Gifts 2005

NoBo does it better
Last-minute shoppers can find traditional gifts and unique options in North Boulder
by Tyler Wilcox

If you haven't done the bulk of your holiday shopping yet, I pity you. Because at this late date, the shopping experience is going to be akin to an episode of Fox's white-knuckled thriller 24, where every... second... counts! But fear not, you Jack Bauer-wannabes, your friendly neighborhood alt-weekly can still offer a helping hand. In this final 2005 gift guide, we'll take a look at the bountiful retail options in the northern reaches of Boulder, as well as cover some of the key shopping spots around town that we inadvertently omitted in previous weeks.

North Boulder

As its name suggests, The Amazing Garage Sale (4919 N. Broadway) is a place that has to be seen to be believed. It's filled with an eclectic collection of vintage furniture, art, home décor items and jewelry, often for lower-than-low prices. If you're at a complete loss as to what to get someone, the wide variety of wacky and cool stuff you'll find there will surely inspire you. Bill Cronin Goldsmith (1235 Alpine Ave.) is a family-operated business that offers custom jewelry design, as well as exclusive lines of designer rings, diamonds, colored gemstones, antiques and other shiny things. For a look at the loving craft that goes into each piece, head to www.billcronin.com. And speaking of antiques, a trip to north Boulder wouldn't be complete without stopping in at Sister Max Imported Antiques, which has a great selection of handpicked items from the past.

One of the best toy stores in Colorado can be found in NoBo: Ginger & Pickles (2632 Broadway). It has an extensive arsenal of puzzles, children's books, stuffed animals and anything else for the tyke in your life. Shopping there is the perfect antidote to the overstuffed, obnoxious Toys 'R' Us experience. Watch out, though: You may even end up wanting some of the exquisitely handcrafted toys for yourself.

Pekoe Sip House (1225 Alpine Ave.) is renowned for its unbeatable tea and pastry offerings, but it's also got a nice selection of local artwork, tea kettles and cups and smartly designed T-shirts. Pharmaca (2700 Broadway) is primarily a natural pharmacy, but check out the aisles for all kinds of healthy gift options. They've got lotions, moisturizers, makeup, yoga accessories and all kinds of other stuff to help you take care of your body the natural way. There's also a location at 1647 Pearl St.

If you've got a holiday feast to plan, be sure to stop in at Breadworks (2644 Broadway), where they'll set you up with some of the best pastries, breads, soups and cookies in the city. Just the smell of all their freshly baked goods is enough to make your knees weak. Also necessary for any holiday celebration are the appropriate libations. The Boulder Wine Merchant (2690 Broadway) is the place where wine connoisseurs shop. The expert staff can help you find the right bottle for any occasion. The store also has a fine selection of local microbrews.

If you've got an equestrian to shop for, look no further than the well-stocked Boulder Horse & Rider (4593 Broadway), where you'll find western-style saddles, boots, cowboy hats and all other types of horse-related gear and gifts. Next door you'll find Twilight Candles (4593 Broadway), with its exquisite and extensive collection of handcrafted candles. If its cycling goods you're after, across the street there's Boulder Cycle Sport (4580 Broadway), a full-service bike shop, with an expert staff available to help even the most clueless shopper find the perfect gift. Another fine sporting goods store to check out when you're in north Boulder is Fleet Feet Sports (2624 Broadway), where they've got all of the top name-brand running shoes and accessories at unbeatable prices.

An hour or two can be spent perusing the offerings at Jacque Michell (2670 Broadway), a delightful boutique with cute gift items, locally made women's clothing, fine art, books and toys, among hundreds of other products. Finally, if you know someone whose dog is in desperate need of some training, a gift certificate to the Doggie Depot (4525 N. Broadway) is a good idea. They offer basic obedience and socialization training, as well as agility training.

And don't forget...

Hey, we have our own holiday shopping to take care of, too. So it's inevitable that in the course of writing these gift guides, there are going to be some shops that slipped through the cracks. Here's our attempt to make amends.

Any film buff on your shopping list will love pretty much anything you get for him or her at The Video Station (1661 28th St.), where they've got an amazing library of videotapes and DVDs for sale or rental. Whether it's the latest blockbuster or the most obscure foreign film imaginable, they can get it for you.

There may be a Home Depot opening in Boulder in the near future, but when you've got a locally owned hardware store like McGuckin (2525 Arapahoe Ave.) who cares? Actually, referring to McGuckin as merely a hardware store is something of a disservice. They've got 18 departments and more than 300 employees waiting to serve you. All kinds of gifts, from sporting goods to ornaments to potted plants and more, can be found in the store's cavernous showroom.

Everyone loves cheese. And some of the finest cheeses in the world can be found at Longmont's Cheese Importers Gourmet Warehouse (33 S. Pratt Parkway). It may be tucked away in an obscure part of town, but it's worth tracking down for their expertly arranged gift baskets. Featuring cheeses from around the world, the shop also offers European treats and kitchen-related items. A little closer to home, there's also the Boulder Cheese Company (1731 15th St.), a mouth-watering little shop that carries more than 100 artisan and relatively unknown cheeses from all over the globe.

If you're on the hunt for a gift for the musician in your life, you've got two options. First, there's Robb's Music (1580 Canyon Blvd.), which carries just about any type of musical equipment you can think of: acoustic and electric guitars; keyboards, synthesizers and digital pianos; PA speakers and mixers; microphones; recording equipment and computer interfaces; amplifiers; band instruments; strings; sheet music; and music accessories. HB Woodsongs (2920 Pearl St.) has a more specialized selection, featuring acoustic instruments and accessories. For the Front Range's thriving folk and bluegrass scene, this is the store.