Talking Shop

Perhaps you spent too damn much money this holiday season. Or maybe you didn’t, and it’s driving your shopaholic soul crazy. It could just be that you’re already committed to the newfangled concept of renewable shopping and plan to start the new year off by doing it more conscientiously than ever before.

Whatever the case, it would do you good to drop in at Bizarre Bazaar — a Tenn-Low hole-in-the-wall down the road from Regis University, at 4986 Lowell Boulevard — that sells gently used clothing, furniture, locally made jewelry and a handful of true and pristine vintage garments, including such gems as a Jackie Kennedy-channeling white wool shift with openwork sleeves. No coincidence: Owner Wendy Steinway, who recently celebrated the store’s first anniversary, actually dressed up like Jackie last Halloween and says she grew up in a house where the glamorous former first lady was idolized. There’s even a pile of period Look and Life magazines dedicated to the Kennedy mystique for sale (or wistful perusing) in a corner of the neatly laden shop.

Steinway, a longtime worker in the non-profit realm, opened Bizarre Bazaar in a carryover spirit of community and giving: What makes it work is people, who are invited to bring in their castoffs, taking advantage of a fifty-fifty consignment arrangement, but also to trade for or buy reasonably priced rags (which are actually in tip-top condition). A recent spin through the store unearthed luxurious piles of silky scarves and winter sweaters, embroidered velvet jackets, pretty pumps and trendy handbags, from a stock that’s always changing.

Bizarre Bazaar is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; for details, visit www.bizarreboutique.net or call 303-458-1174.
Jan. 11-14, 2009