3 minute read
Shopping, Elevated
Mountain Village’s retail scene is pretty much perfect
BY ERIN SPILLANE
We are all in this summer on Mountain Village’s retail scene, which combines unique, independent retailers and a friendly, relaxed vibe to make it pretty much perfect.
First there’s the set-up. Mountain Village’s stores sit on a handful of sun-drenched, pedestrianized plazas that make for the ideal place to let the kiddos run, play or enjoy an ice cream, while parents engage in some retail therapy in a stunning high-alpine setting.
Then there’s the ambiance. All summer long, the Village Center is abuzz with live music, bikers, hikers and people-watchers lounging in the sun, food carts and even a bungee swing — without a traffic jam or big-box store in sight. It’s even a common consumption area, meaning shoppers can browse the retail outlets with a cocktail, mocktail or microbrew in hand. Bliss.
And, of course, there are the friendly, funky retailers whose offerings range from sophisticated to sporty to souvenirs.
For sophisticated, shoppers should make a beeline for Heritage Apparel. A Telluride Ski Resort-owned boutique, this trendy spot offers women’s, men’s and children’s apparel, as well as jewelry, fragrances, items for the home and, for the kids, toys, books and puzzles.
“We have something for everyone,” store manager Pamela Simms notes, adding that favorites include clothing by Rag and Bone and Peter Millar, along with jewelry by much-loved local designer Tony Finocchio of MetalRock Designs.
Another popular place is the ski resort’s Telluride Naturals, which offers a range of lovely, and often locally made, accessories, gifts and items for the home, including Pendleton woolens decorated with the Telluride logo. For more gifts and souvenirs, try the Resort Store, located beside the Gondola’s Station Mountain Village, and choose from a fun selection that ranges from reusable water bottles to fridge magnets, hoodies and more.
Other options for very-cool gifts and souvenirs are the Telluride Distilling Co. and Telluride Brewing Co. tasting rooms, both of which offer fun, branded schwag, and Sunshine Pharmacy, which has the usual offerings of a pharmacy, plus T-shirts, mugs and postcards.
Summertime in Mountain Village is all about
Ryan Bonneau
the outdoors and there is a clutch of retailers whose speciality is getting you out on a trail, river or lake in style. Check out the sportswear and gear on offer at Telluride Sports, North Face, Bootdoctors, Christy Sports, Neve and Burton, as well as the paddleboard, bike and 4x4 rentals at Mountain Adventure Equipment. Head to Wagner Skis to watch master craftspeople handmake bespoke high-performance skis and boards, and maybe put in an order of your own. For unique treasures, a wonderful option is the Rinkevich Gallery, where Telluride artist Margaret Rinkevich showcases her exquisite abstract paintings and tribal sculpture.
The final piece in Mountain Village’s retail mix is a must-visit: its farmers’ market. This outstanding outdoor bazaar operates on Wednesdays all summer long and offers fresh, regionally grown fruit, vegetables and artisanal food products, as well as clothing, crafts and more. One exciting option at the farmers’ market this summer is talented local artist Colleen Thompson, who will be selling pieces from her line Moon Bear Jewels. Thompson collaborates with fellow Telluride artists Christopher Beaver and Ava Nelson and with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jewel on her line Songlines by Jewel and will be offering a mix of stunning jewelry at her booth.
Summertime shopping in Mountain Village? Let me grab sunscreen, a margarita and my credit card.
Summer shopping in Mountain Village. Opposite page: The Gondola descends into Mountain Village at sunset. Above (l-r): more interested in ice cream than shopping; fresh produce at the Mountain Village farmers’ market; artist Colleen Thompson and her jewelry, also at the farmers’ market. Right (l-r): Unique and beautiful offerings at Heritage Apparel and the Rinkevich Gallery. Melissa Plantz
