Shopping in Boulder
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Momentum
Owned by Kevin and Jenny Napatow, an enthusiastic young couple committed to socially responsible and environmentally friendly business practices, Momentum is one of those shops that makes you feel good about spending money. It sells the kitchen sink of unique global gifts – Zulu wire baskets, fabulous scarves from India, Nepal and Ecuador – all handcrafted and purchased at fair value from disadvantaged artisans.
Every item purchased provides a direct economic lifeline to the artists.
reviewed
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Boulder Running Company
Boulder's prime center for all the gear and specialty shoes you'll need for running track, street and trails. In fact, there are more trail runners here than we thought possible. They even video analyze your running stride on a treadmill before the fitting, which helps make sure you aren't injury prone in your new shoes (and probably don't hurt the in-sole sales either).
If you want to know when the next foot race or triathlon is on, come here.
reviewed
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Rebecca's Herbal Apothecary
A groovy herbal apothecary where herbs are sold loose, in lotions and in oils. There are aromatherapy cases of tinctures and a library and expert herbalists that can guide you through it all. The western school of herbal thought dominates the thinkspace here. There are also classes available for those who want to learn the basics about herbs, infusions and salves.
And, no, this isn't an outlet for medicinal marijuana.
reviewed
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Common Threads
Vintage shopping at its most haute couture, this fun place is where to go for secondhand Choos and Prada purses. Prices are higher than your run-of-the-mill vintage shop, but clothes, shoes and bags are always in good condition, and the designer clothing is guaranteed authentic.
The shop is a pleasure to browse, with clothing organized by color and type on visually aesthetic racks, just like a big-city boutique.
reviewed
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Absolute Vinyl
Every town needs a temple to vinyl. A place where chilled out musical clerks wipe down wax on Sunday afternoons while listening to classic Memphis blues.Bookworms comb the walls of Little Horse, the shared bookstore, for first editions, young men come here when they're hurting for Smiths records, and there is a paradise of jazz, blues and classical gems. Stay awhile.
reviewed
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Beat Book Shop
Tom Peters is the poet proprietor of this funky pile of consistently brainy, soulful books. We're talking more than 30 Kerouac titles, as well as classics from Ginsberg, Burroughs and (beat-esque) Bukowski, among others. His hours vary but Peters claims to be here from afternoon into the night daily. Well worth a browse.
reviewed
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Savory Spice Shop
Extremely popular in the Denver–Boulder area, this growing local chain is the place to search for a small-batch habanero hot sauce or to alchemize your own spice rub for your self-catering kit. In all there are 140 spices hand blended from mostly organic sources. Plus, it just smells good. The family chef will love it!
reviewed
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Oliv
There are no shortage of cafes and gourmet food shops in Boulder, and this one is easy to miss. Which is a pity as it's unique, with quirky old time decor, specialty foods, fresh baked breads and luscious olive oil, as well as great coffee named in the English-Aussie vernacular. You know, short white, long black...
reviewed
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Bayleaf On Pearl
While the casual observer will quickly note that whoever runs this boutique selling high-end housewares has impeccable taste, the cookbooks and kitchen goods evidence owner Michale Bugermeister's background as a chef. There are cool toys, oversized coffee-table books on German bookbinding and other classy curios.
reviewed
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Pedestrian Shops
Set smack in the midst of the Pearl St Mall, this is where to head for the comfortable kind of footwear that are staples in earthy Bouldertown. Think Crocs, Ecco and less known brands like Dansko, Keen and Born. Find the Last Pair Rack for the best deals, and if you buy two you'll get a third pair free.
reviewed
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Peppercorn Gourmet Goods
One of the coolest stores on Pearl, this kitchen, bed and bath supplier stocks upscale goods, locally produced foods, scores of specialized cook books and enough gizmos to delight a cooking geek. It's a fun place to spend too much time and money. See their website for classes and events.
reviewed
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Prana
Monks chant to the patter of beats overhead as shoppers consider organic-dyed yoga outfits. All the clothes are organized by size – a nice touch – and the signs encourage an awareness of 'cosmic order.' Aside from all this new age excitement, Prana is wind-powered and hosts art events.
reviewed
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Goldmine Vintage
Hot pink fishnets and a purple wig adorn the mannequin in the window of this upscale vintage shop. There are trucker caps, Spinal Tap tees and turquoise cowboy boots. In back, patrons can try on Monroe-worthy gowns under the watchful gaze of a matador painted on black velvet.
reviewed
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CU Bookstore
There are scads of CU merchandise outlets along the busy stretch of 13th St, but this is the school's official outfitter. In addition to textbooks and supplies they have the largest selection of gold-and-black goods of any store in Boulder. Located in the University Memorial Center.
reviewed
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29th Street Mall
This attractive outdoor mall offers all things trendy and corporate. There's Boulder's only Apple Store, a nice Borders bookstore, a multiplex and an indie yoga studio upstairs too. Parking is free and vast, and if you try to avoid it, you'll likely find yourself here at some point.
reviewed
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Cypress Beauty & Co
This Colorado chain offers organic and all-natural botanicals and lotions, soaps and makeups (with a touch of Botox-laced vanity). It sells local eco-brands such as Indigo Wild and the biggies, including Smashbox, and if you need to restock the vanity sack, it's a decent choice.
reviewed
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Weekends
Manhattan fashion is hard to find in Boulder, but Weekends has a better-than-decent selection of Cole Haan leather jackets, Citizens of Humanity denim and some lovely lesser-known styles, including some rather soft fitted tees, alluring beauty products and terrific handbags.
reviewed
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Ginger & Pickles
Tucked into a north Boulder minimall is this high-end toy shop, with all manner of diversions, none of which are digital or digitized. The tots and kids will find things to cuddle, things to build, mechanical things and mind benders too. They even have clothes and books.
reviewed
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Outdoor Outlet
A brilliant business plan and an eager staff make it hard not to cheer for this shop of over-stock outdoor gear. The selection of ladies equipment, cycling apparel and casual clothes might be a bit mismatched, but when you find something that fits, the price is right.
reviewed
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Smith Klein Gallery
Locally owned since its inception in 1984, this conservative-to-quirky gallery is worth a peek for some interesting paintings and the glass, bronze and wood sculptures (we like the ones crafted from vintage car doors). There's hand blown glass and jewelry too.
reviewed
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Boulder Bookstore
Boulder's favorite indie bookstore has a huge travel section downstairs, along with all the hottest new fiction and nonfiction. The attached Bookend Cafe has plenty of seating indoor and out to make it an appealing hangout at any time of day, night, year.
reviewed
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Starr's Clothing Co
Established in 1914 and still Boulder's leading denim resource. This store is damn near warehouse-sized, with all manner of stressed, smooth and relaxed denim. They also carry the odd top end designer label like Southern California fave Free People.
reviewed
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Meow Meow
Pioneering the concept of 'upcycling,' this is the place for unique gifts, art, jewelery and clothes made from reused materials. It has a great local feel and lots of one-of-a-kind accessories for women. The card selection is hilarious.
reviewed
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Posterscene
Iconic images and original show posters from Janis Joplin and Dylan and the Dead make this a rock memorabilia paradise. But it isn't limited to high-end collector's items; it has a clutch of cool, inexpensive reproductions too.
reviewed
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Chelsea
A touch of New York style off the Pearl St Mall, this women's high-fashion boutique has been bringing labels like James Perse to Boulder for ten years, and they still have some of the sweetest, if priciest, threads in town.
reviewed
