Shopping & Services

The idea of a stranger digging ink-soaked needles into your skin for hours at a time can be scary, so you have to find comfort where you can when getting a tattoo. Kitchens' Ink provides this comfort through its name, which nods to the coziest room in the house. "It's where everybody hangs out. I liked how personable it is and the easy access the name gave," says owner Joe Manley, who got the idea for it while tattooing a friend in his kitchen. Not everyone gets the pun, and during its first couple of years in business, the shop received countless calls from people looking to buy kitchen supplies. Eight years later, Kitchens' Ink is well known, and clients feel right at home here.

A one-stop shop for all-organic personal care, Vert Beauty knows that a happy customer is a conscious one. Opened just a few months ago, the Highland shop has already cornered the market on a long-awaited necessity: all-organic, cruelty-free, responsibly sourced bath and beauty products for men, women and children. From fragrances for the home and body to moisturizers, sunscreens, skin tonics and the latest in makeup trends, Vert carries the same products as a department store, but all from ecologically responsible sources. The staff has decades of combined experience in the cosmetic industry, plus a wealth of knowledge on the latest in sustainable beauty trends, and they're happy to walk customers through new beauty routines. Vert also offers on- and off-site makeovers, makeup tutorials and wedding and special-event consultations.

How best to keep tabs on the inevitable road closures and accidents in winter? You could wade through ads on commercial radio in hopes of catching a traffic update. Or you could whip out your phone and check the Colorado Department of Transportation's Twitter account, where the agency posts regular updates on interstate and surface road closures throughout the business day. @ColoradoDOT is short and to the point, with the latest information on closures and delays caused by various acts of nature (and out-of-state ski-trippers) crammed into 140 characters or less. The best part: Unlike radio, Twitter works in both directions, so the department's social-media managers can (and do) answer questions directed at them. Just make sure to pull over before whipping out your phone: You don't want to be the subject of the next tweet.

In the age of so-called affordable care, we like the idea of checking with a nurse about what the doctor is or isn't telling us. Centura offers one of several nurse hotlines in the area. Unlike Denver Health's round-the-clock operation, the Speak to a Nurse Hotline is available just twelve hours a day, but if you're calling during business hours, you can generally count on the friendly, accessible manner of the knowledgeable staff, who boast an average of 22 years of experience.

Early this year, Denver County Court opened a Civil Self Help Center in the City and County Building, staffed by a bilingual attorney, to assist the beleaguered in navigating the forms and processes for self-representation in small-claims matters, protection orders, evictions and more (but no legal advice allowed). Add to that the self-help centers for probate, domestic relations and juvenile cases, and the do-it-yourself litigant has a good chance of asserting the right to a fair hearing.

You say "po-tay-to," I say "po-tah-to": Do you ever get into this type of spat with your search engine? Now, thanks to the Denver Public Library, there are live librarians at your fingertips, via the library's ASK US! 24-hour chat service. All you need is your computer and questions that need answering, and they'll expertly guide you through the process of finding the answers. More than just a standard homework-helper line, ASK US! is a also gateway to databases not available on the web, shared with one-on-one instruction, any time of day or — you know who are — the middle of the night. Sometimes the human touch really does make Internet research easier.

Over the years, the Denver Public Library has added an impressive array of adaptive technologies to assist the visually or hearing impaired and others, from equipment that magnifies reading materials and computer screens to a printer that produces text documents in Braille and scanners that convert print to spoken words. Best of all, much of the new equipment can be found not only at the Central Library, but at several branches, too. Add personal listening systems, sign language interpreters, homebound programs and more, and the idea of equal access to information for all moves that much closer to reality.

The Harm Reduction Action Center served injection drug users long before syringe exchanges were legal by providing them not only with clean rigs to help them protect themselves and others against disease, but also with education and classes about how to break free of their addiction. Because of this, the organization has built trust with a population that is skeptical of the medical establishment. In addition, HRAC organizes voting drives and protests; collaborates with artists on multimedia projects; and conducts cutting-edge training — something that has also given it a respected voice at the State Capitol.

The Internet is great for lots of things, obvi. But did you know it can also help you avoid STDs and baby-making? Condomfinder.org, a website backed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, uses Google Maps to plot all the places in Denver (and several other cities around the country) that give out free condoms. Just enter your zip code, and the site will direct you to the nearest rubber repository. So the next time you're in the mood but out of jimmy hats, whip out your smartphone — and avoid the clap.

From steel studs to shell plugs, Sol Tribe is the place to fill your body-modification needs. The shop carries a seemingly endless selection of body jewelry in all shapes, sizes and materials, including gold, silver, bone, glass, wood, stone, shell and stainless steel. But staffers don't just sell the hardware; they install it, too. Owned by Alicia Cardenas and Kevin Strawbridge, Sol Tribe specializes in all types of body modification, from tattoos and piercings to scarification and branding. No matter what type of body jewelry you're looking for, this is the place to find the widest variety and one-of-a-kind pieces.

We've been collecting salon names around the globe, but aren't about to split hairs. For pure existential panache, it's hard to beat Hair and Now — which is very much in the now in Aurora's Fairways Shopping Center.

Dispensaries with music-related names just make us happy. That's why we've had two Grateful Dead-themed winners in the past and why we're going with Trenchtown, a Bob Marley-inspired shop, this year. As the wise Rastaman once said, "One good thing about music — when it hits you, you feel no pain." Unless, of course, you're smoking poorly grown weed, in which case you could end up with a scratchy throat or headache. Not the case at Trenchtown, where Marley himself would have been feelin' irie over the quality of buds available.

The Colorado Joint Replacement Center sounds like a stoner's dream, but the orthopedic surgery center near the University of Denver is talking about a whole different kind of joint.

Medical marijuana patients designate dispensaries as their primary caregivers in exchange for the right to grow six of their own plants, and it's nice to get something in return. The Herbal Center does right by its patients, who get at least 10 percent off retail pricing on herb, edibles and concentrates as well as a $225 cap on ounces. The store also offers daily deals like Wax Wednesdays — when you can take $5 off the per-gram price of hash — and free-joint Fridays. But what really stands out is the giant prize wheel, which can be spun by patients who spend $35 or more. Prizes range from free THC suckers and $5 coupons to an eighth of herb from the $25 economy shelf or a card punch worth $25. It's like the stoner Price Is Right.

While some edibles companies have been busted in recent months for selling pot-infused foods with little to no actual pot in them, Incredibles chocolate bars always pack the full punch advertised on their packaging. The bars contain a range of THC concentrates, including icewater hash and CO2-extracted oil. What the Lakewood company doesn't use is alcohol- or butane-based extractions — just natural cannabis and a lot of rich chocolate. Consistently dosed and delightfully downable, these are the chocolate lover's edibles.

Chocolate guru Julie Pech gave talks on the health benefits of chocolate for years before finally opening her own gourmet chocolate-and-coffee shop in downtown Littleton. And the Chocolate Therapist has been such a hit that she's now moving into franchising. You can count on the chocolates and toffee to be handcrafted in small batches on the premises, without artificial flavorings or dyes. You can also rely on them to do what comes naturally, according to Pech: relieve stress and create a relaxed sense of well-being. Check out the line of wine-pairing chocolates, then savor the sweetest bit: A portion of all sales goes to aid children's programs around the world.

Of all the concentrates we sampled last year from medical dispensaries, one batch of shatter stood out as the strongest, most flavorful of them all — which shouldn't be surprising, since it came from one of the oldest and most widespread concentrate companies, Top Shelf Extracts. The amber chunk of Kandy Kush was very clear, very clean and very tasty. The oil burned with a kushy, earthy flavor on a hot titanium nail, and small, BB-sized dabs were enough to put us right for a couple of hours (though the mouth-watering taste dictated that we take two dabs at a time). Founder and hash wizard Daniel de Sailles has stepped up his game over the last year or so, and we see more and more top-quality hash oil on the shelves being produced by TSE.

If you looked up the definition of "masculinity" in an ancient Viking text written by a drunkard, it would most likely describe the steaming chunk of man-meat that is Zac "Bear Man" Maas. His rugged good looks do him well as a budtender at the Releaf Center, where the eligible bachelor woos the ladies day in and day out with his silver tongue and knowledge of fine cannabis. "Some men teach their sons to shave, others teach them to be men," he once told us. Listen to more words of wisdom from this handsome fellow on the Whiskey and Cigarettes podcast, which Maas produces every week with comedian Jake Browne.

While some people would say that "hotness" is purely on the outside, we find that true beauty comes in the form of intelligence, knowledge and compassion. The good news is that Chanel Wing fits both descriptions. The dark, cat-eyed Wing gave us a detailed rundown of nearly every strain on her shelves during our visit to Lush last year, and sold us completely on her cannabis-nerdery. But it's also worth it just to stop in for quick bag of herb and a flash of her warm, radiant, welcoming smile.

If you're a stoner skier or boarder, you've probably done this at least once: walked out the door and left your bag of herb sitting on the counter next to a freshly poured travel cup of coffee and your season lift pass. You can replace the pass and get more coffee at the base of the mountain, but that herb? Stop off at Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine, near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and I-70. The log-cabin shop looks like a ski chalet from the outside, but inside you'll find a solid collection of organic, soil-grown medical cannabis and a special selection of kushes and OG hybrids, including a phenomenal White Fire OG that will quickly take away the aches and pains of a hard day charging on the mountain.

Rules established by the Colorado legislature generally prevent marijuana stores from advertising on TV, and most broadcast stations are being ultra-cautious about considering such business, regardless of the time of day. But Mile High Pipe & Tobacco has found a way to share its highly potent message on late-night cable without causing the city's social fabric to fray. Recent sassy clips, including a Christmas spot featuring a particularly hazy-looking Santa, showcase glamour shots of Mile High's "glass with class" in a wry but restrained manner unlikely to offend anyone burning the midnight oil, so to speak. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

The premise of These Things Matter is simple: Denver-centric celebs join hosts Taylor Gonda and Kevin O'Brien to talk about something or someone in popular culture that changed their life. Gonda and O'Brien steer conversations in unexpected directions, as well-known folks such as OpenAir DJ Alisha Sweeney and comedian Adam Cayton-Holland join in with personal anecdotes about topics like Weezer, Jack Kerouac and Planet of the Apes. The broad-spectrum banter attracts music nerds, cinephiles, literary geeks and TV junkies alike and makes for unique, thought-provoking episodes. These Things Matter is a listenable podcast for many reasons, but it's Gonda and O'Brien's rapport that provides the show's seamless flow. Find it at thesethingsmatterpodcast.com.

Listeners can usually guess what talk-radio hosts are going to say by which station employs them: Yakkers at conservative outlets will hit the typical right-wing buttons, just as those on liberal broadcasts can be relied on to promote left-of-center talking points. But while Gloria Neal is currently employed at a progressive-dial spot, her wide range of experience on radio and TV — she's worked at KOA and the local Fox outlet as well as CBS4 and the Denver Post — helps her avoid the usual stereotypes. She's more common-sense than doctrinaire, and that makes her show entertaining and informative for a wider range of listeners than is usual in this genre.

Once upon a time, Jim Benemann was a new kid on the Denver TV-news scene. But after briefly leaving the market, he returned to fill the CBS4 anchor chair in 2003, and in the decade-plus since, he's grown into his role, providing much-needed gravitas when the subject is serious, but shifting easily into avuncular mode once the mood lightens. Unlike many of his peers, who are usually better at one of these skills than the other, Benemann is an all-purpose anchor with an accessible persona built for the long haul.

Back in the days when Denver was a two-newspaper town, 7News was the odd station out — the only one of the traditional big-three network outlets that didn't have a content-sharing agreement with a Denver daily. As such, the station developed a scrappy, chip-on-its-shoulder attitude that's still part of its culture today, even though, in a notable role reversal, it's the broadcaster currently partnering with the Denver Post. The news at 7News tends to be harder, the investigative pieces more substantial, and the on-air personalities, led by Anne Trujillo and Mike Landess, solid and professional enough to reward viewers who schedule time to tune in.

Whereas too many TV stations are boys' clubs when it comes to weathercasters, 9News is the opposite, with longtime star Kathy Sabine supplemented by a supporting cast that includes Belen De Leon and Danielle Grant (plus token guy Marty Coniglio). As a result, Becky Ditchfield sometimes gets overlooked. But she's been a steady presence since joining the station in 2007, and her forecasts are notably B.S.-free. Rather than making every storm system that comes through town seem like a snowpocalypse, she delivers meteorological information in a straightforward, low-key way that's more about helping people get through their day than about sparkling for the camera.

How did Corey Rose ever decide to go into TV news? Her glamorous look makes her seem more like a model, a spokeswoman, or one of those actresses who always seem to travel with their own personal wind machine. Her flowing locks, which appear to encompass all the colors of the follicle rainbow without looking bizarre, are so lush and lustrous that they cry out to be whipped around regularly, Willow Smith style. See if you can work that into the next newscast, Ms. Rose. We'll be watching.

One of the busiest reporters on the local scene, Justin Joseph keeps most of his hair close-cropped — so it doesn't start going wild when he's doing a live shot in gale-force winds, for instance. But lest you think he's too square, he rocks a cheeky peak up top to let you know he's hip, he's happening, and he isn't afraid to have a little fun when the subject strays from death and destruction. Fox31 has long been Denver's leader when it comes to TV dudes' coiffures (here's looking at you, Phil Keating!), which makes Joseph the station's hair apparent.

For three decades, Shotgun Willie's was housed in an unflashy little building next to the Glendale Target parking lot, entertaining the masses as only Shotgun Willie's can. But in 2013, the owners of the gentleman's club decided to replace the droopy old digs with firmer ones. Set back from the street, the new building is bigger and fancier but still manages to look a little retro (sort of a '90s look, rather than the '80s-style aesthetic of old). Shotgun's also acquired a new sign a little while back — an exaggerated version of its limp-shotgun logo. We hope those lights stay lit for a long time.

You might not know his name, but you've seen Kevin Hennessy's hand-painted work both inside and outside of City, O' City, Nooch Vegan Market and Cafe Europa. In fact, his high-style handwriting is everywhere, proving that commerce-oriented art doesn't have to be a graphic-designed mess. From the simple restroom signage at Adrift Tiki Bar to the vertical announcement of Ironwood's presence on burgeoning South Broadway, Hennessy's expressive calligraphy is subtle but comforting, a throwback to a time before computer-generated banners and pixelated signs.

Wanna take a spin in the Ghostbusters Ecto-1? How about Scooby-Doo's Mystery Machine? When Colorado Movie Cars hosts its annual haunted-house tour/fundraiser, you and your friends get a VIP ride and extra-special treatment at four of the area's scariest haunts, followed by a cruise around the city that will having strangers snapping pictures on every street corner. And while you can't climb inside during the rest of the year, the various Colorado Movie Cars can be rented as outdoor centerpieces for events and parties, so if Herbie or KITT are closer to your ideal wheels, this fleet of film fanatics has got you covered.

Named one of Westword's 100 Colorado Creatives, Kalina Ross is a superstar at making everyone a part of her parties. A former partner in Urban Cipher, a group supporting entrepreneurial activities through events featuring local small businesses, Ross branched out on her own for the holiday season with the Night Fair Before Christmas, an all-ages music-, art- and merchant-oriented winter gathering and craft fair. During the summer, she's been known to open up her back yard on select Sundays for the Love Buzz Patio Cafe, a micro-eatery she runs out of her kitchen and staffs with her two daughters and mother. A cornerstone of Ross's work is the idea that children are the future, and she includes the little ones in every event, brunch and party she throws.

It's never cold and rainy at ROCK'n & JAM'n, which means that parents and kiddos can enjoy the indoor climbing gyms virtually anytime. For those ages five to eighteen, programs range from parent-child bonding classes to competitive climbing courses. Whatever you choose, it's all about technique — something that helps youngsters develop fine and gross motor skills while building confidence. Both gyms also offer introductory classes for adults, and there are auto belays for families with limited climbing knowledge.

Janet Casson, a New York expat, has brought her unique, Brooklyn-bred music classes to Denver. Instead of just teaching kids how to play music, she focuses her Rocky Mountain Aardvarks classes on showing them how to love it. In the process, youngsters — and their parents — learn new ways to express themselves.

Designed by landscape architect Kerry White, this custom adventure playground delivers one of the most unique and eclectic diversions around. The theme is grounded in nature; even manufactured equipment is wholly designed with the goal of giving children control over their play experience via fun features like a boulder labyrinth, a climbing wall leading to a whimsical treehouse, and a sand play area complete with water pump.

Give a little, get a lot: That's the thinking behind Arvada's Global Goods and Coffee Shop, where the coffee is fair-trade and merchandise sales benefit the nonprofit Global Refuge International, an organization providing aid to victims of war, disease and disaster in undeveloped nations. Along with the java, Global Goods offers an ever-changing selection of Burmese and Ugandan craft goods, including baskets, paper-bead jewelry, handbags, beaded cards and more, alongside a selection of donated items for resale, from gently used home accessories to vintage goodies. We love that the business spins goodwill in so many ways — supporting charity, recycling used goods, supporting global microbusinesses and, last but not least, providing patrons with the caffeine buzz they need to get through the day.

Housed in an old South Broadway Denver Square, incaZteca develops business relationships with artisans in Mexico, Guatemala and Peru to bring beautiful handwoven items, tooled leather accessories, alpaca rugs, embroidered bags, carved gourds, beaded jewelry and folk art galore to its shelves. The woven alpaca hats and scarves are reason enough to visit the shop, but anyone who wants a little color and cultural authenticity in their lives will stick around a while longer to check out the toys, ornaments and whimsical novelties.

Going to the neighborhood drugstore is already practically a thing of the past; even rarer is the experience you'll find at the Family Pharmacy, where you can buy a bottled soda from an old-fashioned red-enamel Coca-Cola cooler and stock up on Beanie Babies, Precious Moments figurines and whatever other high shlock your heart desires. The shop is a working pharmacy, as well, but its stature as an unintended socio-anthropological museum makes it a guilty pleasure for anyone's incorrigible inner hoarder.

In every venture they've taken on, it seems that Tran and Josh Wills have tried to combine their many interests — fashion, design, art and lifestyle — into a well-displayed gestalt of what's ultimately cool in modern times. But this new incarnation of Super Ordinary, located in hipster marketplace the Source, is that model's most sophisticated manifestation. Partnering with Bryan Cavanagh and Pedro Barrios, the Willses now have a space with an interlocking but split personality: Monthly art shows go up and down in the gallery, while patrons of the Source's eateries and artisan food shops can stroll through a design-savvy, curated selection of home goods, gifts and books in the retail space. If this is Super Ordinary, the everyday never looked so good.

Our favorite stores share one thing in common — that they are not common in the least, and Curating the Cool might be the most unusual of them all. That's because the (obviously) curated consignment shop and dumpster-diver's paradise is the ultimate curiosity shop, a mash-up of new and old, including original artwork, oddities, clothing, homemade preserves and body scrubs, antiques and any kind of rare collectible your heart could desire, all mixed up in an ever-changing order.

Antiques dealer Eron Johnson had spring fever early last year, and the Valverde Bazaar was the serendipitous result, a gathering of a select group of creative friends — and their creative friends — for an outdoor market like no other in the metro area. Modeled after London's Portobello Road, where, Johnson recalls, "you never knew what you'd see in the next booth," Valverde is a beautiful blend of quality vintage goods and antiques, high-end flea-market chic, open-air art show and craft fair, all put together with an eye for unique and well-made merchandise. The only problem? Growing pains. Look for the market to divide and multiply in 2014; the first date is May 17.

The best thrift stores are geographically removed from the gaggles of hipsters who peck otherwise decent shops into oblivion, and the ARC Thrift Store on Cortez is just such a place. Here you'll sift through endless racks of well-organized clothes, much of it fashionable; neatly arranged furniture; shelves of books you might actually want to read; and row after deep row of smartly arranged tchotchkes, cookware, picture frames and more. One of the best things about this ARC is that while you're there, you can put together a care package for a faraway friend and walk to the conveniently located U.S. Post Office next door and send it off.

The wayback model at Cedar & Hyde is the general store, which was once the hub of every whistle-stop, where folks went to buy everything from barrel pickles and lengths of muslin to big-city bonnets and sacks of flour. But nothing's outdated at this shop, which sisters Christie and Poss Lambert call a "modern-day mercantile." The Lamberts start by catering to every member of the family in a neat shop with a rustic feel, stocking clothing for kids, men and women, including sturdy jeans, and things for the home, from sweet handcrafted bronze garden foxes to wooden bangles, jars of artisan pickles from the Real Dill, beard oil and ikat cloth napkins. And it works.

The record store isn't dead — it's alive and well, and Twist & Shout has the legacy to prove it. This Denver institution has moved around the city a few times since its 1988 birth, but several key elements remain — notably, a dedication to stocking shelves with rare and radio-friendly cuts, and a healthy selection of music-related books and band merch. Twist is also known for its deep connection to the local music scene, running an efficient consignment system for up-and-coming-bands and employing many an area musician over the decades. Weekly specials give music fans a chance to purchase limited-edition releases, and the shop's commitment to in-store performances proves that Twist & Shout has its finger on the pulse of the people.

While their iconic craft and clothing stores didn't singlehandedly bring the bustle back to Broadway, Matthew Brown and jaime Jennings's Fancy Tiger mini-empire certainly led the way. The couple saw the potential of the Baker shopping district and ran with it, and both stores have grown comfortably into the rhythm of the street. Brown's clothing-and-accesories boutique exudes a hipsterish elegance and sense of design that can't be copied, while the craft shop spearheaded Denver's whole handmade scene with fabulous fabrics, books and notions, as well as classes and crafter nights that have helped build a strong, arty community.

Part of South Broadway's appeal is its length: Cut up into one distinct shopping oasis after another, all the way south to Englewood, it's an urban silk road of industry and quirky businesses that one could easily spend a full week exploring from end to end. Baker is a jewel box of singular shops — Lowbrow, Fancy Tiger, Buffalo Exchange, Ironwood and Sewn among them — while farther down the drag, Antique Row offers its garage-sale flavor and fabulous finds. Other groupings pop up toward the outskirts of the city, where you'll fine shops like the Concoctory hackerspace, craft and fabric store Treelotta, Angelo's CDs & More and the time-honored veteran Kolacny Music. Give your regards to Broadway.

The Tattered Cover started a new chapter this year when it gave up a floor in LoDo and moved most of its offices to the Colfax location. But there's still plenty to love in this store, a true oasis on the edge of the 16th Street Mall. The setting alone — a turn-of-the-last-century warehouse building with high ceilings, big windows and creaky wooden floors — is reason enough to stop in. But the Tattered Cover gives you plenty of reasons to stay for hours, with a still-substantial collection of new books, a friendly staff that will help you locate anything you can't find, and lots of cushy seating where you can enjoy magazines and snacks from the newsstand and coffee shop. With many independent stores closing the book on the business, the Tattered Cover is a true treasure. And come this summer, we'll have another gem: a satellite TC location just a block away, in Denver's revived Union Station.

A Capitol Hill staple, Kilgore offers a fabulous, neighborhood-friendly selection of used books for the best prices. The titles are hand-picked by owners Luke Janes and Dan Stafford, who specialize in offbeat fiction by the likes of Kerouac, Bukowski, Vonnegut and Palahniuk, as well as a wide range of tomes on philosophy, the occult, metaphysics and science fiction. Kilgore is also the place to find all manner of independent comics and zines from local artists.

Year after year, the Boulder Book Store stands out as a must-stop shop for anyone meandering the Pearl Street Mall. An intriguing layout makes browsers feel like they're in an old library, while the endless selection — books line every wall, table and empty space — could waylay a shopper for hours. There's just something about climbing the shop's steep, creaky stairs to the top floor, rounding a corner and picking out the perfect book from a floor-to-ceiling shelf that no amount of online ordering can match.

Shop owners no longer merchandise their shelves; they curate them. And Lon McGowen of Boulder's LON Little Shop might just be the most particular curator of them all. He's got a knack for making a tiny closet of a space look somehow airy, using a cocktail of spare, smart design and a handpicked selection of perfect items to make it so: One-buck French throwaway pens and pencils, colorful plastic KeepCups from Australia, easy gold jewelry, linen kitchen towels, herringbone baseball caps and anything else that says "hipper-than-thou" without being loud about it. There are also a few ingenious LON store-label items tucked into the mix, such as the magnificent LON Little Speaker, a two-inch-square wireless cube you can take with you wherever you go. All of this plus McGowen's secret retail coup — affordable prices! — make LON Little Shop a must-stop when strolling the Pearl Street Mall district.

What is a maker? It's a relevant question in these times, when everyone wants to be a creative and has access to the tools — from a basic laptop to a sewing machine — to do it. The Concoctory was concocted to help define the art of making, and it does so in a variety of ways — beginning with its role as a DIY supply shop for craft kits, electronics parts, tech toys, soldering irons and 3-D printing services, and amping it up as a hackerspace that you can join for a minimal monthly fee that includes 24-hour access to a variety of tools and equipment. The Concoctory also hosts weekly open-house hack nights and workshops addressing everything from lock-picking to working with Arduino technology. Stop thinking, start making: The Concoctory is the perfect place to start.

There is so much stuff in the world that doesn't rot away overnight. The planet is overflowing with it, and landfills can't hold any more. But Spacecraft, which calls itself a "creative reuse store," has found a niche in rescuing at least a tiny portion of usable junk for upcycling by crafters and artists. Think of it as a craft-supply thrift store that also offers classes for all ages; a membership in the volunteer-run concern will get you extra perks like first pick of new items and a free class every month. Spacecraft also invites environmentally concerned companies to trade in their office junk for a free artifact handcrafted from their donated detritus of pen caps and tape-dispenser rings. The shop won't take all of your expendables — there's a detailed list of what they do and don't accept — but in terms of helping to clean up the world, it's a step in the right direction.

We gave Laurie Hessemer an award five years ago, when she ran New Era Paint in Lakewood; now she's back with Casa Verde, a paint emporium that's 100 percent environmentally responsible, a plus in these health-conscious times. Specializing in green building products that ensure safer homes for families, Casa Verde stocks only predominantly VOC-free, non-toxic house paints in a rainbow of colors, along with plaster, stains and sealants that will all have you breathing easy.

A lamp made from a stack of old books. A suitcase repurposed as a side table. A vintage TV upcycled as another, with a glass case for storage. These are just a few of the ways Kristine Hatanaka of Stina fancies up her vintage finds for a second life. Other pieces she simply refinishes or sells as is, and the shop also displays new art by locals and such new items as bath products and knitted accessories. Whether you're actively looking for funky repurposed furnishings or just hope to happen upon something completely different, Stina is your place.

Go Green Warehouse is a home handyperson's dream, neatly packed with new, secondhand and reclaimed building materials, tools and appliances. The home-improvement store also offers gently used furniture at a nice price and everything the do-it-yourselfer might need for an indoor or outdoor beautification project. But it isn't just Go Green's emphasis on recycling that makes it special; the renovation superstore is also a nonprofit, doing business as the Veterans Entrepreneurial Trust, an organization that provides financial backing to other nonprofit veteran ventures. Check out Go Green Warehouse's stock year-round — inventory rotates with each season, offering everything from gardening supplies to snow shovels — and know that each purchase you make benefits a growing community.

You've gotta have a niche to keep your business alive in this mean old retail world, and Treelotta's is quilting, but not that old-lady quilting of yesteryear. On the heels of the crafting renaissance, quilting's become hip, not stolid, and Treelotta's got the modern printed fabrics, along with the know-how, to bring the craft full circle into the 21st century. Offering classes for all ages, as well as equipment rentals — a favorite is the shop's long-arm quilter — and weekly sewing nights (rent or bring your own machine) where you can stitch and bitch with others of your needle-nutty ilk, this is one fabric store that takes life one block at a time.

It's not that everyone in the world really needs a monster to love, but the story of this father-and-sons cottage business seals the deal. Ray Tollison and his twin boys, Ben and Sam, have teamed up to cut, stuff and sew up their own line of adorable fabric-and-felt monsters, and they do so with intent: For every Monster to Love sold, an equally adorable twin monster is automatically donated to a child in need somewhere in the Third World. Love is real, even when it comes by way of a huggable creature; kudos to the Tollisons for their crafty and philanthropic venture.

"Friends. Mountains. Love. Radness." That's the credo of Adam Sikorski's Coloradical, which he started as a line of Colorado-centric hand-stenciled T-shirts four years ago, and a recurring theme in his Coloradical merchandise, which more often than not includes images of snowcapped peaks, sunshine and the joys of living in the woods. In those few short years, as he's added new designs, hats and other printed goods, it's morphed into such a solid business that Sikorski was able to open his own retail shop, which doubles as a workspace, last fall on East Colfax Avenue. Coloradical's success no doubt has something to do with the easygoing message it delivers.

The rollout of the state's brand-new "brand" last year, frequently mistaken for a triangular green hazmat sign, has made us all appreciate the continuing surge in popularity of the Colorado state flag and its simple elegance. And what better way to wrap yourself — or at least your noggin — in the flag than with a well-knit beanie, handmade right here in Colorado by Coloradans? Colorado Beanies are a new product line from the folks at Olde Man Granola; these brain-warmers are available online and at various stores from Lone Tree to Silverthorne that specialize in civic pride.

Samuel Schimek's I Heart Denver perennially makes our Best of Denver list because Schimek rocks a retail model like no other, merchandising all-Colorado-made goods like art on the wall — which, at IHD, it often is. The artists and designers represented on the shop's shelves receive a generous 70 percent profit from sales of their work, and locals and out-of-towners alike can go home with Denver curios that are neither junky nor trite. It's a bold way to do business in a downtown mall, and kudos go equally to Schimek's sharp eye for fun Colorado-made merchandise and the Denver Pavilions for supporting the retail of the future.

Starlet the boutique has been a part of the Highlands Square landscape for years, and the more recent South Broadway edition has become a Baker staple. But the Highland store's Shoe Closet, a space within the space that has its own entrance, is still a novelty that hasn't worn off, stocking its hidden shelves seasonally with the cutest secret kicks ever. It's spring, ladies: Time to go open-toe, and you'll find just what you need at Starlet.

Located next door to the craft boutique Rakun, Niche has become exactly what its name implies, bringing a fun mix of vintage clothing and furniture, knickknacks and more to the teeming gallery district on Santa Fe Drive. And along with the old, Niche weaves in a thread of the new and near-new, such as patterned winter beanies repurposed from sweaters and beautifully patchworked wool-and-flannel Mama's Mittens. Rakun and Niche Market are the one-two punch on the north end of the Santa Fe drag.

SecondLove is everything Goodwill is not: NOT picked over, NOT dowdy, NOT worn out and NOT out of style. But like your neighborhood thrift store, this Highland resale shop, which is run by sisters, caters to everyone — men, women and kids — and carries not only clothing, but home goods and vintage furniture. The difference is that it's lovingly, pickily curated and includes a selection of new jewelry and gift items from local vendors, all chosen with an eye for quality and longevity.

As a Coloradan, sometimes you need to define both the mountain yin and urban yang of our lifestyle, which is exactly what 32nd West strives to do. A cousin of Evergreen's Boone Mountain Sports, this shop interweaves the active and the urban as suits its citified location, offering chic city wear alongside sturdy backpacks, sunglasses and classy, comfy boots for high-country excursions. Sporty and unpretentious, 32nd West goes both ways.

We took note when Boulder's Common Threads resale boutique opened a Denver annex a few years ago. But early this year, the upscale recycler took advantage of a vacancy next door to expand. That means that Common Threads can now also expand its already stellar easy-urban clothing racks to include the athletic wear and outdoor apparel that Coloradans are always looking for. In a world of rising prices and a new appreciation for repurposing and reuse, the move cements the boutique's place as a stalwart to count among South Pearl Street's row of classic shops.

Customer service is a distinguishing factor in the success of any boutique, and at Zoe's, it's clearly understood, because along with the West Wash Park shop's racks of high-end reruns, there's a personal touch you won't get just anyplace. The perks at Zoe's, the brainchild of mother-daughter Zoe and Harper Mance, include estate-liquidation services, closet consultations and a personal-shopping option, all for the asking. The Mances will also come to your home or office, by appointment, to buy your elegant castoffs and — this is our favorite — will host private shopping parties during which you and your friends can have the whole place to yourselves. Refreshments are part of the deal: Think Escada and piña colada!

If you're going to rock a look, men, you might as well do it right. Steadbrook, located in the hipster heart of the South Broadway shopping district, is your go-to when it comes to polishing yourself up, 21st-century style. What's good about it? Skinny pants, button-down shirts in subtle prints, earthy shoes, down-with-it headwear, masculine cosmetics and excellent man bags, to name a few things, but there's also a certain something in the careful curation of Steadbrook's merchandise — something skateboardy and street-elegant (yes, you can buy a skateboard there) — that lifts the cool right out of the air and slaps it down on your body. That much awesome comes at a price, but the way you'll feel walking out of the store with your new purchase is worth every penny.

Downtown Louisville is a sweet drag to explore anytime, but the recent debut of Found Above Ground, the menswear companion to the street's longstanding women's basement resale shop, Found Underground, makes it just that much sweeter, because, hell, yeah, men like to shop, too. Well, some of them. And even the naysayers who order their chinos twice a year from Land's End or sheepishly allow their women to dress them might find the store's curated clothing stash a reason to change their ways, because the prices are just that good, considering the quality of what's on the racks. "It's a really cool mixture of retro to vintage to cowboy cool to really chic Ralph Lauren cashmere coats," says Above Ground owner Lia Cooley, whose mother, Nancy, is the tasteful force behind Found Underground. But you'll also find trendy new items, from mustache wax to bow ties, and the store hosts monthly art shows featuring local artists. At Found Above Ground, shopping 'til you drop is a manly occupation.

Highland's Goldyn boutique has carved out an unusual niche since it opened a few years back, bringing up-and-coming and established designers to Colorado through its high-profile trunk shows. But what really sets the couture hub apart from the commercial pack is its thought-out collaborations with local artists. Photographer Kristen Hatgi-Sink has designed store windows for the shop, which has also exhibited her work. Goldyn also hosts regular shindigs where guests can peruse the latest in global fashion from Helmut Lang, Cartel Noir and Lizzie Fortunato while enjoying live music, expertly mixed cocktails and the occasional palm reading and manicure. Light-years ahead of the retail game in Colorado, Goldyn is more than just a store; it's a platform for art of all mediums.

Branding itself as the "revolutionary garment district" of Denver, Fashion Design Center Denver may only be a few months old, but the concept was a long time in the making. Westword's 2014 fashion MasterMind Lisa Ramfjord Elstun has long been an active participant in the local couture scene, but she saw the need for a place where up-and-coming designers could find everything they needed to create, produce and sell their own brands. Fashion Design Center Denver was born in late 2013, with Ramfjord Elstun at the helm and a handful of other Mile High fashion experts, such as Tricia Hoke, April Hoy and Stephanie Ohnmacht, all working to strengthen the connection between the designer's sketchbook and the showroom floor.

The hip boutiques that now proliferate on South Broadway and all over town clearly learned a few lessons from Stephanie Shearer and Chris Bacorn, who opened the Capitol Hill boutique Pandora an incredible twenty years ago, and its man-centric companion, Soul Haus, five years after that. Their formula of fashion, handcrafted jewelry, locally sourced vendors, retro cool and an appreciation of funnybone-tickling novelties ever changes...yet somehow never changes. Here's to twenty more.

Have truck, will travel: Adrian and Desiree Gallegos-Barragan first took to the roads in their plaid-painted Denver Fashion Truck last spring, driven by a stick-to-it spirit and a sense of adventure. Since then, the boutique-on-wheels has become a drive-up presence in trendy neighborhoods and at special events all over town. What makes the truck so darn great? Curation, for one thing: There's only so much you can stuff into a truck and have it look good when the crowds come filing in, and the Gallegos-Barragans' mix of hip, locally made clothing and accessories, vintage pretties, home-design items and just plain fun stuff seems to come together perfectly every time, in just the right amounts. Where's the Denver Fashion Truck going to park today? Keep up with its travels on Twitter, where changing locations are posted regularly.

Stu and Nicky Alden of the Ink Lounge, an Overland screen-printing and design shop, threw their first Holiday Mancraft in 2011 as an alternative to the female-centric craft markets they'd participated in as both vendors and customers. In doing so, they tapped a whole new holiday clientele — guys who love to swill a little beer while shopping and are maybe looking for something handmade for their man caves. To be fair, Holiday Mancraft also attracts gift-buying women and couples — its selection is just that egalitarian and downright good — and because of its unique appeal, the market has grown larger each year. This December's promises to be the biggest yet: Ink Lounge, which is moving to larger quarters itself, is still looking for the perfect space for Holiday Mancraft 2014.

When it opened in 1990, Cherry Creek Shopping Center looked like any other suburban mall — except that it was planted firmly in the city. Now, nearly 25 years later, the place has transformed itself into an ever-evolving mecca for shoppers from around the world, offering everything from Anthropologie to Z Gallerie. It has all the normal trappings of an indoor mall, but Cherry Creek steps up the game, with upscale dining options and an area devoted to recharging your phone or getting a little R&R away from the mall madness with plenty of plush seating. Did we mention that it has valet parking, luxury restrooms and two Starbucks locations under one roof?

Lo, the eternal question in a snowy state as to whether shoppers like outdoor merchants or enclosed malls. Part of the answer can perhaps be found at Aspen Grove, which has been successfully running with its open-air atmosphere for more than a decade. The center includes a diverse selection of shops in a sprawling space directly across from the light rail's final southern stop. Whether you're a sexy lady looking for killer duds at Hot Mama or a healthy type in search of protein powder at GNC, the Grove has you covered. The recent addition of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has upped Aspen Grove's attractiveness, giving us all the more reason to hit up the outdoor complex on a Friday night.

After more than thirty years, it was a blow to both the young and the young at heart when Kazoo & Company finally closed its doors in Cherry Creek. But the store's legacy lives on both online, where you can still buy hundreds of toys that are both entertaining and educational, and at Denver International Airport, where an offshoot of the original is going strong. Although the selection at DIA isn't as vast as what you'll find on the website, this Kazoo is still packed with games, gizmos and gimcracks — more than enough to ensure that you'll find the perfect toy for the kids back home. And if you're traveling with your family, Kazoo & Company is a great place to eat up time during that unanticipated flight delay.

Forget to grab a gift for your big or little sports fan? Stop by Elway's, the fourth outpost of the popular steakhouse, which opened last year on the B Concourse at DIA, and your spirits will soar: The restaurant sells hats and shirts, not to mention steak seasoning, all adorned with the Elway's logo and guaranteed to send the forgotten one back home into 7 heaven. He'll never suspect that you picked up his present at the airport.

Safe manicures in a posh but inviting joint are Base Coat's specialty. This modern take on the classic nail salon is unique for many reasons, but its big draw is an emphasis on safe, healthy alternatives to conventional manicure products. Base Coat uses all-natural cuticle oil, lotions and scrubs made by local eco-conscious beauty company R.L. Linden; acrylic nails and gel manicures are a no-no, and all polishes used are free of the ultra-toxic "big 5" — formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP and camphor. But Base Coat is also an art gallery; owner Tran Wills incorporates Denver-connected artists into each venture she oversees.

Denver has seen many sex shops come and go, but one of the mainstays of the kink and leather scene has been the Crypt. Once you're past the bondage gear, though, you'll discover a treasure trove of sex toys, lubes, condoms and safer sex gear for the wild — or mild — side.

Expert and novice witches, nondenominational spiritual types and folks just looking to load up on incense and essential oils can count on Herbs & Arts for the best selection of otherworldly tools and supplies, as well as the guidance of a staff dedicated to the many realms of ritual. Established in 1993, Herbs & Arts presents a welcoming environment and is stocked with reasonably priced crystals, how-to books, healing herbs and more — as well as the hands-on knowledge of tarot readers and magical beings skilled at deciphering the most complex of astrological charts.

There's something magical in the air in the Golden Triangle, ever since Matt Jaramillo, aka magician Max Mago, and artist/collector Kristine Hipps opened Mago's Magic Shoppe. For one thing, locals no longer have to ask themselves, "Where can I find myself a magic wand, trick deck and no-tear toilet paper in this town?" Check, check and check. Mago's also offers one-of-a-kind curiosities, vintage magic posters and comic-book novelties.

Whether your thumb is as green as the Emerald City or you want to learn how to plant your first seed, take a trip to City Floral, Denver's oldest working greenhouse. Other greenhouses smell like Monsanto; when you walk into City Floral, you breathe sweet, fertile air perfumed by a jungle of indoor and outdoor plants nourished by the sun beaming in through the greenhouse roof. Walk over to the seed racks and pick out a few of the hundreds of varieties. Browse the impressive array of potters, indoor and outdoor plants, gardening tools, chicken feed, organic fertilizers, wind chimes, hydroponic supplies and more. Questions? City Floral's knowledgeable and energetic staffers are always happy to chat about your plants.

It's big, it's bold, and for nearly fifty years, this family owned establishment has been both a neighborhood staple and a regional destination for anyone and everyone, from the guys looking for the cheapest fifth available or a 24-pack of party beers, to party planners who need five cases of reasonably priced cabernet, to wine, spirits and beer geeks seeking the latest hot bottle or offering from the newest Colorado craft brewers or distillers. In 2008, Argonaut Wine & Liquor decided to expand dramatically, but it stayed in the same gritty location, helping to revitalize the block around it while adding to its already massive selection. The store also hosts frequent charity drives and off-site tastings that benefit local nonprofits. And that is something to toast.

On your way to a blow-out bash? Dinner soiree? Wedding? Funeral? Tupperware party? There's a liquor store — sometimes dozens — in every neighborhood to fill your box or brown paper bag with spirits, suds or syrah. But for a liquor store that delivers superior service, deep knowledge, fair price points and a wonderfully curated selection, the deceptively small Little's Wine & Spirits knocks it out of the park. If you're on the hunt for an obscure bottle of juice from a boutique vineyard, an impossible-to-find-elsewhere six-pack of terrific beers or a thoughtful recommendation on whiskey, vodka or gin, this shop's ambassadors should have the answer — and if they don't, they'll go the extra mile to find whatever you're in the market for. The beer "cave" is a thing of pure beauty, and the informally educational — and free — beer and wine tastings, which take place every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m., ensure that you won't leave without a bottle or six to add to your home stash.

When you're counting up Denver's liquid assets, Mr. B's should be at the top of the list. Over the past two decades, Ballpark residents have changed from winos to wine connoisseurs, and brothers Scott and Jared Blauweiss's shop has something for every taste and price point. Although Mr. B's has a full liquor license, the wine selection is particularly good — and a good deal — and the super-friendly staff is ready, willing and able to pour out helpful advice. The store hosts regular wine tastings, and, as a bonus, you earn points every time you buy.

Founded nearly twenty years ago, the Denver Bread Company still wows with its array of chewy-crusted European-style loaves. Even if you arrive late and the racks are mostly empty, there's a lingering smell from the ovens to tell you that what's happening here is the real deal. The best remains the boule, a slightly sour, crusty round loaf with petal-like scorings in the flour-dusted top. Made with bread flour, organic whole wheat and organic rye, the loaf is just as good toasted with butter and jam as plain, which is how you'll eat it standing in the storefront, nibbling on a wedge while you decide what else to order. Will it be the tangy kalamata sourdough? The Gorgonzola or olive focaccia? Or maybe a bag of shortbread cookies with dark chocolate and tarragon. You might be tempted to go home with one of everything, but loaves aren't cheap — so be prepared to hand over some dough for your dough: The Denver Bread Company doesn't take credit cards.

Unlike many of the markets that have sprouted up across the metro area, the Boulder Farmers' Market is truly a farmers' market, a place set up so that local farmers can sell their goods and customers can meet the people who produce their food. You can stop by a stall and ask the farmer why your raspberries at home are dying, how he cooks chard or how his crops were affected by last year's flood. You can discover new and interesting vegetables you'd never find in the store, like small creamy-white eggplants or the huge, delicious, pale-lilac variety called Violette di Firenze; the market also features amazing plants to put in your own garden. Not a vegetarian, but don't want to feel guilty about eating meat? The ranchers and chicken farmers will describe in careful detail the lives of the creatures they raised — none of which suffered the way commodity animals do. Buy duck or duck eggs. Try goat. The market also boasts, among many other things, baked goods and toffee, great coffee, salmon, bread, honey and jams, soaps and flowers. And as the summer unfolds, you'll find — more or less in this order — strawberries, apricots, plums, peaches, raspberries, crisp apples and succulent pears.

Every year, Matt Aboussie goes to Alaska's Bristol Bay — the world's largest sockeye-salmon run — to fish for salmon, and then sells the delicious, omega-3 laden fish at the Boulder Farmers' Market: flash-frozen, hand-cut, boneless, skin-on fillets; smoked salmon flavored with peppercorns or dill; a fine silky lox. Aboussie is almost always manning the stall, and if you stop to buy and chat you'll find out he's passionate about a couple of things besides fishing. He's evangelical about the movement to protect Bristol Bay from mining for copper and gold — "These fish are the ecological heartbeat of one of the most pristine and valuable regions on the planet," says his vivid, beautifully designed website — and he also loves to cook. Not only will he share any culinary discoveries he's made, fishy or otherwise, but he's also interested in how you'll cook your salmon (very briefly, we'd suggest, and without smothering the clean taste under a lot of other ingredients).

At Broken Shovels, there's no hiding where artisanal cheeses ultimately come from. Andrea Martin's working goat farm is the backdrop for her weekly Sunday on-farm markets, where tours of the goat pens and sheds go hoof-to-hoof with the merchandise — creamy, beautifully crafted kheer-flavored yogurt, Ethiopian spiced logs, Camembert rounds and cognac Banons wrapped in grape leaves, that Martin makes and packages herself — throughout the summer, and again for fall holidays. While you taste the cheeses and sample goods from a couple of other vendors, Martin will even grill up tasty cheese-and-jam sandwiches over a wood fire. But right now is the time to meet the babies at Broken Shovels, where spring has sprung and the adorable kids and fancy chickens are hopping all over the place. It's a joyous rural experience for grownups and kids — human kids — alike, and it's only fifteen minutes from downtown Denver.