Best Spot to Get Lei'd 2007 | Little Grass Shack | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Spot to Get Lei'd

Little Grass Shack

In Hawaii, flower leis are used to celebrate everything from pre-school graduations to parole-board hearings. But while islanders can buy leis from the local Wal-Mart, here at 5,280 feet the fragrant tropical necklaces are hard to come by. So praise Pele for Little Grass Shack, which sells everything from fresh, single-strand leis and kukui-nut wristbands to Maile vine braids and the Christina Lei, composed of 1,000 tightly woven orchid petals. Maile Inagaki runs the company out of her home but delivers all over the metro area. Just say "Aloha!"

Best Place to Buy Your Freak Flag

Heaven Sent Me

Heaven Sent Me is the de rigueur destination for Pride weekend, but it's also open year-round for all your GLBT needs. Owner George Blackert has assembled scads of multi-hued cards, gifts, magazines, bumperstickers, flags, clothing, jewelry and boy toys, all of which burst forth from every corner of the store. Just be sure to stop shopping long enough to pet George's sweet store puppies, Sasha and Talia. And if you live too far to take the Yellow Brick Road to South Broadway (or you're just a big pillow queen), Heaven Sent Me offers convenient online shopping at www.heavensentme.com.

Best Cop Shopping

Colorado State Patrol Protective Association Store

Trooper groupies will love this place -- if they can find it, tucked inside the state patrol's training academy. The shop offers CSP-branded T-shirts, polos, fleeces, mugs, golf tees, stuffed bears -- even a miniature patrol car for Junior. Our personal favorite: the CSP dashboard notepad, suitable for writing down excuses while waiting for the officer to check your registration and write that speeding ticket.

Best Store in Belmar

A++ Boutique de Force

At A++ Boutique de Force, six local fashion- and design-forward businesses join forces to present a powerhouse showroom on Belmar's artsy Block 7. Collectible sneakers rub shoelaces with vinyl toys, costume jewelry and mod tees while fine art and prints create a backdrop for trying on the best that Denver clothing designers have to offer. Give thanks to Gimme Gimme Pillow Toast, the Fabric Lab, Kundenkarte, Plastic Chapel and the 400 for bringing urban cool to the suburbs. A++!

Best Store on the 16th Street Mall

Cook's Fresh Market

When cute cooking couple Edward and Kristi Janos and their meat-cutting partner, Bill Roehl, moved their specialty grocery shop, Cook's Fresh, to the city, downtown denizens rejoiced. Loft dwellers no longer had to satisfy themselves with visiting the website, www.cooksfreshmarket.com, or face trekking out to the Tech Center to enjoy the market's gourmet groceries and condiments, rich-and-flaky baked goods, made-to-order sandwiches or delicious soups and prepared dishes. For those foodies and newbies more skilled at takeout, the Janoses even offer classes on how to prepare such a plethora of goodness. Welcome home, Cook's Fresh Market.

Best Downtown Neighbors

Cali & Mo and Lilly Partain

Cali & Mo and Lilly Partain simply can't be mentioned separately. The sister stores, on the second level of the Pavilions, are the brainchildren of boutique entrepreneurs/friends Allison Leyn and Vicki Raichart, and both express a love of vintage -- but in different and equally charming ways. If Cali & Mo is a street girl, wrapped in her faintly upscale flea-market finds -- enameled tin sets, refurbished blazers, slinky new clothing, antiqued side tables, retro greeting cards and costume jewelry galore -- Lilly Partain is her Parisian cousin, flounced out in silky ruffles and flashing rhinestones and scented with hand-milled soaps. Old, new -- it's all mixed up between the two to create one wholly wonderful store.

Best Store in Cherry Creek

Macy's

When shoppers first began comparing Foley's apples to Macy's stars after Federated Department Stores rebranded its stores, there didn't seem to be much difference -- just new signs replacing old. But the slavering few who'd shopped a Macy's elsewhere knew to be patient. Their wait paid off: Macy's is better. It's trendier and less cluttered, blending in well with the existing stores and able to satisfy the middle-of-the-road Jones New York crowd as well as those looking for something a little more chic. Now, that's star power.

Best New Store on Broadway (Since March 2006)

Fancy Tiger

From the moment partners Matthew Brown and Jaime Jennings opened Fancy Tiger, its blend of DIY mentality and
hipster fashions meshed perfectly with the neighborhood and adjacent social centers hi-dive and Sputnik. And like a good bar, it has something for girls and guys alike: hip make-your-own kits, unisex saddle bags, jeans and street wear, knitting supplies, old buttons, open craft nights, sewing classes for men, deejaying classes for everyone and plenty of other busy-bee activities to keep the corner humming day and night. Plus, the blog at www.fancytiger.com keeps a record of it all. Fancy Tiger, how did we ever live without you?

Best Store on Old South Gaylord Street

Pome

Pome has a little bit of everything and anything, all arranged to keep you oohing and aahing from the door to the back counter. There are even goodies to keep the kiddos looking and wishing while their moms are shopping. In fact, some of Kate Feinsod's best customers can't even see over the counter when they slap down a quarter for their penny candy. You'll find a great variety here, from an Italian accordion in a leather suitcase to an Herm?s 3000 cursive typewriter, or appliqud vinyl messenger bags by Queen Bee, beautiful necklaces hung with unique vintage findings by local jeweler Phyllis Quinn, a rainbow of ribbon sold by the yard, sweet tin toys and, in the summertime, even fresh fruit. Sweet.

Best Store on West 32nd Avenue

Studio Bead

A delightful shop commanded by adorable owner Joy Barrett, Studio Bead is not like any other place on the block -- or anywhere else. One month, it's all vintage bags with freshly beaded and charm-hung handles, the next it's a Frida tribute show. But always there's a well-culled selection of beads, from inside-painted orbs from China to whimsical glass lampwork kitties. Drop by, sign up for a class and let Barrett's infectious verve inspire you.

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