Shopping in Colorado
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A
Dragonfly
Cute, casual skirts and sweaters and a small, seasonal selection of accessories make this among the best women's clothing boutiques in Denver. The small label goods from Oliver Sang, Kier + J, and Aude are well selected and classically hip.
reviewed
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B
Pedal the Peaks
This specialist bike store offers the works from mountain- and road-bike sales and rentals, custom-worked cycles, trail maps and accessories. The staff are all hardcore riders, and their friendly advice and local knowledge are second to none.
reviewed
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C
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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D
Arts Alive Gallery
A co-operative art gallery on the Breckenridge main drag featuring local artists and artisans in rotating exhibits, seasonal shows and Second Saturday Breckenridge art walks. They also sponsor a Meet the Artist outdoor art fair in the Riverwalk Plaza.
reviewed
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E
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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F
Between The Covers
With a doting staff, great local reads and creaking floors, this bookstore is a terrific place to browse. For a mean espresso milk shake, go to the coffee counter in back.
reviewed
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G
Cry Baby Ranch
Peeking at the price tags of boots hand tooled with skull and crossbones it's quickly evident that this store is not for your work-a-day cowpoke, but the Western-themed home wears and eclectic, bizarre goods (John Wayne lunchbox anyone?) are a blast to browse.
reviewed
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H
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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I
Ruxton Trading Post
If you have a hankering for some Old West antique trinket - or maybe a new cowboy hat? Stop into this cluttered charmer. They have wagon wheels, old license plates, belt buckles and very cool vintage snowshoes and branding irons. It's a great find for antiquers!
reviewed
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J
Domino
A wonderful gallery of fine vintage furnishings and oodball throwaways that still have artistic soul - like that vintage Sylvania TV, and quirky gifts and cards. They even have scented candles. It's mod, hip, fun and stylish and set in a brick loft. Don't miss it.
reviewed
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K
5 Green Boxes
The sister store down the street sells simple and chic women's clothing and accessories, but this is the place to get a one-of-a-kind piece for your home. From custom remodeled furniture to home items large and small, the aesthetic is classy, vintage and whimsical.
reviewed
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L
Tewksbury & Co
'Colorado's Lifestyle Store' is a real 'man cave' selling hand-rolled cigars (which you can smoke inside!), local wine and fly-fishing trips. The staff is a little surly and the bottle selection is limited, but for a glimpse into the local psyche, it's a worthy stop.
reviewed
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M
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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N
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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O
Commonwheel Artists Co-Op
This is where you can see the work of dozens of local artists at one gallery. There's world music on the stereo, pottery on the shelves, jewelry in the case and some groovy paintings and multi-media pieces on the wall. Sure, the quality fluctuates, but it's a fine browse.
reviewed
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P
Pepi Sports
[AQ: Hi there. missing a rating for this one? Please add.]
Another outdoor outfitter and ski-rental chain. You can rent alpine and telemark skis, Salomon snowboards, and all the gear that goes with them. Great service and a central location make this a solid choice.
reviewed
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Q
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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R
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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S
Magical Scraps
The girliest shop in Breck, and we mean that in the best way possible. Here are printed fabrics, stuffed toys, tot-sized tees, and dresses and hats for mom and baby. Not to mention funky handbags, scarves and skirts, and luscious handmade soap. All of it set in a sweet Victorian.
reviewed
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T
Carvers
A terrific indie bike and ski shop. They have a bit of everything including high-end bikes, boards, skis, boots, camelbacks and disc golf sets (not joking). They do overnight repairs, are just a short walk from the gondola, and offer a better selection than the big conglomerates.
reviewed
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U
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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V
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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W
Burton
Burton, arguably America's top snowboard brand, has a flagship store in Lionshead where you can get all the gear and boards you'd ever want. Our advice? Consider raiding the summer factory clearance sale in the late summer when you'll get at least 50% off last year's boards and gear.
reviewed
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X
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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Y
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