Cherry Creek Shopping Center Presents Community First with Lex Atencio of John Atencio
A Cherry Creek Fashion Brand Partnership
Presented by Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Lex Atencio of John Atencio
Shopping centers like Cherry Creek fuel the local economy and help our neighbors and our community get back to work. With over 3,000 employees from the Denver area, Cherry Creek Shopping Center wants to thank you for putting our community first and supporting those that live and work in it.
This month, Cherry Creek Shopping Center launches the Community First initiative which includes shining a spotlight on the wonderful employees at various brands and supporting charities and organizations in the community. In part 3 of our 8-part weekly Community First Series, we feature Lex Atencio of John Atencio. Cherry Creek Shopping Center will be making a $1000 donation to the charity organization Denver Active 2030 on Lex’s behalf.
Cherry Creek Fashion: You’ve worked at John Atencio at Cherry Creek for 10 years, what’s your favorite thing about working here?
Lex Atencio: I actually began working in Cherry Creek at Elway’s in 2004, where I valeted for 10 years. It was there that I began to forge relationships with customers that live and frequent Cherry Creek. It’s amazing to continue my career inside the mall as I have fostered those relationships from parking their cars to making memories in the forms of jewelry. The trust and service are the same whether someone is handing me their car keys or asking me to build a ring. I take great pride in the valuable friendships and bonds that have grown during my time working in Cherry Creek.
The mall is filled almost exclusively with big, national, and international brands; very few locally owned stores like John Atencio. It’s amazing to be on that shortlist, while also being surrounded and inspired by the major companies that occupy most of the mall. To be able to provide our award-winning jewelry to what is arguably the biggest mall in a several state radius is pretty special.
CCF: How long have you lived in the Denver area, and what do you enjoy the most about living here?
LA: I have lived in Denver most of my life, excluding stints in San Diego and Belgium. I was born at Rose hospital and grew up just blocks from the mall. I have plenty of memories of hopping fences, sneaking through doors, and getting into all kinds of trouble as a kid on mall grounds. It’s a blast to continue to grow up and become an actual functioning member of the place that was essentially my playground.
CCF: When you are not at work, what are your favorite things to do?
LA: When I’m not at work? I don’t know this phrase, I’m always here.
CCF: Are you involved in any community organizations or charities in the Denver area?
LA: I became a member of a charity organization two years ago called Denver Active 2030. It is a completely member-run organization of young men in Denver between the ages of 20 and 39. We are devoted to raising money for at-risk and underprivileged youth in Denver and surrounding areas. Last year we raised almost $2 million that we grant to various organizations to help kids. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever been a part of.
CCF: In addition to John Atencio, what are your favorite stores and restaurants to visit at Cherry Creek?
LA: I have a soft spot for Elway’s of course. I was hired as a busboy when it was still being built, and I actually started valeting before I officially had a driver’s license. I met my girlfriend (soon-to-be-fiancée, don’t tell her) there when she was a hostess. That’s all well and good, but the food is excellent as well, so it’s hard not to love.
Additionally, my older brother’s first job was as a projectionist at the movie theater upstairs (now AMC, but formally Mann). I have lots of memories of exploring the projection room and watching movies I definitely was not allowed to see at home. A few times, my brother would flip a cardboard box on me and I’d crawl around in the ticket line with a note on the box that declared me “BOX office”. Also, endless popcorn and winning stuffed animals at the claw machine; pretty tough to beat as a 12-year-old.
Part of the bittersweet joy of growing up here is seeing all the changes in tenants; the excitement of some new, big-name store, or the sadness of those that left (looking at you FAO Schwartz and KB Toys). I remember when there were working fountains inside the mall, when center court was a pit that had stadium seating, and when we had a Rainforest Café. But that theater is one of the few constants that have stuck around. So while it makes me sound old (I’m 31 for anyone trying to do the math in their head), I enjoy having that nostalgic mainstay.
CCF: What’s your favorite motivational quote?
LA: I am the darkness. I am the night. I. AM. BATMAN.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center: @cherrycreekshoppingcenter // shopcherrycreek.com // 3000 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206