Volume 4, Issue 13
June 27 - July 10, 2002
Cherry Creek North has, at times, had a reputation for being over-priced and full of snobbery. However, the distinguished shopping district is marketing a new image of fresh perspectives and clientele diversity. Gone are the days of matriarchal blue-hairs owning the sidewalks of Cherry Creek North--the notorious streets and pedestrian mall are flooded with a much younger breed. Still known for its elite offerings and exclusive prices, many of the businesses that have opened in the area over the last year seem to almost cater, or at least orient themselves, to the new school influence.
"A lot of the new owners of Cherry Creek
North businesses are young," Victoria Goode,
owner of The Chocolate Foundry (2625 E. Third
Avenue), said. "It's a nice area to be located in."
Victoria and Geoffrey Goode purchased the chocolate confectioner business last March, which specializes in the custom manufacturing and retailing of fine gourmet chocolates to customers of all
ages. 
The store, which creates custom master
pieces in chocolate, also stocks contemporary
themes like a chocolate tool set and anatomically
correct molded body parts such as livers, hearts
and lungs. "Pharmaceutical companies are fond
of the chocolate body parts," said Victoria Goode,
"They order a lot of the white chocolate femur
bones."
Less than nine months old, the boutique brandis b. (218 Steele) offers an eclectic mix of designers, and unique fashions. "We have a varied mix of customers," Owner Brandis Becky said. "We have everyone shop here from 16 and in high school, to mothers of 16 year-olds. We have a real dichotomy of people coming through here." Becky said that her store might appeal to a younger crowd because a lot of the items are trendier and funky. "We carry new and interesting gift items, jewelry, bath and body, handbags, and belts.... We have a little bit of everything. Even if the boutique is not exactly their style, they can find something here."
Raul Salon and Color Studio (200 Fillmore) has been creating corrective color and hair for just over a year and half. "We specialize in more trendy and progressive work, and are definitely seeing an increase in a younger clientele," Owner Raul Manzanares said, "But we have a good balance with the Society people as well." Raul Salon and Color Studio doesn't specifically market to a young audience, but draws the youthful crowd through excellent customer service and steady client referral. "We have a really quality staff and are a consistent salon --always pushing the edge just enough," Manzanares said. "Our clients leave 100 percent satisfied. I'm very proud of that." The salon is distinctively concentrated in the specifics of progressive color and avant-garde cuts, leaving out the unessential hair salon services of facials and massages. "Ultimately," he said, "We focus on the art of hair."
"We do target a younger crowd," Carrie Goff, director of marketing for Hapa (2780 E. Second Avenue), said. "The atmosphere has a modern, fresh, and hip look...and the menu is fun and casual." The sushi grill and sake bar prides itself on having a very broad variety of fine cuisine, as well as an extensive sake selection. "We want our clientele to have a good experience," said Goff. "We want them to understand what they are eating and where it came from, and we strive to create a truly comfortable atmosphere." Hapa, specifically credited by many of the Cherry Creek North businesses as one of the main importers of the strictly chic and mostly younger crowd, has quickly become one of the most popular "It-Places" in town. Goff credits the success to their commitment to customer service. "We go out of our way to make sure people really enjoy themselves."
Max is the name of the boutique that seems almost synonymous with Cherry Creek North (3039 E. Third Avene). For over 17 years, owner Max Martinez and his dedicated staff have been introducing the latest looks. "I go on a trip somewhere every month," Martinez said. "New York, L. A., Milan...I'm just always looking for the new thing." Paper Denim & Cloth , Juicy, and Marc by Marc Jacobs are all just a few of the hot lines the boutique has currently burning the shelves. Martinez says that the success of the shop has come from continuing to offer modern and updated, timeless classics. Martinez has seen an increase of younger faces at his boutique--but has watched most of them literally grow up in front of his eyes. "We now have the daughters of our moms bringing in the new clientele."
In a small, quaint little bungalow, Green with Envy (2432 E. Third Avenue) will celebrate their business's one-year anniversary in August. The gift-gilded greenhouse is a fun and funky place with fresh, unexpected surprises around every corner. "Our business appeals to everybody, at every age," Owner Trela Phelps said. "We try to mix 50 percent gifts with 50 percent flowers... plants that are unusual but people can still grow... Orchids are the specialty here," and Trela confesses that orchids are her passion. "We specialize in orchids, and get a new shipment every week. The thing that makes us different is that our knowledgeable staff will tell you if they don't know. It's no fun to take something home and watch it die." If orchids aren't your bag, there are also creative botanic arrangements using everything from a rusty water bucket to spiraling bamboo. "You know how they have flowers on every street corner in Europe? We want to create that feeling right here," said Phelps. "We want people to be able to come in and grab some living color to take home -- or to a friend's house."
If your thumb is anything but green, you might be better off trying the vibrant flower market in the rear of Artz (2617 E. Third Avenue). The stunning stems found in this effervescent boutique are all hand-crafted and hand-painted wooden flowers exported by a family in Bali. Everything from classic tulips to exotic birds of paradise can be found here, and the wooden blossoms are guaranteed not to wither and die. "We do seem to cater to a slightly younger crowd," said owner Brian Bostron, "But people of all age ranges shop here." The contemporary craft gallery represents a vast selection of artists from over four different countries, and houses hand-crafted works in ceramic, glass, metal, and mixed media. "We offer a big price range and more color than most galleries," said Bostron. "We have items from $3 up to $7,000. Everything here is handcrafted, nothing is production oriented...we really specialize in one of a kind or limited productions."
Just around the corner is Color Me Mine (2445 E. Third Avenue) "The Paint-It-Yourself- Pottery" studio specializes in the art of having fun. The studio offers a large variety of matching pieces to glaze, perfect for anything from birthday parties to bridal showers. Owner Marquitte Starkey said, "Our clientele varies, we have such a mixture. Color me Mine is really a great social outing for anyone at any age, in a friendly, clean atmosphere." Starkey does see some of the other businesses catering to younger crowds, so the art studio offers a 'Date Night' on Saturdays which includes 2-for-1 painting time, as well as a Ladies Night which offers groups of 6 or more gals a discount off their paint time.
A Cherry Creek North staple that has seen no need to change for the incoming younger genera, is the Artisan Center at 2157 East Third Avenue. "I think we have always been very conscious of the demographics of Cherry Creek North. We are all-inclusive, we don't want to alienate anyone," Manager Shadi Letson said. "The diversity of our staff reflects the true demographics of our city, not just the demographics of Cherry Creek North." The contemporary craft and specialty gift store offers an almost unbelievable selection of over 2,500 contemporary craftspeople and a truly eclectic variety of art and gifts from simple to grand. "We have the best jewelry in the whole state of Colorado," Letson said. "I don't mean to brag, but it's true." Ellen Seale opened the locally owned boutique over 25 years ago. According to Letson, Seale's vision was to create an artisan center that would offer something for a person who only had 50 cents, as well as a person with thousands. "We truly do have a vision of integrating art and people," Letson said. "We have a marketplace philosophy and a true sense of our community."
So the next time you find yourself in the little corner of East Denver known as Cherry Creek North, look around. Next to the monolithic forces of corporate America rise the spores of Hip, even in this rarified soil. It's a rebirth, a new beginning, a chance for a still-young city to spread its wings in a differen way. Take a walk. Grab a cup of coffee. Visit. Take a look at the unfolding of real culture --not bound in by perceptions of wealth or birth but inclusive and honest.
All Rights Reserved © 2002 Go Go Media, LLC, Denver, Colorado