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Cherry Creek

I REMEMBER the Cherry Creek Sidewalk Sale from the eighties and nineties. The grid of quaint boutiques and galleries had a charm all their own. The neighborhood would come alive in such a wonderful way. Lots of people would come out of nowhere and the avenues were filled with the hustle and bustle of people jostling for space, all there to find a good bargain.

It was quite a contrast to the more usual sophisticated restraint of the boutiquey streets. Of course, back then, a certain art-y vibe balanced out the overall sophisticated air of the neighborhood. The twin losses of Cooks Mart and Tattered Cover have certainly left their void. I love cooking and I love reading, so without these two little nooks in the neighborhood, something seems to be missing and there is not much drawing me there anymore. Plus, the vibe has turned too commercial.

It had been years and years since I was at The Sidewalk Sale. But this year, I went. No longer stopping by Marry Simmons for bargain prices for girly children’s Florence Eiseman dresses, and with Tattered and Cooks Mart long gone and nowhere to be seen, I just figured I would meander on the streets for a bit. It was too hot for a hike, so a brief shpatzir in the neighborhood seemed like a good idea.

Well. I’m here to tell you one thing: Cherry Creek is still the same. The Cherry Creek Sidewalk Sale is still as fun as ever! It is almost like an outdoor community summer party.

Clusters of candy apple red balloons adorn every store shop. Huge white tents were set up for all the boutiques’ sale merchandise that is now all out on sidewalk tables, and countless children were manning lemonade stands. The bargain hunters faithfully turned out for all the 75% deals to be had. The buzz in the air audible.

And the cafes with sidewalk seating were filled to capacity with overflowing chatter. Cherry Creek was alive!

A COUPLE of days before the sale I was at Canyon Creek and Table Rock Mountain area near Golden on a lovely hike and light dinner by the whooshing stream. There are so many wonderful little hikes to hike here. It is so cool to live here and to know you are hiking on the Continental Divide.

To see the sweeping views of the jagged, rugged, reddish and sometimes pink peaks, or the outstanding natural architecture of table rock.

To gather handfuls of clusters of wild mountain flowers flourishing in the sun.

To walk across a little wooden bridge that leads you to your climb. or hiking trail.

In short, it is so wonderful to take advantage of the summer beauty and opportunity of summertime in Colorado. It’s amazing to have nature at our fingertips here. To beat the crowds, and instead interact with nature herself.

But sometimes being in the hub of an outdoor crowd, even if you don’t know anyone there, feels great and alive and summery too. And that, reader, despite all the changes, I am happy to say, Cherry Creek still has that going for it.

Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News



Tehilla Goldberg

IJN columnist | View from Central Park


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