Pictured above (clockwise from top left), some of our favorite locally-owned shops: find fun gifts in "The Boutique" at Fruehauf's in Boulder; Enstrom's World Famous Almond Toffee is made in Grand Junction but can be ordered from the website and shipped anywhere; Glass Coasters by K Dahl are a truly unique gift; Tam O'Neill Fine Arts in Denver features Western and Audubon prints.
‘Tis the weekend: the weekend after Thanksgiving, when the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear. As you make your gift-giving list and plan your shopping strategy, CH&L would like you to consider visiting some of your town’s small, locally-owned businesses.
Last year, American Express created Small Business Saturday®, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on perhaps the busiest shopping weekend of the year. This Saturday, November 26, we’re asking our readers to join the movement by shopping small at their favorite local stores.
I’ve been doing a little “small shopping,” and has found some wonderful, unique gifts for family and friends. I started in Boulder, popping into Fruehauf’s (1665 33rd Street, Boulder, 303-449-9551). Of course, Fruehauf’s is known for its great selection of patio furniture, but did you know they also have a charming space called “The Boutique” filled with fun gifts? I picked up a beautiful Vera Bradley purse for my sister and cute little Troll Beads for my nieces.
Next, I headed to Enstrom’s in Cherry Creek North. The great thing about Enstrom’s (besides their to-die-for toffee) is that they have locations all over the state, as well as a great website—you can order and ship these yummy treats without leaving home. But stopping in a store is a treat in itself, and I love the wide variety of gift baskets and tins. I’ll be passing these out to my hair stylist, mailman and the girls in my office. And I got a little box of toffee for myself, too.
Sweet tooth satisfied, I zipped over to Tam O’Neill Fine Arts, also in Cherry Creek North (311 Detroit Street) in search of something special for my mother-in-law. She has impeccable taste and can be difficult to buy for, but with an incredible selection of naturalist prints—their specialty is Audubon prints—I knew I’d find something she’d love. I’m totally going to win Daughter-in-Law of the Year.
Exhausted, I headed home and logged on to the Glass Coasters by K Dahl website. A few years ago, Crawford-based glass artists Rck and Kathy Steckel started making these coasters from their leftover pieces of glass. Each one is truly unique, and you can even custom make your own! I’m having monogrammed coasters made for all of my out-of-state relatives—gift-wrapped and shipped. So easy!
I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving…and a fun weekend of shopping small!
