Western Development Group, the developer of the $100 million 250 Columbine mixed-use development in Cherry Creek North, has leased two new restaurant concepts – SOL Cocina and Blue Island Oyster Bar – to the project. Both eateries are scheduled to open this summer.

Additional tenants will be Arc’Teryx, a global design and manufacturing company specializing in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment, and a new Starbucks location.

“We’ve had very strong interest in our retail space at 250 Columbine and will be announcing several more tenants soon,” said Roy Kline, a partner at Western Development Group.  “SOL Cocina and Blue Island Oyster Bar are exciting new concepts to the Denver area and will be great additions to our project and the neighborhood.  The addition of these fantastic restaurants reinforces Cherry Creek North’s position as the ultimate dining destination.  Arc’Teryx will provide outdoor enthusiasts with some of the best outerwear gear in the world, and Starbucks is a wonderful addition to any project.”

SOL Cocina features Executive Chef Deborah Schneider’s bold, modern interpretations of traditional Coastal Mexican cuisine with a focus on fresh sustainable ingredients. Designed to echo the expansive sea, sky, and desert of the Baja peninsula, SOL features an open exhibition kitchen with counter seating for guests who like to see the bustling kitchen that mimics the Baja taco bar. To complement the dining experience, SOL’s bar creates hand-crafted-to order fresh fruit margaritas and cocktails inspired by the authentic seasonal flavors of the menu. The restaurant offers more than 70 artisan, premium and ultra premium tequilas and mescals.  More information is at www.SOLCocina.com

Blue Island Oyster Bar, developed by the same team of designers, builders and chefs that created Humboldt, Rialto Café, Spruce and Stout Street Social will deliver a “dock to dish” experience through an ever-changing list of seven to 10 oysters that will be offered daily, including their very own farmed and wild-diver caught oysters as well as a selection from both the East and West Coasts.

Based in North Vancouver, BC, Arc’teryx is a global design and manufacturing company specializing in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment.  The company began manufacturing harnesses under the name of “Rock Solid”. By 1998, the company had changed the name to Arc’teryx.  More information www.press.arcteryx.com.

Construction of 250 Columbine began in August of 2013 (with Denver-based OZ Architecture serving as the architect, and PCL Construction of Denver serving as the general contractor), and will be completed by May 2015.

More information about 250 Columbine at www.250columbine.com or by, contacting Western Development Group at 303-321-5700.

Denver-based Sage Hospitality, one of the nation’s top hotel management, development and investment companies, has begun 2015 with a rapidly expanding portfolio in key markets in the United States.  Including the announcement of a new management contract for the Denver Marriott Tech Center, with a planned large scale renovation for the south Denver convention venue.

Sage’s growth in development began last year with the opening of the newly built SpringHill Suites Downtown Oceanside in California, followed by the renovated Westin Cleveland Downtown hotel in Ohio.  Also in Cleveland was the opening of Sage Restaurant Group’s second location of Urban Farmer, beginning an expansion of its restaurant concepts which will continue in 2015.

July 2014 marked the opening of Denver Union Station and the launch of The Crawford Hotel, ranked one of the Top 11 Business Hotels by CNN and Top 101 Best New Hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler.  Other Denver announcements for Sage in 2014 included a 150-room independent hotel on 245 Columbine in the former Post Office building in Denver’s high-end shopping district, Cherry Creek.  The luxury boutique hotel, developed in partnership with BMC Investments, will include Sage Restaurant Group’s second location for its highly acclaimed Departure Restaurant.

Expanding on a relationship that began with Denver Union Station, Sage has partnered with Colorado real estate developer, McWhinney, on two new projects.  The historic Windsor Dairy Block, in the LoDo District of Denver, will include another independent Sage hotel.  This duo also has plans to develop a two-acre block in Old Town, Fort Collins, which will include retail, a restaurant and a 165-room hotel associated with an undisclosed brand, set to open in 2017.

Outside of Colorado, Sage has expanded its Premier & Lifestyle division with a new management contract in another historic train station, the Union Station Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.  The Union Station Hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection with 137 rooms and owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, who also owns the Nines – a Luxury Collection hotel in Portland, Oregon.

Going further east, in December the Four Seasons Philadelphia announced that it would be removing the Four Seasons flag in June 2015.  Sage Hospitality has been hired by Host Hotels & Resorts to rebrand, renovate and reopen the location on One Logan Square in late 2015 with its own branding, new spa and a Sage Restaurant Group concept.  Host is also the owners of the Marriott Denver Tech Center hotel.

Kicking off the New Year, Sage also opened their first New York City hotel in Downtown Manhattan with the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/World Trade Center Area.  The hotel is a historic renovation in the famed William Barthman Jewelers building on Broadway and Marion, featuring all-suites with a look that reflects the jeweler’s history in the building.

“We’ve been going after more independent hotels coupled with unique locally inspired restaurants, in exciting urban markets, because that’s where our sweet spot is,” said Michael Everett, chief investment officer for Sage.  “We’ve seen amazing results in renovations and repositioning, and we look forward to operating these new hotels and restaurants and expanding our portfolio as both operator and owners.”

To learn more about Sage Hospitality and their expanding portfolio of hotels, visit www.sagehospitality.com.

Cherry Creek North is a hotbed of revolving restaurant tenants within the chi-chi shopping district. And 2015 promises a new crop of eateries — many of which are under construction in luxury residential buildings.

Here’s what I know so far:

* Cucina Colore, 3041 E. Third Ave., a Cherry Creek veteran,  is currently expanding and will reopen in a few weeks.

* Departure, 245 Columbine, Chef Gregory Gourdet.

* Del Frisco’s Grille, First Avenue and St. Paul Street, opening in the fall.

* Kobe An Shabu Shabu, downstairs at 231 Milwaukee St.

* Hasu Asian Bistro & Sushi, now open at 250 Steele St.

* Aspen Juice, now open upstairs at 231 Milwaukee St.

* Old Ay Carumba Mexican Street Sandwiches space at 2817 E. Third Ave. is reportedly under negotiation for a new restaurant.

* 200 and 250 Columbine projects soon will announce restaurant tenants.

Aspen Juice, above, already has opened in Cherry Creek North and a remodeled Cucina Colore, below, will re-open soon.

The Cherry Creek North Trunk Show series wraps up from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek North, 150 Clayton Lane. Friday’s trunk show features merchandise from Luca Decor, Nora’s Retro and Title Nine.

Nora’s Retro is a women and family-owned business focused on women’s fashion and encouraging mothers and daughters to enjoy a shopping experience together. Luca Decor focuses on sculptural and functional art for the home and garden, including kinetic art, fountains, furniture, paintings and copper wall art, among other novelty items. Title Nine, described as “evangelical about women’s participation in sports and fitness activities,””features women’s fitness apparel.

Complimentary champagne for shoppers and a chance to win $100 Cherry Creek North Gift Card.

After the trunk show, sip, savor, shop and stroll through the rest of CCN. Shoppers are invited to enjoy free valet parking (with proof of purchase) through Dec. 24. Valet parking is offered from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Visitors can park at one of two convenient vehicle drop off locations.

• Fillmore Plaza (Fillmore Street between First and Second avenues on the west side of the street).
• Josephine Street (between Second and Third avenues on the east side of the street).

When Kathleen Nevin’s Big Fat Cupcake business was severely hit by the Cherry Creek North construction, she decided not to fade away without a fight.

Nevin wrote to her e-mail list with a crowdfunding rewards program to inject new capital into the sweet business. Here’s what she said:

“…We have set up a crowdfunding rewards program with GoFundMe/BigFatCupcake. If you are not aware BFC has been crushed by the re-development of Cherry Creek North. We were scheduled to close this past Saturday but our loyal fan base would not have it. I have reduced our hours in Cherry Creek to Tuesday – Saturday 9-5 and Denver Place Tuesday through Friday 10-4. We are far from out of the woods. If you can help in any way small or large (wow) it will be greatly appreciated.”

Here’s the scoop on the rewards for donations. No expiration.

* $10 – A flight of BFC cupcakes (three);
* $25 – Six BFC cupcakes;
* $50 – One dozen BFC cupcakes;
* $100 – A vintage homemade apron made by Nevin.
* $250 – A baking class for five children (12 years old plus) baking cupcakes and making butter cream for three hours on a Saturday afternoon in 2015;
* $500 – Six months of Cupcake of the Month Club delivered in greater Denver;
* $1,000 – Your child as an intern for one week (12 years old plus) summer 2015;
* $5,000 – Lifetime cupcake award hung in Cherry Creek Store with your photo and free cupcakes for one year. Six cupcakes a week for 52 weeks;
* $10,000 – Platinum card and cupcake award hung in Cherry Creek Store with your photo. Free cupcakes for the rest of your life. Six cupcakes per week. Super hero status by every Big Fat Cupcake loving adult and child in the U.S. A cupcake superhero cape made by Nevin.

For more information, contact Nevin at Kathleen@bigfatcupcake.com.

Are you ready to “fall” into fashion?

Celebrate Fashion in Cherry Creek North is a night of affordable styles from children’s duds to an adult runway fashion show, beginning with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and the fashion show at 8 p.m. Friday in Fillmore Plaza on Fillmore between First and Second avenues.

The adult show will feature fall men’s and women’s intimates, outerwear, casual and evening wear looks from 12 Cherry Creek boutiques.

The event is sponsored by Dependable Cleaners, FirstBank of Cherry Creek and Western Development Group.

Participating fashion show merchants include:

Hair -Antoine du Chez, Planet Laboratories, Salon Utopia and SoCo Salon & Spa.

Makeup – Simply Moore.

Children’s fashion show -Heloise.

Accessories – Europtics and John Atencio.

Adult fashion show – Barth, Eccentricity, Garbarini, Inspyre Boutique, Mariel, Marks Lloyds Furs, Nora’s Retro Boutique and SOL…Store of Lingerie.

Cocktail party treats courtesy of Bombay Clay Oven, Enstrom Candies, Harman’s Eat & Drink, Patxi’s Pizza, Second Home Kitchen + Bar, True Food Kitchen and So Perfect Eats. Libations are courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka, Hawaiian Springs and Stella Artois.

Tickets are $60 general admission and $125-plus for VIP seats. Each ticket includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and libations.VIP guests will receive complimentary valet parking, a reserved seat along the runway, and an event goodie bag. The goal is to raise funds for Denver Health Foundation in support of women’s health services.

The 44th annual Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale bursts with bargains from area boutiques Thurday through Sunday.

Shoponistas, start your credit cards. It’s almost time to hit the pavement for the hottest deals in town. The 44th Annual Sidewalk Sale will feature dynamite deals from nearly 80 Cherry Creek North boutiques and businesses.

Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Hours may vary by store.

Cherry Creek North will partner with Dress for Success Denver this year. The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

For a map of participating retailers, go to http://cherrycreeknorth.com/events/info/shopping-sidewalk-sale. Participants not listed on the map: Whole Foods Market Cherry Creek, La Piccola Venezia, Scented Studio, Polished Nail Boutique.

Have you tried to drive and (God forbid) park in Cherry Creek North lately? So it came as no big surprise that Earls Kitchen + Bar at 201 Columbine St. closed for good on Saturday.

According to a story in The Denver Business Journal, “the Canadian chain is blaming the constant street closures and loss of parking that have plagued the neighborhood.”

Here’s the rest of the story:

“The restaurant shut down, effective Saturday, hanging a sign directing customers to its other two area locations in downtown Denver and Lone Tree. Staff and management will be relocated to those locations, company officials said,” the DBJ reported.

“Officials of … Earls Restaurants Ltd. said that they, like other businesses in the Cherry Creek area, have struggled with constant construction around them and the effects it has had on the restaurant. And that only became exacerbated this spring by storm-water-system work that the city of Denver has undertaken.”

“Numerous street closures for well over a year, the loss of street parking and access blocked to additional parking, even occasional power loss made it difficult to conduct business in any kind of consistent manner,” said restaurant-chain spokeswoman Cate Simpson. ‘Additional construction by the city of Denver in the past two months made it impossible to continue to operate and, like a number of other neighboring businesses, this location is unfortunately closed permanently.

According to the DBJ, Simpson said the restaurant met with city officials to discuss how the construction projects were progressing and what the business could expect. It voiced concerns about access, signage and the length of the closure, she said.

“Some businesses have told (City Councilwoman Jeanne) Robb they are suffering, complaints that have led to weekly meetings between city staffers and the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District as well as to Robb requesting a comparison of first-quarter sales-tax revenues in the district this year versus the first three months of last year.

Cherry Creek North spokeswoman Julie Underahl said the Business Improvement District has listed alternative routes and a new parking guide on www.cherrycreeknorth.com while the construction is underway.

“We are sorry to see Earls close due to the city’s storm sewer project or any other reason,” Underdahl told the DBJ. “The BID has been working very closely with the city to minimize the impacts of their project and to let visitors know that all businesses in the area are open during construction.”

Open, sure, but thriving in that construction cacophony? Hmmmm. I realize the disruption is for the greater good, but it can be hard to see a future when the present looks fuzzy.

Eavesdropping on a woman at True Food Kitchen in Cherry Creek: “I quit wearing mascara during the Ford administration.”