SOL Mexican Cocina, the Baja-style hot spot that helped anchor a marquee Cherry Creek corner for a decade, has gone dark. A printed note taped to the front door delivers the blunt news: “Due to lease expiration, SOL has permanently closed.” The Cherry Creek restaurant, which opened in 2016 at 200 Columbine Street, occupied roughly 7,500 square feet.
As BusinessDen reported, that sign is currently the only official explanation. The outlet noted the restaurant’s size, tenure, and that the Cherry Creek location was operated by California-based Xperience Restaurant Group. Regional director Chris Lankford declined to comment when contacted, and building owner Western Development Group did not respond to requests for comment.
SOL's site still shows a Denver page
Despite the closure notice on the door, SOL’s own website is still acting as if nothing has changed. The Denver page continues to list the Cherry Creek address, operating hours, and a working phone number, along with menu links and details for reservations and private events as of publication. Those lingering listings can still be found on SOL's website.
Operator and landlord did not provide comment
According to BusinessDen, Xperience’s regional director of operations declined to weigh in on the closure, and a company spokeswoman did not answer emailed questions. The outlet also reported that Western Development Group, which owns the property at 200 Columbine, similarly did not respond to inquiries. With both the operator and landlord staying silent, the short message taped to the front door remains the clearest explanation so far for why the restaurant shut its doors.
Cherry Creek market pressures
Cherry Creek is still one of Denver’s most sought-after retail and office hubs, with low vacancy and high rents that make big restaurant spaces prime real estate. The Cherry Creek Alliance’s Q4 2025 market overview put direct office vacancy at about 1.54%, with average rents around $48.81 per square foot NNN. That kind of tight, pricey market helps explain why large spaces can flip when leases come up for renewal, even for long-running tenants.
A decade in Cherry Creek
The Cherry Creek SOL debuted in 2016 as a coastal, Baja-inspired spot featuring a sizable dining room and event space, according to 5280. The SOL brand later became part of Xperience Restaurant Group, which acquired the chain in 2019, per the Orange County Business Journal. For regulars and neighborhood diners, the closure wipes out a long-standing go-to for coastal Mexican food and events in Cherry Creek.
What’s next for the space
The chain’s Denver page still lists a phone number tied to the Cherry Creek location, and the paper notice on the door continues to cite lease expiration as the reason for the permanent closure, according to the reporting. Hoodline will update this story if Xperience Restaurant Group or Western Development Group issue a public statement or share plans for the future of the 200 Columbine space. Until then, the company’s Denver listing remains live on SOL's website.
