Summer Shopping Guide

The sun is shining, the pools are being cleaned, and school is almost out! Summer is coming, which means it's time to put away the parkas and snowshoes, and get out bathing suits and hiking shoes! Regardless of what your summer plans are, we have a shopping guide for you!

The Boulder Army Store, located at 1545 Pearl Street, is your one stop shop for all things outdoors. From flashlights, to tents, to hiking boots and hiking clothes, this store has what you need for an active summer outdoors. This store has been in business for over 35 years, and has proved their quality with great customer service, outstanding products, and loyal customers. For store hours, and a list of brands carried in the store, visit http://www.boulderarmy.com/
Ladies, do you need to vamp up your summer wardrobe? Walk down to Common Era, at 1500 Pearl Street, for all your summer clothing needs. This store has dresses, shorts, tank tops, sandals, jewelry, and more! Common Era first opened in 1991, and has been a one-stop shop for women’s clothing ever since. For more information, visit http://www.mycommonera.com/
Weekends is a botique featuring women’s & men’s clothing, accessories, home goods, and an additional denim shop. On the corner of Pearl and Broadway, Weekends’ upscale collection of brands and designers make it a perfect place to find an outfit for the upcoming wedding season, graduation presents, or just to update your work wardrobe for summer. Visit http://www.weekendsboulder.com/ for more information and store hours.
Goldmine Vintage is an all-encompassing store featuring new and vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories. With authentic cowboy boots, jerseys, dresses, and concert t-shirts, you will not find a place with a better selection of vintage apparel. Located at 1123 Pearl Street, Goldmine features many local artists’ jewelry, and local designers clothing, as well as buys vintage pieces from the public. For more information, or to set up an appointment to sell your items, visit http://www.goldminevintage.com/.
The days of ill fitting, ladies outdoor wear are over! The name says it all, Outdoor Divas provides ladies with a range of products for their adventurous needs. From undergarments, to climbing gear, this store has what you need (and what you want) for this summer's adventures. Open year round, Outdoor Divas also has great sales on last seasons sporting goods. Check out the store in person at 1133 Pearl Street, or visit their website for some online shopping from the comfort of your own home, http://www.outdoordivas.com/!

Summer Update: Drinking, Eating & Sunshine

Boulder is a city with weather so nice, it basically begs you to stay outside. I am here to tell you, that although you probably have to leave the beautiful outdoors for work and sleep, you can enjoy the beautiful mountain air, and sunshine on your face while you eat all your meals this summer! Boulder is home to some amazing outdoor eateries, rooftop bars and patios alike. Consider this is your outdoor summer eating guide.

The West End Tavern: The West End has been around since 1987! It's menu is full of great American classics such as burgers, fries, steaks, fish n' chips, fantastic salads and of course fantastic cocktails. Not to mention, you can enjoy everything off their menu while sitting on their rooftop, which looks directly at the beautiful Flatirons. Don't be discouraged if we get a late snowfall, The West End also offers specials if it does snow, and has heaters on the rooftop so you can enjoy it year round! For a full menu, as well as specials, and hours, visit their website at http://www.thewestendtavern.com/.

The Boulder Café: The Boulder Café, is the place to be for happy hour. From 3pm-6pm daily, (or until 7pm if you stay in the bar) you can enjoy the best happy hour in Boulder. Drink Specials include half priced beer, wine, margaritas, & mixed drinks. In addition to the half priced beverages, their appetizers are also half price. The appetizer menu includes a raw seafood bar (oysters, peel and eat shrimp, crab legs), fondue, sliders, and more. The best part about the Café's happy hour? It can all be enjoyed on their patio, which overlooks the historic Pearl Street Mall.

The Rio Grande: No plans for Cinco de Mayo? We've got the place to be. The Rio Grande Mexican restaurant has been serving Boulder cold margaritas and delicious enchiladas for years. A favorite for both college students and local residents alike, the Rio Grande has one of the best rooftops in Boulder, overlooking the Flatirons. The Rio offers a daily happy hour from 3pm – 5pm, with a dollar off margaritas, $2 Corona or Corona Light, and half priced quesdillas. The Rio also just added a pomegranate margarita, which is a must have for any hot summer day. For more information, visit the Rio's website at http://www.riograndemexican.com/.

Centro Latin Kitchen: Waking up on a lazy Saturday and walking to brunch is one of my favorite activities. With a sunny patio and delicious food, Centro is a great destination. Not only do they have an extensive brunch menu including Huevos Rancheros, and Biscuits & Gravy, but they also feature a brunch happy hour (9:30am-11am) featuring items like burnt grapefruit, breakfast tacos, and bloody marys for $2 or $3! While Centro only serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday, they do serve lunch and dinner daily. For a full menu, hours, and specials, visit their website at http://www.centrolatinkitchen.com/.

Spruce Confections: For a delicious pastry or coffee, Spruce Confections is the place to be. Take it to go, or enjoy a slice of quiche and cappuccino on their patio. With friendly employees, and delicious choices including cakes, cookies, salads and sandwiches, Spruce Confections is the perfect place to start your day, or enjoy lunch with a friend. The best part? Every morning, they post daily horoscopes for you to read while you wait in line!

What's your favorite downtown eatery during the summertime?

A big thanks to our Spring intern, Teale, for this post!

Summer Update: Events!

Summer is coming, which means less snow, and more sunshine! With the extra sunshine and warm weather come many events outside, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Flatirons, live music, and more! Here are profiles of a few upcoming events in and around downtown Boulder.

Taste of Pearl: On Sunday, April 25, local merchants, restaurants, and wineries pair up to showcase their products. From 2pm to 6pm, you can walk the beautiful Pearl Street Mall, and enjoy tasting food and wine in participating galleries and shops. Tickets are $52.80 per person, which includes entry to all participating locations for samples of food and wine, along with a keepsake bag and wine glass (proceeds benefit the Emergency Family Assistance Association). For more information, and a list of participating businesses, go to http://www.boulderdowntown.com/events/taste-of-pearl.

Boulder County Farmers' Market: In the autumn of 1986, local farmers organized a farmers' market in downtown Boulder, since then it has grown in many ways, including longer hours, breakfast, lunch, children's events, and more! The Farmers' Market has become a community icon for Boulder, and is a must for shopping, eating, drinking, or just enjoying the outdoors. Join vendors Saturdays from 8am to 2pm, next to the beautiful Central Park, on 13th Street between Arapahoe and Canyon. Starting May 5, the Market will be open on Wednesdays as well. For more information you can visit the Market's website at http://www.boulderfarmers.org/.

Boulder Creek Festival: If you're going to attend one event this summer, it should be the Boulder Creek Festival. This festival is free to the public and features over 500 vendors! There is live music, great food, and shopping! If that's not enough, there are also carnival rides and five performance stages. Celebrating it's 23rd year, the Festival will run May 29 through May 31. Take a stroll down the Boulder Creek Path for this festival full of food, fun, and entertainment! More information on events, vendors, and performers can be found at http://www.bceproductions.com/boulder-creek-festival.

Colorado Children's Day: The day starts off with the Tulip Fairy and Elf Parade at 11:45am, (11:15am if you plan on participating in the parade). Following the parade, Children's Day begins at noon, running until 4pm. Children's Day is a free event, celebrating children and providing them with events and entertainment throughout the day. For more information visit www.boulderdowntown.com/events/tulip-parade.

What events in Downtown Boulder do you look forward to every summer?

A big thanks to our spring intern, Teale, for this post!

Upcoming Event: Dimity McDowell

Mothers are known for juggling. They are also known for never having enough time for themselves. Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, want to change this reputation. In their new book Run Like a Mother, they write about strengthening a woman's inner athlete while managing a life beyond running. Both mothers and working women, these ladies understand the obstacles that may hinder moms from lacing up their shoes and going for a run. They offer both inspirational advice and practical strategies to help multitasking women make running part of their busy lives.

Run Like a Mother, sprinkled with insights from other running mothers, engenders an attitude of possibility for the reader, whether she be a seasoned or an aspiring runner. Both authors will be touring separately, speaking and hosting 5Ks in cities across the country. Join Dimity McDowell as she speaks about her experiences, and her new book, on April 17, 2010. She will be signing books and speaking at Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO, 80302 at 7:30pm. The following morning she will host a 5K, in and around Boulder.