Savory Spice

For a decade, Savory Spice has sourced tantalizing flavors, herbs and blends from across the globe and sprinkled onto the plates of local Boulder restaurant menus, breweries, food organizations and homes. Whether it’s a new weekly shipment of freshly sourced delicacies or their pulsating heart for downtown Boulder’s restaurant community, Savory Spice’s impact can be detected from a mile away. Follow your nose just north of the Pearl Street Mall and see their charming shop located at 2041 Broadway - chances are…you might smell the heavenly aroma of the shop before you arrive! 

Savory Spice was the brainchild of Mike and Janet Johnson and began as a Denver-based company in 2004. While the parent company itself has grown across the nation, the Boulder shop remains deeply rooted within the small business community. From the highest peaks of the iconic Flatiron view down to the smallest specks of freshly hand-packed spices, Boulder Store Manager, Avery Riffle, and her mighty team love everything about downtown Boulder. Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Avery was immediately drawn to Boulder's picturesque landscape and small-town feel. “The Flatirons continuously keep me in awe of Boulder’s natural beauty. The incredible landscape and the community's commitment to protect and maintain its beauty is inspirational.” 

Downtown Boulder’s “foodie reputation” sweetens the deal for Avery as she grew up in a family that found comfort in their daily gatherings around the dinner table. Avery explains, “In my family, no matter what was going on in our schedules, we would be home by 6 PM for dinner.” Now, she has her own downtown community of foodies who feel the same way. “Everything here is so community-based - that’s what makes the job so special for me!” For the past two years, Avery has prioritized community outreach by partnering with local chefs and restaurants, providing inspiration for quick and tasty meal ideas and hosting food classes and workshops that specifically partner with local culinary schools, food organizations and Boulder County Farmers Market vendors.

Avery likes to describe the shop as the “spice of the dream” in every culinary story - big or small. She notes that Savory Spice is sprinkled all throughout Boulder. “If you have eaten on Pearl Street you most likely have tasted our spices - you may have just not known it!” In fact, their spices can be detected in dishes (and beer) at Boychik (located in Avanti), Piece, Love & Chocolate, Jungle and Barchetta Pizza -  just to name a few. The shop also caters to those who are just learning how to cook for themselves by providing quick and easy dinner recipes through their signature Spice and Easy starter meal kits featuring soups, roasts, dips, desserts or sparking your culinary creativity with their signature herbs and blends. 

“There are a lot of great ways to support Savory Spice," Avery says. “From eating out at downtown’s restaurants, to signing up for our quarterly classes and utilizing our retail spices as a gift option for your fellow foodies.” Beginning your in-home or professional culinary journey doesn’t have to be done alone, the Savory Spice team is prepared to open your senses to a world of flavors while sparking your creative flame. Next time you find yourself exploring off the bricks, allow your nose to lead you into the shop on Broadway - who knows, maybe you will create a dream menu of your own.