Bar: Soleil
Soleil, 2817 E. Third Ave., is Cherry Creek’s coziest bar and grill, serving up Mediterranean morsels in a room that holds but 30 people and a patio for 20 more. About 10 people can huddle around the bar, watch three flat screens, eat the apps and down the wine. One wall inside is made from wine corks, about 10,000 of them. The patio is a special destination for late-night summer dates. A wood-fired pizza oven gives the joint a smoky feel, along with the tiki torches that face Third Avenue.
Grilled: Frances Owens
Frances Owens met Bill Owens when she was 18. They married six days into her 22nd year. Bill Owens was Colorado’s governor from 1999 to 2007, and the couple separated and reconciled during that time. They divorced last year. Frances, 55, works for the Galloway Group, a consulting firm that advises companies on effective involvement with nonprofits and the community. They have three children, two of whom live at home with her. At 5:15 p.m., she says it’s too early to start drinking.
BH: So 5280 magazine named you as one of Denver’s Top Singles this year. How does that feel?
Owens: Well, I had to ask my daughter first. “What do you think, Monica? Am I crazy or what?” She loved the idea.
BH: How do you like being single?
Owens: It’s different. I guess there are good things and bad things. You can come and go as you please, you don’t have to tell anyone what you’re doing. But then you also do a lot on your own.
BH: Dating?
Owens: I haven’t dated since I was 18, so I’m learning how to date again. It’s just not where I expected to be at my age.
BH: You just turned 55.
Owens: Yes. Thank you for reminding me.
BH: People are interested in you.
Owens: I think people don’t know the private side of me, except for my good friends. I’m a private person.
BH: Well, you’re getting better known.
Owens: It is what it is. Obviously, it’s a little harder at my age to start dating and maybe start over with somebody else. It might happen, it might not.
BH: What kind of men don’t you like?
Owens: Good question. Let me back it up. Let me go to a man I would like. Someone who is really nice, who cares about my kids, who’s just not pompous or arrogant. This is all new territory for me.
BH: Are you still friends with the governor?
Owens: Oh yes. Sure. We were at dinner the other night. If anybody came in and saw us laughing and having a good time, they were probably wondering, “What’s going on here? I thought they were divorced.” We’re friends because we’re friends and also because of the kids.
BH: Where do you like to go for dinner?
Owens: We never went out to dinner much. It’s my first time in this restaurant. It’s darling. I like smaller, quiet places. Lola, Campo, Jing.
BH: Drinks?
Owens: Yes. I go out with my girlfriends, a wonderful group of women. My girlfriends are awesome.
BH: Are they protective of you?
Owens: I think we’re all protective of each other. We take care of one another.
BH: Magazines?
Owens: I read all the Colorado magazines. 5280, Denver magazine, Colorado Expression.
BH: Newsweek? Vanity Fair?
Owens: No, I don’t get those.
BH: You have two kids at home. Does it keep the house pretty active?
Owens: Oh, yes. And I have a dog, a springer that can’t hear. She’s 12 and she just wanders around the house. Hanna.
BH: When you were first lady, did you find the press intrusive with your private life?
Owens: No. I always thought they were great. Never had a problem.
BH: What about books?
Owens: No, I don’t have much time for reading. By the time I hit the bed at night, I’m gone.
BH: Shopping.
Owens: The best store for me is Dillard’s. They seem to have my size, and I just found my favorite things there. But I shop everywhere. T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Kohl’s, Neiman (Marcus), Saks.
BH: Do you have a “look?”
Owens: Probably more conservative. I wish I could be flashy, but I never thought I had the figure to do that.
BH: Preppy?
Owens: Yes, a little.
BH: Music?
Owens: Love music. My kids don’t like it, but I love Daughtry, Nickelback, Seal. And I listen to a lot of religious groups — Cutlass, Skillet.
BH: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Owens: Ouch: 65! Well, hopefully all my children will be married or at least happy, and I hope I have a slew of grandbabies. It would be wonderful to be with somebody.
Conducted, condensed and edited by Bill Husted
