Downtown Business Spotlights

Local is more than a place - it is who we are. Downtown Boulder business owners are passionate, resilient and creative entrepreneurs. They are world travelers and community organizers. They are the connectors, the innovators and the leaders. They are the friends that know you when you walk in the door. Let’s take some time and learn about them. These are their stories.

#LoveTheLocal

Featured Small Businesses

Hotel Boulderado

"The Hotel Boulderado was essential in Boulder’s early development and helped it become the thriving city it remains today. It’s not a building you drive by that you’ve seen in 20 other locations, it’s so unique and such an integrated part of the community."

OAK at Fourteenth

"OAK is defined by three unique features: wood-fired cooking, a focus on American cuisine and a seasonal menu. Our cooking styles are defined by the seasons."

Charlie's T-Shirts

"Boulder is the perfect medium between living in a larger city and still having a small town feel."

“Every day I fall more in love with sparkly things. This business has really developed into my personal passion.”

“Everything is made fresh the day of, and Jay treats every customer like family. Some of the menu items are named after individuals that have been coming here for 30 years."

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is that I can really listen and respond to customers’ needs. What I sell now is completely different from what I sold when I first opened my doors."

Avery likes to describe the shop as the “spice of the dream” in every culinary story - big or small.

Capital One Café

“It’s a space where you can focus on personal or community growth, find ways to simplify your finances, or kick back and relax in comfy spaces - all with your favorite coffee drink and snack in hand.”

More Small Businesses

"First and foremost, our goal is to cultivate a space for the community where everyone feels welcome."

“I’ve run boutiques in LA and New York, but I wanted to return home to Boulder where I had lived most of my teenage years. When I saw Elison Rd. open, I knew it was just what Pearl Street needed - and I knew I wanted to be part of it.”

"Since we began, we’ve brought in a ton of local brands and served as a launchpad for local artisans. We focus on selling Boulder local and Colorado local as much as possible.”

"I fell in love with resale as a career path and lifestyle. I was drawn to the sustainability and the accessibility of fashion through the buy-sell-trade channel. I decided that this was what I wanted to do.”

"With a stunning rooftop bar and multiple levels of open seating, Avanti invites groups to come together in one location while enjoying different meals."

"Art is everything a good brand should be - memorable, shared and valued. This framework is how we approach all of our work."

“When we were designing the brand, we wanted to focus on sourcing from small artisans. Their products carry such a special energy and are infused with so much love and care."

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

“Our goal is to mirror the purpose of the gift. We want to provide a bridge between cultures and offer the opportunity to taste foods from around the world, trying to stay true to traditional recipes.”

Barbara & Company

"We can style you and help you make decisions based on past purchases. Our goal is for everyone to walk out of the store with something that looks good on them and lasts for many years.”

Creature Comforts Cafe

“I felt as if I was ready to act on my dream of opening my own business and was excited to create a space within the downtown Boulder community.”

Lula Faye Fiber

"I had never worked downtown, but I always wanted to. I decided that if I was going to fully commit to my new business, it had to be in downtown Boulder.”

Ana's Art Gallery

“You can walk into my gallery and ask me anything about the pieces, the artists and their stories.”

Bolder Beauty Collective

"For my business, Boulder is the perfect spot. It’s become such a hub for destination weddings, and I’ve been fortunate to build up my reputation as a specialist in that area."

“The concept for my nonprofit is really a love letter to local women artists. I am so passionate about cultivating Boulder’s identity as a creative center."

"Italy’s Dolomites and Boulder’s Flatirons represent similar landscapes, and we wanted to weave ourselves into the fabric of downtown Boulder with our flagship brand store in a way that felt iconic and approachable for all levels of new and seasoned enthusiasts.”

“I view yoga as cross-training for life, which means it doesn’t always need to be extremely intense. It’s a workout for the mind as well as the body.”

The Post Chicken & Beer

“Our goal is to create an amazing customer experience, from offering our own brand of craft beer to providing outstanding hospitality."

Lindsay's Boulder Deli at Haagen Dazs

"I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to transform this place into something special, while still preserving its heritage.”

Rebecca's Herbal Apothecary & Supply

"The store is really a place to get people excited about botanical medicine and inspired about environmentalism. You don’t have to have a background in botany to shop here - we offer something for everyone."

“One of my favorite parts of my job is that I learn something new every day. Even with a graduate degree in gemology, I am constantly blown away by the items that walk into our store."

“We love when customers tell us we are one of their favorite places to shop because one of our main focus areas is on providing personalized customer service. We are able to offer individualized advice and help customers find the best shoe for their needs.”

Frasca Food and Wine

“Frasca is a community-style restaurant. You can come in any day and sit at the bar to order pasta, or you can dine from our four-course menu to celebrate a special occasion."

Organic Sandwich Company

“I wanted to challenge the stigma that farm-to-table had to equal fine dining. You can come to my store with kids or for a quick bite to eat and know that you will be eating high quality, local food without the pressure of a white tablecloth experience."

“We are really a melting pot of Mexican cuisine. We look to Mexican culture to guide our ingredients and style of cooking.”

“Meaningful activity is evidence-based to be a central tenant to mental recovery. By providing a sense of positive purpose to others, Mindful Works can help transform the Boulder community.”

Clean Your Dirty Face

"All CYDF products are all-natural and free of toxins. I am passionate about how important what we put on, and in our bodies, is for our overall health."

"I do believe we can make the world a better place through sustainable eyewear.”

“The downtown businesses dedicate ourselves to creating an amazing experience for locals and visitors alike. It’s such an innovative, forward-thinking town with an emphasis on outdoor activities and healthy living. It is a wonderful place to be, to have a business and to raise a family.”

Starfish Jewelry

"Our mission is to bring in a variety of jewelry lines from individual designers - primarily handcrafted and with a focus on Colorado-based artists. The goal is to really promote the spirit of the artists."

Rooted Craft Kitchen

"We wanted to take the American burger and source it better, make chicken non-GMO and non-hormonal and create recognizable food for our guests with quality local ingredients.”

Christine Marguerite Designs

“Christine Marguerite Designs creates custom jewelry pieces, with everything done in-house. We manufacture all components locally using ethically sourced materials from metals to gemstones.”

Alpaca Connection

"My guiding star has always been the customer - we want people to come into the store and find items they are excited about.”

"Peppercorn is like an independently owned and operated department store on the Mall - we are such a unique space that has remained true to itself for over 35 years.”

"I want to create a safe, calming space where everyone can walk in and feel at home."

Old Barrel Tea Company

“When I first visited the store in New Mexico, I was blown away by how creative, delicious and healthy tea blends can be."

"My role is to support in any operational aspect that I can. We provide everything from lights, fixtures, shelves and more. That’s the beauty of it, this space opens up the door to really focus on what’s important to business - the storytelling and creativity of their brand."

Hurdle's Jewelry

"While there is so much rich history to honor within the business, there are also exciting transitions happening as we continue to evolve.”

“As soon as we moved here, we lived and breathed the Boulder community. With my youngest child attending CU as well, the theme for the store came together."

“Our kitchen staff is 100% female, first-generation Mexican descent. We are incredibly proud of our staff and our ability to deliver authentic, great tasting food.”

“When you purchase items at Gypsy Jewel, you are building a chain from an artist sitting in a shop in Kathmandu, or a weaver in the ancient streets of Riga Latvia. You are wearing pieces crafted from artisans around the world.”

Art Source International

“We now sell thousands of different types of art and puzzles. There are only a handful of antique galleries left in the country, and we are honored to be among the largest with only room to grow.”

"I’m really passionate about women feeling beautiful and radiant in whatever body they're in during their current season. I also strive to help women walk away with affordable, beautiful and long-lasting pieces.”

Two Hands Paperie

“We have grown so much as a store. We sell stationary in the traditional sense like pens, paper and different writing instruments. However, we are also a more general gifts and art supply store."

West End Tavern

"Our most impressive collection is that of our whiskey - over 200 bottles worth. From bourbon to scotch, we have almost any whiskey you could imagine, along with specialty small-batch craft releases.”

Boulder Book Store

“You’re not just there to hear what the author has to say. You are there to engage with the people around you and learn new things about others and yourself. The bookstore is an environment that promotes dialogue.”

Pedestrian Shops

"Our brand really resonates with Boulder because we offer needed functionality with sought-after style, perfect for anything from outdoor recreation to indoor relaxation."

Boulder Olive Oil Company

“I want to use business to foster good in really concrete ways. All Lost City operations donate a large portion of their profits to advancing food security and assisting refugees."

"So many guests have become friends. It's truly amazing! I get to watch guests' little ones grow up right before my eyes. A day at the studio never feels like work."

We've been called

the Happiest Place

in the United States