Eavesdropping on a woman talking about other women shopping in Cherry Creek North: “Those women wear their makeup and jewelry and high heels to water aerobics.”

Second Home Kitchen + Bar inside the JW Marriott at 150 Clayton Lane is starting summer in style during a patio launch/runway party featuring hair and makeup designs by Denver’s tresses titan and “Shear Genius” star Charlie Price and Antoine du Chez at 3 p.m. June 8.

Guests can snack on complimentary small plates while sipping drinks specials and watching a hairstyle fashion show, which will showcase summer’s hottest beauty trends.

Antoine du Chez Cherry Creek was recently ranked fifth in “Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 50 Hotel Spas in the Country”. Price, a high fashion hairdresser who has styled for the likes of Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs, is the editorial director for the brand.

Reservations by calling Second Home Kitchen + Bar at 303-253-3000 or by visiting www.secondhomedenver.com.

Denver based companies BMC Investments and Sage Hospitality have announced plans to develop and operate a $60 million, seven-story, luxury independent hotel with restaurant and retail space in Cherry Creek.

BMC and Sage entered into a joint venture with Sullivan Group (helmed by dandy developer Jim Sullivan) and Elevation Group for the development of 245 Columbine, otherwise known as the Old Post Office Building.  BMC and Sage will serve as the joint-venture managing members and co-developers.

“This is the premier site available in Cherry Creek for a high-end hotel, and we feel that there is tremendous demand for a project of this caliber” said Matt Joblon, managing partner of BMC, a nationally recognized investment and development company specializing in commercial real estate and premium assets. “As with our Steele Creek project on First and Steele, we will work closely with the City Council and the neighborhood to ensure we deliver an exceptional project that highlights Cherry Creek.”

Denver-based Sage Hospitality, one of the nation’s leading investment and management companies for hotels and restaurants, will co-develop and independently brand the 150-room luxury hotel featuring a roof-top pool.  Sage Restaurant Group, who developed Second Home Kitchen + Bar also in Cherry Creek, plans to implement one of its newest brands in part of the available restaurant and retail space.

BMC and Sage have engaged design architecture firms klipp/a division of gkkworks and JG Johnson Architects of Denver to design the building.  Renowned New York-based interior designer Robert McKinley will fashion the interior of the hotel.

“We plan to create something totally unique and indigenous that will fit in with the Cherry Creek vibe,” said Walter Isenberg, President and CEO of Sage.  “Sage has developed exciting, independent brands in Colorado such as The Crawford Hotel at Denver’s Union Station, opening in July in LoDo.  We plan to bring that excitement and sense of place to Cherry Creek with this project.”

Both companies will work closely with the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association to ensure that the project meets the goals and objectives of the neighborhood and is consistent with its character and context.

How is Cherry Creek North like the month of June?

It’s bustin’ out all over.

Last week, Julie Underdahl, CEO of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District, led media types through a slide show of new construction as well as conducted a foot tour of a handful of shops in the popular shopping destination.

Cherry Creek North, whose boundaries encompass 16 blocks from First to Third Avenues, and from University to Steele, has several major building projects under construction or on the drawing board, which will increase the number of residents, office spaces and retail outlets in and around the burgeoning area.

But the pressing question, is how will the construction craze impact parking, which remains the No. 1 complaint of CCN shoppers and diners.

While the resolution to that issue remains to be seen, cranes are quickly becoming CCN’s official bird.

Projects on board to be added to the 400 businesses operating within the District’s borders, are:

* Adolph Coors Foundation headquarters, Second and St. Paul; 27,500 square feet of office and retail space set to open soon.

* Western Development Group (Christian Anschutz’s project), under construction at 250 Columbine St.; 273,000 square feet of office, retail and residential space slated to open in June 2015.

* Fillmore Residences, on Second Avenue between Fillmore and Milwaukee; 26 apartment units in 38,000 square feet with a projected opening of August.

* Columbine Development Partners, 245 Columbine St. in the old Post Office space with 94,000 square feet of office, retail and residential space.

* Paul’s Group, 100 St. Paul; 150,000 square feet of office and retail with a fall 2015 opening date.

* Whole Foods Market – Cherry Creek, adding one-third more seating to the cafe, a fresh juice and pickled items bar, more prepared foods, more shopping room on the retail floor and a food cart.

In Cherry Creek East and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, new projects include:

* The Rifkin Group – The Residences at Cherry Creek, 360 S. Monroe, 300 rental units in an eight-story building; completion date in 2015.

* Steele Creek, southeast corner of First and Steele, 230 residential units and retail with a slated opening in December.

* 3300 E. First Ave., northeast corner of First and Cook, 334,000 square feet of office and residential.

* Restoration Hardware – Cherry Creek Shopping Center, in the old Saks Fifth Avenue building, which will be demolished for a new 53,000-square-foot Restoration Hardware with an anticipated opening at the end of 2015.

Cherry Creek North facts at  your fingertips:

* Largest generator of retail sales tax in the city.

* Including the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, the Cherry Creek Shopping District is the No. 1 visitor destination in Colorado.

Restoration is taking over the old Saks 5th Avenue space at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The new location is slated to open in 2016. (Restoration Hardware photo)

Looking for an Easter feast?

Here are just a few suggestions for this Easter Sunday:

Second Home Kitchen + Bar is hosting an Easter Sunday Pajama Brunch that will feature an a la carte menu with classic brunch dishes, bottomless mimosas, and Cherry Creek’s Best Bloody Mary Bar. The Easter bunny will lead egg hunts at 10 and 11 a.m. and noon. A family-style Easter Dinner of three courses will feature a choice of spiced honey and apricot-glazed Berkshire ham, Colorado lamb loin and Harris Ranch beef tenderloin. Second Home Kitchen and Bar is located at 150 Clayton Lane in Cherry Creek North. Call 303-253-3000 for more information or reservations.

Kachina Southwestern Grill in Westminster is serving a Wild Wild West Brunch with family-style breakfast dishes with a Southwestern twist from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Offerings include green chile deviled eggs, piñon-crusted French toast and chocolate chile beignets. Bottomless mimosas and a Bullseye Bloody Mary Bar will be available for $10. Kachina Southwestern Grill is located at 10600 Westminster Blvd. Call 303-410-5813 for more information.

The Fort, the Morrison landmark restaurant, is celebrating Easter with three amazing three-course, pre-fixe menu options. All pre-fixe entrées will be served with a Famous Fort salad to start and a slice of carrot cake with huckleberry cream cheese frosting for dessert. Call 303-697-4471 or visit www.thefort.com/Reservations.htm for reservations.

1515 restaurant will offer its unique ala carte menu or you can build your own prix-fixe menu starting at $30 for three courses.  Kids menu is just $5 for choice of mac & cheese, French toast or chicken fingers.  Adults can choose from Sous Vide NY Strip Steak & Eggs, Braised Leg of Lamb or Lobster Crepes, among others, including a fine choice of sweet treats. Details at www.1515restaurant.com.

Central Bistro & Bar in LoHi will have and all-you-can-eat Easter Brunch for $35 – add  $10 for bottomless mimosas.  For reservations, call 303-477-4582.  And, some of you may have noticed that this year Easter falls on 4/20 – leaving those who celebrate with the big decision to have Easter brunch with family or get their toke on.  Central is making that easy by throwing their second annual “Central Smokedown” porch party on 4/19.  $4.20 drink specials all day, $25 for unlimited roasted hog, sides and fix-ins or $9 for the pulled pork sandy.  Food served beginning at 2 p.m. and live music from The Mike Maurer Band from 3-7 p.m. Details at www.centralbistrobar.com.

Guard and Grace chef Troy Guard’s new downtown steak place, is serving its first Easter brunch from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and valet will be complimentary.  If weather permits, you might even be lucky enough to enjoy the food on their 70-seat patio.)

Panzano chef Elise Wiggins is going whole hog for Easter Brunch with a whole rotisserie pig featured at their roasted pork carving station.  Bottomless Bellini’s are $9 and their brunch selections are mouthwatering with an Upside-down French toast with banana, walnut and caramel sauce or if you don’t do sweet, try the Pastiche with layers of meatballs and cheese tortellini baked with ragu and cinnamon custard in a savory thyme crust.  Details at www.panzano-denver.com.

Lala’s, located at 7^th and Logan in Capitol Hill, will feature brunch favorites with the additions of crab cake benedict, bacon and pecan waffles, Italian breakfast pizza, bottomless mimosas and Lala’s House infused Svedka Bloody Mary.  Hours are 9-2:30 p.m. Details at www.lalaswinebar.com.

Opus Fine Dining & Wine Bar, in Cherry Creek North, is offering a three-course meal for $45 per person for adults and $22 per person for children.  Choose from starters such as a waffle blt with spicy mayo, romaine, tomato jam, bacon or truffled rabbit sausage en croute with dijon shallot salad, frisée.  Entrées include pan roasted halibut and eggs, maple glaze, soft scrambled eggs, capers. Details at www.opusdine.com.

Trillium, in the Ballpark neighborhood, has a special Easter menu with smaller plates that include Beignets and Boompa’s Swedish Pancackes bigger plates that include a Scandinavian Cobb salad and a Croque Madame. Details at www.trilliumdenver.com.

Enjoy an evening of Spanish wines from Curious Corks Imports paired with a tapas style menu prepared by The Inn at Cherry Creek at 233 Clayton St. in Cherry Creek North, beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 19.

Attire is business casual.

The tasting and dinner will be guided by (the marvelous) Danny Keefe, president and founder of Curious Corks Imports. Keefe has loved wine for almost as long as he cane remember, but he never thought that his passion would turn into a career.

Keefe aims to share the wonder of wine with everyone and his philosophy is that there is a wine for every occasion and every palate.

Chef Mike Hendricks from The Inn at Cherry Creek will create a menu of small plates to pair with the wines.

Cost is $55 for members of AWS Denver and $65 for non-members and guests. Tickets are available online only through www.blacktie-colorado.com.

Sure Denver Restaurant Week tempts us to majorly pig out, but Cherry Creek North restaurants are offering healthy alternatives.

Cherry Creek North has partnered with the American Heart Association on an “I Heart Fridays” campaign in honor of Heart Month.

Here are some offers:

* Free chocolate and wine tasting compliments of the Vineyard Wine Shop and Enstrom Candies (major yum!) in Cherry Creek North. The stores are offering tastings of Enstrom Candies (you should be so lucky if it’s the toffee) along side heart-healthy wines (Lambrusco, Cabernet, Port and Late Harvest Zinfandel) from the Vineyard Wine Shop.

* Cooking demonstration at LeCrueset Heart on Healthy Side Dishes: roasted beets. Recipes provided. Beets are often described as Popeye’s power food (and I thought it was spinach!) for the vegetable’s strong folate and betaine content.

* Denver Restaurant Week kicked off Feb. 22 with 12 Cherry Creek North participating restaurants. The restaurants will offer a multi-course dinner for $30 per person. To keep your heart healthy goal, restaurants such as Happy Sushi & Sake Bar is offering Chukka (seaweed) salad, plus Harman’s Eat + Drink is serving chicken quinoa salad.

The full list of participating Cherry Creek North restaurants can be found at www.denverrestaurantweek.com.

Cherry Creek North has partnered with Denver’s American Heart Association to help raise awareness of heart disease. I Heart Fridays is a way to show some love to Cherry Creek North visitors.

For a full list of Heart Fridays events, locations and offers, visit www.cherrycreeknorth.com.

Mariel, the beautiful women’s wear boutique in Cherry Creek North at 3000 E. Third Ave., is having a New Year’s sale from Jan. 2-12.

Here’s the deal:

* Purchase the first item at 10 percent off.

* Second item is 20 percent off.

* Third item is 30 percent off.

* All sales are final.

More information: 303-623-1151.

Feeling like a shaggy dog? No time to take care of your ‘do during the holidays? Need some pampering?

Look no further than this column for a chance to win a blowout and haircut (value $100) from Kacie DeJesus at Mikael Padilla Salon (300 Fillmore St.).

One prize package will be awarded to veteran subscribers to this column, and an additional prize will be given to a new subscriber. If you’re a newbie, sign up to subscribe by Thursday (Dec. 26) to be eligible to win. Winners will be announced in Friday’s column.

To sign up, go to www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker.

To celebrate her arrival in Denver, DeJesus is also running a contest. Whoever brings in the most referrals between now and March 31, will win haircuts for life.

About DeJesus:
A salon owner and dedicated North American educator, DeJesus strives to connect with the stylists she trains while continuing her own learning. She has trained at the Institute of Courage, taken numerous advanced salon courses, and participated in webinars.

As a professional hairdresser, she has compiled an impressive list of credits – her work has been seen on fashion runways, MTV Europe, and multiple photo shoots. DeJesus also designed hair and makeup for the cast of “Rent” in its first year off-Broadway, as well as fulfilling continued requests for her work at Hollywood awards shows.

She recently attended Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2013 in New York styling hair for designer Charlotte Ronson.

Kacie DeJesus, a hair designer for Mikael Padilla Salon, is offering a free blowout and haircut as part of a subscriber contest for Penny Parker’s On The Town column. Subscribe at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker and win. (Mikael Padilla Salon photo)