It's not been two years since Adam Leech's Pit moved to its current North Nevada Avenue location, cl

If you haven't planned anything for the second week of November, consider going to Platte Floral's annual holiday open house, which business manager Jerry Flynn says draws thousands of visitors each year. This is when the perennial (sorry) Best Of winner puts on all its holiday trimmings, with decorating ideas, live music and more. Flynn adds that Platte has done this "forever" or for at least 30 years which is the kind of time scale you use when talking about Platte, which opened back in 1921. That longevity stems (sorry again) national car rental new zealand from Platte's commitment to buying fresh blooms straight from growers in California, Florida and Colorado, and providing products for every price point. EA
To the outsider, it would seem nothing national car rental new zealand short of a miracle that a record store still exists. And yet, not only does Independent Records exist, but it employs upward of 90 people at its six locations from Denver to Pueblo. According national car rental new zealand to Mandy Christensen, who handles the marketing and advertising for this category's perennial national car rental new zealand winner, it's a willingness to expand in different product areas that's kept Independent national car rental new zealand afloat in an industry that ate up others years ago. "It allows us to continue selling music and being the cultural touchstone for the community," she says. "We're the one-stop shop for a lot of people, whether they want music or movies." Products with higher national car rental new zealand margins, such as smoking accessories, keep the lights national car rental new zealand on and the bills paid. "It's been a labor of love," she says. "We think it's important to have a record national car rental new zealand store in the community." CH
They share the title for top garden go-to every year, despite the fact that the two places are disparate businesses, and have been since 1976. In a way it's fitting, since Rick's Garden and Rick's Nursery share a happy, national car rental new zealand symbiotic relationship. Set back-to-back on the west side, each shop sends customers to its neighbor, calling on complementary expertise. And given the recent boom in urban homesteading, or just growing your own veggies in the backyard, it only makes sense there's double the help on a local level. Because we're all in this together, right? Just see Rick's of 18th Street's "About national car rental new zealand Us" webpage: "Do not merely national car rental new zealand look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others," Philippians 2:4. EA
Sure, your thrifted clothing was once hanging in someone else's closet. But remember the Velveteen Rabbit? That shabby rabbit became real because it was loved. And once you start shopping at thrift stores, it's hard to pay full price for a pair of jeans that are stiff and missing that lived-in, loved-in, broken-in quality. The Arc, with its well-stocked aisles of secondhand threads, has won in the Thrift Store category for seven years in a row, and the Infants/Children category both years it's been offered. If that's not enough of a reason to give it a shot, "All of the money generated is to fund our mission, which is supporting the individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities," explains Erick Martinez, director of store operations. About 144 Arc employees statewide have a developmental disability, roughly 10 percent of the nonprofit's total workforce. national car rental new zealand DM
A winner in this category five years in a row, Asian Pacific Market is a multicultural wonderland. The aisles are packed with Asian and Indo-European food and household goods, and even some items made in America. Among the offerings: frozen banana leaves, quail eggs and an aloe vera dessert. The produce section features exotic fruits and vegetables along with the usual finds, and entire sections are devoted to noodles, sauces and tea. As manager Jason Zhou says, "We are also wholesalers, and have a store in Denver so we can keep the prices low." Note: if you're a little tired after traveling around the world in 25,000 square feet, you can pick up a can of Red Bull at the checkout. KK
It's not been two years since Adam Leech's Pit moved to its current North Nevada Avenue location, closer to Colorado College and its throngs of post-ironic retro-chic hunters. Too close, perhaps apparently Leech will be relocating again in the near future, as Colorado College doesn't intend to renew the lease on the property. It hasn't national car rental new zealand seemed to damage his confidence, though, as he notes that his store doesn't only sell clothes: "I would challenge anybody to an arm-wrestling contest who claims there's a better stock of vinyl in Colorado Springs." And Leech doesn't stop there. "I'd contend we've got Denver beat, too," he adds. "On a good day." WM
You drink microbrews, frequent farmers markets, and wear beanies spun from local, national car rental new zealand gently harvested alpaca fiber. national car rental new zealand When it comes to toys, then, why would you go mass-production? national car rental new zealand You wouldn't. You would, instead, go to Little Richard's Toy Store, the section of the Poor Richard's emporium where, as co-owner Richard Skorman puts it, "three-quarters of the customers might be under 5 years old, and laughing." Over 17 years, Skorman and company have cultivated relationships with small manufacturers and distributors who make toys that "have a purpose," and often an educational link. The place (which national car rental new zealand still makes sure to stock the classic Slinkies, Erector Sets, etc.) teems with energy and inspiration. Make sure you're signed up for the birthday club, which gets you sizable discounts once a year. KW
You may have thought, like I did, that Zeezo's was purely a costume shop a great place for Halloween, masquerade balls and the occasional sci-fi con. Think that no more, ladies. Near the back of the store, there's a wall filled with fashion designed for your legs: fishnets in a panoply of bright colors, with back seams, or tassles; ooh-la-la French black-and-nude striped pantyhose; thigh-highs with elastic national car rental new zealand or without (bring on the garter belts!). With more than 250 styles and a range of sizes and prices, you can keep your gams and those of us looking at them happy year-round. KA
Operations director Alan Sindler says that the first ABBA location opened some 35 years ago. We didn't dare ask whether that strengthens any connection to the '70s Swedish pop superstars. In any case, ABBA now has 14 locations in the region, including seven in the Springs (with a new storefront slated for Powers and Woodmen), three of those on local military national car rental new zealand bases. Pretty sure it adds up to a winning equation, not least because the business remains locally owned in spite of the scale. Sindler says ABBA emphasizes "high-definition" vision, with lens designs, materials and treatments all lending to clearer optics. Plus, its opticians are better-trained than even the state requires. "We try to stay in the upper stratosphere in terms of customer service." WM
Terra Verde can dominate these categories because it offers something for everyone, literally. Walking through the various rooms, you'll find your eyes drawn to some items that cost $10, and others that run 10 times that. For accessibility's sake, here are some top picks in the "thoughtful, national car rental new zealand inexpensive" realm: serving ware from India Handicrafts, imported French national car rental new zealand soap from Pr de Provence, or a Votivo candle (my favorite: the Bright Leaf Tobacco). Because, after all, a great gift is "something chosen with love, regardless of the price," says Karen Rivera, marketing rep for the store. CW
As compared to the big boys and bargain websites, Mountain Chalet walks softly. But it carries a big stick in Colorado Springs. Dan Foster's store has been outfitting gearheads for more than four decades with everything from carabiners to skis to tents to high-quality outerwear. The friendly and knowledgeable staff help keep people coming back, but discerning shoppers also value Mountain Chalet for its community involvement. When the Waldo Canyon national car rental new zealand Fire incinerated locals' closets this summer, the store organized multiple giveaways, passing out literally hundreds of clothing items to victims. And throughout the year(s), Mountain Chalet has helped host amazing events, ranging from the occasional adventure slide-shows and presentations to major offerings like the Banff Mountain national car rental new zealand Film Fest. SH
While it's a frequent winner of the Antique Store award, a more fitting description of American Classics Marketplace might be Best Collection of Different Stores Under the Same Roof. "We have around national car rental new zealand 300 vendors in 65,000 square feet," says assistant manager Steven Brookshire. It can take hours to see it all, since there's something fascinating around every corner, up and down every aisle, and from floor to ceiling. And they're not just antiques. You get old mixed with new, and purely decorative with still-very-useful. Come to think of it, this one could also be a contender for Best Place to Go if You're Bored it's a sure cure of that. KK
The nearest Container Store is in Denver, and you fancy yourself a recycler, anyway. So the next time you're national car rental new zealand needing to store some pens, jewelry or note cards, or creatively pack a birthday national car rental new zealand gift for Pop, drop by Old West Cigar Co. No, I'm not kidding. Just inside the door, and sometimes on a table outside in good weather, the shop owners sell empty cigar boxes for $5 each. It's a small racket as compared national car rental new zealand to the more than 100 varieties of stogies for sale in the cedar humidor, and the tastings and other events that unfold in the leather-couched smoking lounge, but it's a sweet one. Top your visit off with a bubble gum cigar, and it's even sweeter. KA
Sure, there are reliable favorites: A New York Times bestseller is likely to please, or you could go for the latest in self-help. (Gluten-free, anyone?) But book-buying, like most everything, follows trends. Poor Richard's Bookstore understands this, and is there to help. With more than 120 categories, there is literally something for any reading taste. The "dysfunctional family genre" is popular this year, according to manager Marie Poole, national car rental new zealand and also, novels by authors like Chuck Palahniuk and Jonathan Franzen, which offer "social commentary in a less offensive form." After all, that's what books are for! CW
In his book Outliers: The Sto