In late April, Mel and Janie Master had to close their beloved Cherry Creek North restaurant, Mel's Bar and Grill. Keller Williams' Realtor Walter Weckbaugh assisted the restaurateurs in finding a great location for their two new restaurants.

Several weeks after closing Mel's, Masters were able to open Annabel's at 5960 S. Holly St. in Greenwood Village (the former Ocotillo space) and Montecito South next door at 5970 S. Holly St. (the former Ventura Grill location). The high-end restaurants occupy a combined space of 8,220 sq. ft. and have ample parking for their customers.

"Wally was very helpful in assisting us with finding these great locations for our new restaurants," explains Mel Master. "He helped us negotiate a good lease. Having a lease with reasonable rent and access to ample parking are key to the success of independent restaurants like ours. Business so far has been fabulous."

Weckbaugh is a fourth generation Coloradoan and has more than 32 years of real estate experience. He has been with Keller Williams since 1997 and focuses on commercial real estate properties. Weckbaugh also is part owner of the Keller Williams Market Center in Fort Collins and can be reached at 303-791-1215 or wwalter11@msn.com.

With more than 72,000 agents and franchised Market Centers in 45 states and provinces, Keller Williams Realty International is America's fourth largest residential real estate company. Keller Williams Realty franchised the Colorado Region in 1993 and has succeeded by creating a unique agent-focused model that builds partnerships between agents and local ownership through participation in a life-long, profit sharing program.

In Colorado, the company has 24 locations with more than 3,200 agents. In 2006, Keller Williams agents achieved more than $3.8 billion in sales volume. To learn more about Keller Williams Realty, visit www.GoKellerWilliams.com.

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