UNIQUE STORES

Check Out These Unique Stores in Boulder

BOULDER IS SO UNIQUE THAT THE WORD “BOULDER” ISN’T JUST A CITY NAME. IT’S ALSO A DESCRIPTION. SOMETHING IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT? IT’S SO BOULDER. “ONLY IN BOULDER” AND “KEEP BOULDER WEIRD” STICKERS MARK THE STREETS. SO IT’S ONLY FITTING THAT THE CITY HAS SOME INTERESTING STORES. AS A SUPER OUTDOORSY COMMUNITY, IT’S ALSO FITTING THAT MANY OF THESE SHOPS ARE ATHLETIC AND OUTDOOR-FOCUSED.

By Aimee Heckel

Whether you’re looking for a quirky souvenir or just want to experience Boulder’s “Boulder-iness” in another way, here’s a glance at some of Boulder’s many interesting shopping options.

Boulder is always growing and evolving. And that goes for its shops, too. So these are some of the city’s newer stores that you may not have experienced yet. Add these to your 2022 bucket list to check out for their unique offerings — and great backstories.

HIMALI

1418 Pearl St. Himalilife.com

This Boulder-based outdoor-adventure shop opened downtown in October, founded by Dave Schaeffer and Tendi Sherpa, a climbing guide who has summited Mount Everest 13 times. The partners met while climbing the highest mountain in South America.

Himali sells high-quality, performance-based mountaineering clothes. Trans-seasonal, light, versatile vests. A breathable, moisture-wicking button-down shirt. Collections named after renowned mountaineers. The most unique item Himali offers is its 8000-Meter Downsuit, a full head-to-ankle, down-filled suit designed to withstand extreme conditions.

But what makes Himali truly outstanding is that the shop gives back to the community in Nepal. A portion of proceeds get donated to the Himalayan region, with an emphasis on helping schools and providing clean water for the residents there. Himali also partners with various social programs and donates its gear to people in need.

As the company says, “This is not business as usual. It’s about going the extra mile to develop products that take our communities further, helping them unleash capabilities they … never knew existed.”

STIO

1505 Pearl St. stio.com

This store, which opened in July 2021, is all about connecting with nature through products with “mountain soul.” What’s that look like? Products with Bluesign-approved textiles; audited supply chains for best practices; and an eye always on conservation and sustainability.

It also means innovating products — fresh, new items you can’t find just anywhere. We’re talking groundbreaking styles

of bike shorts, waterproof jackets and protective gloves. Stio carries clothing for men, women and kids, as well as all kinds of gear, from bags to beanies.

For example, the Basin LT Camp Tote is a lightweight, convertible tote made out of recycled ripstop designed to “merge action with errands.” You know, for those days you want to ride your bike up Flagstaff but need to stop by the farmer’s market to pick up some veggies on the way back home. It’s one part tote, one part backpack and super lightweight.

TIMBER TRADE CO.

1717 Pearl St. timbertradecompany.com

Timber Trade Co. is a newer face in the Boulder retail scene, selling menswear catered to Coloradans, by Coloradans. In fact, its owners lost their Louisville home in the tragic Marshall Fire in December while they were on a family trip for Christmas.

“I saw my own house burn from 2,000 miles away with every little thing I hold dear become dust,” wrote owner Josh Greenlee on his Facebook page. “My 1965 Mustang I bought and restored with my dad when I was 16, my van I spent thousands of hours making a camper, my partner Cait’s wedding dress she never got to wear, the turquoise wedding ring of my late grandfather and every little thing we never meant to take for granted was gone.”

The community rallied to help Greenlee and his partner, Caitlin Evans, surpassing their GoFundMe goal. And Boulder continues to support their business as Greenlee and Evans rebuild their lives.

Timber Trade curates high-quality, durable clothes and accessories for men. It also sells home goods, such as plants, house-poured candles, alpaca blankets and a barber tonic.

The shop specializes in Japanese- and USA-made premium denim. They’re one of the few stores that carries these offerings. Timber Trade also sells socks that are made in Japan on antique machines.

And per the name and what makes Timber Trade Co. especially unique, the shop also sells woodwork (like a Colorado Forest Desk and charcuterie boards). It even offers custom interior furniture that blends durability with modern style.

BLACK DIAMOND

1427 Pearl St. blackdiamondequipment.com

Black Diamond opened in July 2021. This outdoorsy shop is for both climbers and skiers. After all, these are both sports you do in the mountains. Ice, snow and rock. And they’re two of Boulder’s favorite pastimes.

Black Diamond brings to downtown Boulder the most innovative gear (including skis and every color possible of climbing rope), goodies (hello, rechargeable headlamps and a wall of backpacks) and clothes (like wind shells and jackets galore).

You’ll also find the unexpected here, like exclusive coffee blends and denim jeans specifically made for climbing.

It’s no wonder Black Diamond calls itself Boulder’s “basecamp.”

BACKCOUNTRY

1537 Pearl St. backcountry.com

Backcountry is where to head for outdoor gear and apparel, as well as educational demos on everything from building mountain bikes to fitting ski boots. It covers the full gamut of adventures: hiking, camping, biking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, running, fly-fishing and more.

What makes Backcountry unique is its exclusive brands and products, like the Tricot Peak Tech Hoodie with a built-in neck gaiter and face mask, a zippered kangaroo pocket and zippered shoulder vents to cool you off while hiking.

Or hook up the best car camping getaway with the exclusive Stoic Portable Camp Kitchen Island, a collapsable, aluminum-frame, portable kitchen, complete with a tabletop, storage bins and sturdy feet suitable for uneven surfaces.

One cool deal at Backcountry is that all college students get 20 percent off full-priced gear.

Backcountry opened downtown in July 2021.

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