are galleries in every pocket of the city – the clients and, moreover, friendships that the Saks family has built since the earliest days of Lemon’s visionary new gallery have undoubtedly endured.
promenade. There was a great Woolworth with a lunch counter, a Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, and plenty of clothing stores such as Merry Simmons for kids and The Squire Shop for gentlemen.”
More via saksgalleries.com
The Brass Bed Est. 1978
n 1978, Rosella Louis was a budding 22-year-old entrepreneur with an undeniable eye for style. Her shop, The Brass Bed, was one of the small retailers in the heart of Cherry Creek – known for many years as “Harman.” There were no grand storefronts or multilevel buildings. In fact, most shops were old bungalows-turned-boutiques without so much as air conditioning. It was a walking village with nary a crane or bulldozer to be seen. Fast-forward 42 years and quite a bit has changed in Cherry Creek – yet The Brass Bed is still holding strong. And still helmed by the Louis women, albeit these days, it’s Rosella’s daughter Molly, daughter-in-law Olivia and niece, Laura, greeting customers into the bright and jovial shop.
The Vineyard Est. 1971
BACK THEN... “We were all “mom-and-pop” stores. There were not a lot of tall buildings and the mall was still an open-air plaza. The Tattered Cover was the book store and people worked
lif Louis has loved wine from a very early age. So when he successfully sold his business in 1980, he needed something to occupy his time while also helping him break into the field he so loved. Having been a customer of The Vineyard, he asked then-owner Robbie Wilson if he could work for him. Wilson agreed to hire Louis as a stock boy, where he’d learned everything he possibly could about the business of wine. At the end of that first year under Wilson’s tutelage, Clif bought The Vineyard and the rest, as they say, is Cherry Creek history. That was 1982 and, according to Louis, he’s loved every minute since – all 38 years’ worth. “The thing about wine is that it is always changing. Each wine evolves and just when you think you know everything, a new vintage comes along and it all changes,” he remarks with excitement. “Our customers have also made it possible to keep the business going. We’re not the type of shop where someone pops in for a quick six-pack of beer. These folks want to know what would be best to serve or enjoy themselves. They really engage us in the process and, in doing so, we get to know them on a personal level.” Indeed, The Vineyard is not your run-of-themill wine shop. Having spent nearly 50 years in Cherry Creek at the exact same Fillmore
there mostly for fun because they enjoyed reading!”
“When I took over the store, Cherry Creek was all mom-and-pop shops. There was a genuine sense of community here – no one put on airs. This notion is something that has driven us from day one and continues to inspire us today,” Louis states. “That lack of self-importance and love for what we do is why our customers have been coming back for almost 50 years. That, and the fact that we carry really great wines,” he laughs.
Street location, the store has become a neighborhood staple – one rooted in customer service, vast knowledge, and a pure passion for wine. The first store in Denver to offer a wine-of-the-month club back in 1971, The Vineyard is Colorado’s oldest wine shop and is considered the “go to” for the state’s oenophiles. Yet Louis and his staff have maintained a level of approachability that is evident from the moment a customer walks through the door. No pretentions or judgments – just a deep, unwavering love for wine and a fervor for sharing it with others.
This passion for Cherry Creek is one that seems to run in the family. Clif’s wife, Rosella, founded and ran the beloved Brass Bed for nearly 40 years before passing the reins to her daughter, Molly and daughter-inlaw, Olivia. Just down the street Clif’s son, Daniel, opened Revampt and most recently, Molly and Olivia teamed up with Brass Bed alum Doug Parsons to open White Peacock, an upscale home accessories, tableware and gift shop. That’s a whole lot of Louis’ in a 16-block radius. “There are few, if any places where so many multi-generational family-owned businesses are thriving right alongside major national brands. That’s something incredibly special.” More via vineyardwineshop.com
Naturally, it all started with a brass bed. “In the beginning, we carried beautifully handmade brass beds with casted and turned ornaments and hand-bent scrollwork,” Louis details. “As I dressed the beds to help sell the headboards and floorboards, customers liked the designs we created and wanted to purchase the bedding. That sent me on a hunt to find the best mills in Italy and France to dress our main product and provide the bedding, too.” With that, The Brass Bed as we know it today was officially born, its home in one of the aforementioned “homes” right on Third Avenue between Columbine and Clayton. Since then, the business has grown exponentially. The shop is known as the place for upscale linens in the entire region and counts names like Matouk, Peacock Alley and Yves Delmore amongst their collections. Over the years, they’ve expanded into table linens, bath linens and even bedroom
furnishings and accessories, have added a second Brass Bed locale in Boulder and, in 1999, doubled their space in Cherry Creek by purchasing and occupying a new building on the corner of Third and St. Paul where they remain today. It’s a business that has stood the test of time and one that continues to inspire its owners day after day. “The culture that my mother created within the Brass Bed is something that never ceases to amaze me,” Molly (née Louis) Myers explains. “We are inspired to continue bringing products to Cherry Creek that are not found everywhere, that have authentic artisan touches, and that are made from the finest of fabrics,” she continues. And while true, they’re pricier than some, like The Brass Bed itself, they’re designed to last for generations to come. An uncommon idea in today’s world of fastfashion and mass retail, and one that Cherry Creek was built on.
AROUND TOWN “Must visit” businesses in Cherry Creek? I like HW Home, Bloom, and Andrisen Morton. And of course, Revampt and White Peacock. What is Cherry Creek’s best kept secret? Experiential shopping, dining, and tons of parking, believe it or not. Favorite Cherry Creek restaurant? Cucina Colore.
More via brassbedfinelinens.com
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Shaver-Ramsey Est. 1976
n 1975, Paul Ramsey caught the travel bug. Along with then partner Carolyn Shaver, he journeyed the globe far and wide and fell in love with the people, places and cultures of Asia. In particular, he was deeply attracted to the way that these societies were celebrated through art, textiles and rugs. “I was incredibly drawn to the beauty of Asian artifacts. Specifically, I loved how their art depicted so much about the culture of those who created it,” the former graduate school teacher with a background in statistics recalls. “These local tribes were truly brought to life through the rugs and textiles they crafted.” At the time, Carolyn Shaver was part-owner in La Boca, a successful Denver-based importer of Latin American artifacts with several locations – Cherry Creek included. As she and Ramsey trekked across Asia, they began to collect things with the intention of selling them at La Boca. And sell they did. Their treasures were so well received by Shaver’s customers that the duo soon realized they had a completely new business on their hands. With that, Shaver sold her interest in La Boca and joined Ramsey to create a new store focused on fine rugs and textiles. They acquired a space in the heart of Cherry Creek on the corner of Third and Josephine and Shaver-Ramsey was officially launched. “Back then, the neighborhood was really Bohemian,” Ramsey says. “There were a number of modern furniture stores, small artist-owned shops and a lot of really locally-rooted businesses. It was a very funky little area.”
“We live here. We work here. We are deeply rooted in this neighborhood. It’s important for us to share what we have with the community.”
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Since then, Shaver-Ramsey has grown into one of the nation’s most well-respected purveyors of fine rugs, largely due to Ramsey’s vast knowledge on the topic. In fact, he has worked closely over the years with the likes of the Smithsonian Institution, the Textile Museum, and the Denver Art Museum to promote the art of rugs and textiles. Many have even featured the collections of both Shaver-Ramsey and its clients. All the while, a deep commitment to only the finest quality – from new, premier rugs being woven by today’s finest artisans to collectible and decorative antique carpets to one-of-a-kind custom rug productions – has remained steadfast. “We’ve grown from one small portion of our original building to, bit by bit, occupying the entire space,” co-owner Elizabeth Vehko, who took over for Carolyn Shaver 22 years ago, explains. Ultimately, Shaver-Ramsey found its next home just a few blocks away on Sixth Avenue. And while the address may have changed from the building they called home for over 40 years, the heart and soul
of the business did not. What’s more, this growth can be seen through much more than just a footprint. Shaver-Ramsey’s list of accolades is long. From calling senators and governors their clients, to providing the rugs for Colorado’s most distinguished and monumental events – including a visit from Pope John Paul II and the 1997 G8 Summit – Shaver-Ramsey is, indeed, esteemed. But for both Ramsey and Vehko, the business is about much more than simply business. As such, Shaver-Ramsey has long been known as not only a purveyor of fine rugs, but also as a community center of sorts. They frequently loan their space to local nonprofit organizations looking to host special events, and for years have been beloved for their popular “Magic Carpet Ride” series whereby Paul Ramsey leads an entertaining tour of the history and ethnography of rug weaving. “We live here. We work here. We are deeply rooted in this neighborhood. It’s important for us to share what we have with the community,” Vehko finishes. More via shaver-ramsey.com
The
ist
Meet the businesses that have been shaping Cherry Creek since the beginning. Here, we recognize those celebrating 30 or more years in the neighborhood. CHERRY CRICKET – 75 Years FOSTER & SONS – 61 Years SAKS GALLERIES – 57 Years LAWRENCE COVELL – 53 Years THE VINEYARD – 49 Years HERMITAGE BOOKS – 47 Years JOHN ATENCIO – 44 Years SHAVER-RAMSEY – 44 Years ARTISAN CENTER – 43 Years ANDRISEN MORTON – 42 Years THE BRASS BED – 42 Years MARIO DI LEONE – 39 Years
EUROPTICS – 37 Years GNAT – 37 Years KINETIC FITNESS – 37 Years SHOW OF HANDS – 37 Years WILLIAMS JEWELERS – 37 Years GARBARINI – 35 Years CHERRY CREEK TAILOR – 34 Years CONCORD CUSTOM TAILORS – 33 Years MARKS LLOYDS FURS – 32 Years WIGS TODAY – 31 Years FASCINATION ST. FINE ART – 30 Years ROOM & BOARD – 30 Years
“One of my favorite stories from Bill Charney, the founder of CCAF, is how the very next day after the first event took place in 1991, the phone started ringing. Surprisingly, it wasn’t people calling about lost items and damages, but it was artists calling to get on the mailing list. In a time before cell phones, word was literally spreading across the country as artists drove home from Denver. The Arts Festival was a phenomenon from the start and we have Bill Charney to thank for that.” ‘Tara Brickell, Executive Director & CEO, CherryArts
SHOWN HERE: The renowned Denny Dent created live art in the heart of Cherry Creek at
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the inaugural event in 1991. This summer marks the first time the beloved festival has been canceled since its inception nearly 30 years ago. Organizers, artists and patrons are looking forward to resuming in 2021 post-COVID-19 restrictions.
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G R E AT F O O d G R E AT W I N E G R E AT C O M PA N Y 720.772.502 2
249 COLUM BI N E ST REE T
LOCALJON ES.COM
JEFF HENDLEY 303.877.6767 JEFF@JEFFHENDLEY.COM