Top of the Town 2018: Shopping

Kitchenware

Editors’ Choice
Homefest
Warning: If you like to entertain, you’ll want to set aside a portion of your paycheck each month for shopping at this family-owned housewares store in Greenwood Village. Upon entering, we quickly spied no less than three dishware lines we needed pieces from, including gorgeous indigo patterned serving dishes by New York City’s Terrafirma Ceramics as well as understated white soup bowls from North Carolina’s Vietri. The store, in business for nearly a quarter of a century, is dedicated to sourcing artisan wares you can’t buy at big-box stores. It’s the perfect place to find the just-right set you never knew you needed for your next crawfish boil, taco buffet, paella fete, or, heck, Meatless Monday. Because the dinnerware here is its own excuse to party. 5912 S. Holly St., Greenwood Village, 303-741-3920

Readers’ Choice
Sur La Table
multiple locations

Local Women’s Boutique

Editors’ Choice
Judith & Joe
In an era dominated by H&M and Forever 21, Brandee Castle and Sara Graf decided Denverites deserved better than fast fashion. In 2013, they launched Judith & Joe, a fashion truck that stocked responsibly made—not to mention attractive—clothing and accessories. Judith & Joe has since settled into a sunny space in RiNo’s Backyard on Blake. There, you’ll find handmade mala beads from Denver’s DarcMoon; soft and simple T-shirts made in the United States; and unique wares from humanitarian-focused companies, such as stunning jewelry by the Studio Sparrow, which supports and employs survivors of sex trafficking in Rwanda. Plus, almost everything in the store is less than $100, so it’s fashion you and your wallet can feel good about. 3040 Blake St., Suite 100, 720-443-1776

Readers’ Choice
Hailee Grace Boutique
1421 Larimer St., 303-698-2323

Home Accessories/Furniture

Editors’ Choice
Modern Nomad
Should you only frequent furniture stores after moving, remodeling, or redecorating, you’ll welcome the convenience of Modern Nomad. Inside a RiNo warehouse, the eight-month-old design collective is anchored by Modern Nomad Home, an artisan-centric home goods store from the building’s owner, Becky Miller, and features an outpost of midcentury modern bazaar Mod Livin’. The variety—bohemian throw pillows, hammocks, felt coasters, leather arm chairs—offered between them will match any aesthetic. Even if you aren’t in need of a new sofa, there’s always a reason to visit: Permanent vendors Home Fill (a bulk refill station for natural soaps and detergents) and La Lovely Vintage (curated vintage clothing and decor) sell everyday items, while pop-up vendors (such as Young in the Mountains jewelry) keep the curious coming back for another look. 2936 Larimer St., 303-862-5091

Readers’ Choice
Design Repeats
8200 S. Colorado Blvd., 303-670-2900

Antiques

Editors’ Choice
Old Glory Style
Fans of HGTV’s Fixer Upper don’t have to travel to Waco, Texas, to cop Chip and Joanna Gaines’ style. Denver boasts its very own design-minded Texas transplant in Holly Kuhn, owner of Old Glory Style on South Broadway. Since 1997, Kuhn has been expertly curating a rustic-chic collection of perfectly imperfect antiques and vintage-inspired home furnishings. The delightfully crowded shop boasts a trove of one-of-a-kind pieces—from charming antique armoires to modern ceramic dishes. Kuhn sources many of her finds from her home state, specifically at the semiannual Antiques Weekend in Round Top, Texas, where she opened an Old Glory outpost in 2017. See, Denver, not everything that comes from Texas is bad. 1930 S. Broadway, 303-798-4212

Readers’ Choice
Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
11301 W. I-70 Frontage Road, Wheat Ridge, 303-403-1677

Local Jewelry Designer

Editors’ Choice
Ashley Schenkein Jewelry
We first learned about Ashley Schenkein when she crafted an elegant Oregon sunstone engagement ring for our friend. But it’s the designer’s ready-to-wear pieces, inspired by her frequent globe-trotting, that have us stalking her Instagram feed. A trip to Jaipur, India, resulted in an open circle bezel gemstone ring ($68); yellow gold cubic zirconia triangle spike ear jackets ($98) took their cues from Melrose, California; and a tassel necklace ($175) from her recent Telluride collection mixed gray leather, shiny gold links, and tiny labradorite gemstones for a Western-chic feel that perfectly reflects the vibe of the beloved mountain town. Schenkein’s varied and versatile collections prove that, indeed, not all who wander are lost—some are just searching for a muse. 2261 N. Broadway, 720-663-0663
Readers’ Choice
Abby Sparks Jewelry
1320 27th St., Suite G, 303-957-6502

Wedding Gowns

Editors’ Choice
Blue Bridal Boutique
The ideal bridal consultant respects your taste but pushes you outside your comfort zone enough to find the dress you didn’t expect to like—let alone love. The staff at Blue Bridal, inside the Denver Design District, won’t quit until you’re properly Cinderella-ed. When we were digging but not completely sold on a pricey gown with a high neckline and a flowy tulle skirt, our stylist pulled a genius move and put us in similar separates that included a princesslike Jenny Yoo Collection skirt (with pockets!) for $400. (The average sticker price of a gown here is $1,500.) Add in the intimate, cozy spaces, complete with reveal curtains, cordoned off for each group, and you’ll feel like your special day has already arrived. 685 S. Broadway, Suite B, 303-446-2583

Readers’ Choice
Little White Dress Bridal Shop
1130 31st St., 303-814-8972

Baby/Kids’ Boutique

Editors’ Choice
Thread and Bow
Outfitting tiny humans can be a losing investment: Cute kids’ clothes are crazy expensive and simply aren’t going to fit for longer than a few months. Fortunately, you can be practical and still show off a fashion-forward baby by shopping at this nine-month-old pop-up boutique. (Visit its website to see Thread and Bow’s appearance schedule.) Founded by Kate Garland, a mom with a two-year-old, Thread and Bow sells high-end consignment clothes, everything from Baby Gap to Tea Collection, for kids ages one hour to six years. Garland also stocks a few new items, such as winsome bows from Denver’s Sew Loved Co. The best part? Once your child outgrows her current wardrobe, you can sell those clothes back to Thread and Bow and earn a bit of cash for her college fund—or that cute ruffle dress you spy on the rack. 720-331-4607

Readers’ Choice
Wish Gifts
750 S. University Blvd., 303-722-2900

Gifts

Editors’ Choice
Bill’s Sports Collectibles
If you think you’ve bought every thread of memorabilia available for the sports enthusiast in your life, Bill Vizas’ South Broadway store will set you straight. Vizas has been delighting in-the-know collectors since President Ronald Reagan’s administration; his shelves are basically time capsules for nostalgic fans (1979 Denver Bears program, anyone?). Peruse vintage Sports Illustrated magazines, or, as a welcome present for your favorite transplant from the Deep South, purchase a 1974 Atlanta Braves cap. For the modern collector, Vizas stocks the latest card sets and Rockies jerseys signed by Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon. The always-rotating inventory means a trip to Bill’s—and, therefore, your gifts—will never get old. 2335 S. Broadway, 303-733-4878

Readers’ Choice
Wish Gifts

Local Men’s Boutique

Editors’ Choice
Jiberish Flagship Boutique
Inspired by snowsports—a “jib” is anything that can be ridden in a terrain park—Jiberish is becoming a multisport star. Last year, the 13-year-old streetwear company launched a limited collection for the Colorado Rapids featuring hoodies, super-soft tees, and rugby shirts. Earlier this year, the boutique partnered with the Denver Nuggets to release a line celebrating the franchise’s 50th anniversary. Of course, the company, which moved from Highland to a bigger venue in RiNo in 2016, still carries all the urban fashion threads that have made Jiberish popular with Denver Broncos players, members of the Wu-Tang Clan, and pretty much everyone else. We can’t help but root for another collaboration, though. Rockies black, after all, is ideal for streetwear. 2650 Walnut St., 303-339-0346

Readers’ Choice
Bespoke Edge
970-231-4588

Fine Jewelry

Editors’ Choice
Victoriana Antique & Fine Jewelry
Does the phrase “He went to Jared” make you feel like he might as well have gone to Target? If so, visit Larimer Square’s 41-year-old Victoriana Antique & Fine Jewelry. Decorated with fine art and handmade rugs, the shop feels like a relic from an earlier era, which is fitting because Victoriana sells unique, mint-condition pieces dating from the 1800s to the 1960s. Co-owner David Prebble’s favorite items are the rings, which, on a recent visit, included an 18-karat yellow gold stunner set with pearls and diamonds from 1837 ($2,600) and a 1940s-era band with a massive blue zircon stone surrounded by 20 European-cut diamonds ($8,750). Whatever you pick, rest assured you’ll find no mass-produced ornamentation here. 1417 Larimer St., 303-573-5049

Readers’ Choice
Abby Sparks Jewelry

Place To Go Shopping

Editors’ Choice
Stanley Marketplace
Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace has earned its reputation as a foodie destination thanks to Annette, Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen, the Infinite Monkey Theorem, and others. But we love it equally as a hip mall. In one afternoon, grab the perfect baby shower gift at Little Wolf, a children’s boutique; stylish shoes for men, women, and children at Goose & the Goat; gizmos your budding engineers craft themselves at MindCraft Makerspace; and just-because chocolates for your co-workers at Miette et Chocolat. Every shop is independent, meaning you’ll always find something unique. And if you need a break during the middle of your spree, consider a pedicure at Base Coat Nail Salon, a 30-minute facial from Clementine’s Salon & Skincare, a kickboxing class at Fly Kickbox, or…you get the point. 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora, 720-990-6743

Readers’ Choice
Stanley Marketplace

Consignment Store

Editors’ Choice
Affordable Consigned Furnishings
Its name might lull you into thinking this 18-month-old spot is dull. Far from it. First of all, the furnishings are contemporary, quality, and inexpensive—a consequence of most of the items having lived former lives as props for real estate companies (you don’t sell houses with shabby-looking sofas). Although each visit turns up new finds, you can always count on surpluses of big and small pieces, from sectionals to knickknacks. What makes an expedition to this place even more exciting is the pricing system: If an item sits in the showroom for more than a month, the price drops. After two months, it falls again. It’s a chancy game of decor roulette—one sure to have you placing regular bets. 2777 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton, 303-721-1800

Readers’ Choice
Design Repeats

Accessories

Editors’ Choice
Kismet
We find it nearly impossible to leave this 12-year-old Highland boutique without buying a pair of Ayala Bar’s dreamy collage-inspired earrings or a delicate sterling silver necklace from local artist Mercer and Jayne. We blame owner Shana Colbin-Dunn, whose past life as a wholesale rep for small jewelry artisans in the Rocky Mountain region has her perfectly positioned to exploit our weakness. Feeding our addiction at Kismet feels good too: Colbin-Dunn’s mission is to instill an aura of happiness in her stores (Kismet also has locations in Lowry and Cherry Hills), in part by stocking wares that are distinct and relatable. Plus, because a portion of each month’s sales goes to a nonprofit (this month: Denver Urban Gardens), you can’t help but feel swell about every purchase. multiple locations

Readers’ Choice
Hailee Grace Boutique