Leaders Show Up in Cherry Creek North

By Claire Buchta, Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District
and CWCC Member

Cherry Creek North is no stranger to outstanding leaders. With over 100 businesses throughout the District that have been here for over 10 years, outstanding success could be stamped on our sidewalks. A few women business owners are leaders in the Cherry Creek North community as well as the city of Denver. They are an inspiration to me, not only in business, but also as a woman. Their charitable acts, creative spirits and business achievements make them outstanding leaders that deserve a moment in the spotlight.

Lynda Campbell owns So Perfect Eats, 278 Fillmore. If you have not been to this little bakery and café, please go tomorrow. Forewarning, you will want to go back the next day as well. I am completely addicted to her salads, soups, sandwiches and most of all, her cheesy muffins. So Perfect Eats has been awarded the 2011 Cherry Creek Business of the Year, featured in 5280 Magazine’s Best Breakfast Issue for her delicious scones and in 5280 Magazine’s Top of the Town for her cookies. She is a regular supporter of all local school fundraising efforts, Colorado Shops for Kids, the Starlight Foundation Christmas event, as well as Cherry Creek North’s events such Celebrate Fashion and Food & Wine. Lynda describes how she has made her business such a success over the years, “We believe in quality and the customer. We make an effort everyday to learn not only our customers names, but where they work, what is happening in their lives, and of course, what they like to eat.” Lynda also is a mentor to young chefs through her internship partnership with Johnson and Wales University. Each quarter, she sponsors two interns for eleven weeks. Interns learn the ins and outs of the culinary business from the woman who makes my favorite soup in all of Denver!

Denise Snyder is the fashionista behind Mariel, 3000 E 3^rd. Denise is not only stylish, but extremely caring and brilliant. She dedicates her time out of the store to Volunteers of America, breast cancer awareness, Boys & Girls Club, and Cancer League. She plans countless fashion shows, derby parties, luncheons, and makes calendars for Channel 9. She contributes her success to her parents support and encouragement at a young age as well as her fabulous customers who got her involved in her first big fashion show with Volunteers of America. She said she has met her best friends through her charity work.  Denise is being honored this year by Volunteers of America at the Service with Style Fashion Luncheon on November 14 in the Pinnacle Room of the Grand Hyatt. For tickets and table sponsorships, visit www.voacolorado.org.

Finally, Ellen Durst has owned the Artisan Center for 37 years and is praised by her employees. She describes her store as “a little corner shop that prides itself on being a community gathering place.” If you have ever walked in the store on a Saturday afternoon you would think the whole Denver community was in there! It is constantly packed with people picking out gifts and trinkets from the wide assortment of products. She believes more in making a friend than making a sale, which creates the welcoming environment that keeps customers coming back week after week. She and her staff do small service project together such as Art for the Nations and organizing art supplies to be dispersed throughout need communities. She also donates her unsold items to the Gather Place where kids gift them to their struggling mothers and guardians.

I feel so honored to have met and worked with these inspiring women. They make me want to work as hard as they have to become such outstanding leaders in our community. Cherry Creek North and the city of Denver are lucky to have them!