After five years and a price reduction of more than $2 million, former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer finally sold his mansion in The Reserve in at Cherry Hills last week.

The home, which sat on the market for several years even after Plummer invested in a $1 million makeover, sold for $2.55 million to Carla G. Shankle, according to Arapahoe County public records. The original asking price was $4.6 million, and Plummer paid $2.7 million for the home in 2004.

The home, which I toured after the remodel, sits on a 2.81-acre lot. It’s 7,433 square feet with five bedrooms, seven and a half baths, a pool and tennis courts.

The Broncos traded Plummer in 2007 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he opted to retire instead. He lives in northern Idaho with his former Broncos cheerleader wife Kollette Klassen and their child, but I’m told the family is moving back to Colorado sometime in the fall.

A large life

Denver’s theater community lost one of its true pioneers with the passing of Bob Garner on July 19.

The public is invited to honor his life and times during a celebration 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, in the Seawell Ballroom at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

To RSVP, go to rememberingbobgarner.com. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to consider making a donation to Project Angel Heart.

Que sabroso!

Al Lado, the latest creation from prolific chef Richard Sandoval, is now open at 1610 Little Raven, right around the corner from Zengo, another Sandoval site.

A gal pal and I gave the lovely Latin tapas and wine bar a taste test Tuesday, and we found it to be a neighborhood gem with a solid wine list and scrumptious snacks.

There are 24 wines by the glass — half- or whole-glass pours — plus five sangrias, beer and specialty cocktails.

“This kind of scene was not represented over here,” said Bob Bonner, director of operations for Richard Sandoval Restaurants, about why the company decided to open the place.

The cuisine is called “global Latin” with all small plates meant for sharing. We tried olives and almonds; dates stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon; albondigas (meatballs); sizzling rock shrimp; and flatbread with arugula, fig and jambon. Delicioso!

Sam’s No. 3 will have three

Sam’s No. 3, the popular diner with locations in Aurora and downtown Denver, is taking over the Sam Taylor’s BBQ building at 435 S. Cherry in Glendale.

Negotiations started in January, but the deal was inked last week. Patrick Armatas, one of the Sam’s owners, said the building will undergo a six- to seven-month construction.

“The building was tired,” Armatas said. “We’re gutting the whole thing. We’re just keeping some of the walls and the roof. This will be the crown jewel of the Sam’s No. 3s.”

After a 15-year-run, Taylor opted to retire so he and his wife can travel, Armatas said. When the new Sam’s opens, diners can expect to see the same primarily Greek and Mexican menu served at the other two locations.

Pasquini’s new place

Tony Pasquini, owner of three of his namesake restaurants, will open another pizza spot in the old JR’s space on 17th Avenue in uptown. He expects the place, which will be called Pasquini’s 17th, to open in October.

Le Creuset store coming to Cherry Creek

Le Creuset, a specialty French cookware manufacturer best known for its colorful cast iron products, will be the latest tenant to open at Fillmore Place between First and Second avenues on Fillmore on Aug. 24. The fancy cookware store signed a lease for a 1,528-square-foot space, which will be Le Creuset’s first full-price, single-branded store in Colorado. Stuart Zall of The Zall Co. represented the landlord, and Lisa Streidl represented the tenant in the deal. Le Creuset will join other newcomer Jonathan Adler, a new-to-the-market home furnishings and decor store, in Fillmore Place. Zall also represented the landlord, and Erik Christopher of David Hicks & Lampert Brokerage represented the tenant. With these leases in place, there is one remaining empty space in Fillmore Place, which is owned by Realty Management Group.

Mike Blake, spokesman for Cherry Creek North, points out that nearly twice the number of businesses have opened than have closed this year, which was the case in 2011 as well. Currently, the vacancy rate for retail is 7.2 percent, which is the lowest it has been since 2008.

The highest vacancy rate of 13.6 percent occurred in 2009.

Wedding bells

Denver socialite and philanthropist Lisa Williams is engaged to marry prominent vision correction surgeon Larry Spivack (whose office is in Centennial). No wedding date set yet, but Williams told me that the committed couple is house hunting. Congrats!

BBQ in Parker

World-class barbecue teams and nationally known musicians will cook and kick it in downtown Parker Labor Day weekend for the Fourth Annual Smokin’ Brew BBQ.

The three-day event begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, and runs through 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Parker Station, 19751 E. Mainstreet.

The Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event is expected to draw thousands to downtown Parker to eat awesome barbecue, listen to great music and watch the 60 competitors from five states vie for $7,500 in prize money and a year of bragging rights.

Entertainers over the three days include the nationally recognized Catfish Kray Blues Band, the Blue All Stars, Denver’s Reckless Red, the Indulgers, Black Jack Canyon Band and the Ashley Buchart Band.

The Smokin’ Brew BBQ is put on annually by the CCV Rotary Club of Parker to benefit local and internationally charities. For more information, call 303-304-8085 or visit www.smokinbrewbbq.com.

Penny Parker, who also writes for Blacktie-Colorado, gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. She can be reached at parkerp1953@gmail.com or at 303-619-5209.