1. The Loopy Ewe is one of my favorites stores of any type. They do sell yarn and fabric online, but ever since Oldest Son moved to Fort Collins I've been thrilled to visit their wonderful store in person. Full of so much great yarn it's almost overwhelming, but Sheri and the Loopy Elves have things so well organized that I've always been able to find exactly what I'm looking for and much more.
2. Bucks Country Gardens is a garden center that I really like. They have beautiful plants in every season, and I'm looking forward to making my annual holiday trip soon. Even if I don't buy anything, it's a real pleasure to look, stroll, and take in all the sights.
3. Little Bros. is my favorite local liquor store. Beer, wine, cider, craft brews, they have it all and they're only five minutes away!
4. Penzey's is an excellent spice shop, with stores throughout much of the United States. I've only visited in person once, but the aromas are even better than you can imagine. Their double-strength vanilla and many types of cinnamon are second to none and well worth the price.
5. Wegmans is a semi-local grocery store chain, with stores on the east coast from New York to Virginia. They originated in Syracuse, so they were my local grocery store when we lived there. They stocked bulk and natural foods before anyone else did, and have continued to grow into kind of a food wonderland. The closest one to me now is over 30 minutes away, which is a good thing because I always spend too much there.
6. Finkle's is a nearby 94-year-old local hardware store. It is cluttered, charming, and eccentric, but also a great place to find what we've needed for our old house. They are the only place we can buy flush valves to fit our old toilets. The parts are much cheaper than replacing fixtures and it's a fun place to visit.
7. The Fudge Shoppe is a local candy store, full of delicious homemade chocolates, and of course, fudge. It's a great place to buy gifts and eat samples while shopping.
8. REI is a national seller of all things outdoors, and I really enjoy their stores. It's where Oldest Son headed when he realized he would actually need a winter coat and boots when he moved to Colorado, and I have a fondness for comfortable walking socks from REI. Plus, I hear that they have a really wonderful sales associate working in the Fort Collins store!
9. WoodsEdge Wools Farm is an alpaca, llama, and yak farm, but they also have a store at the farm that I really like to visit. Full of alpaca yarn, sweaters, socks, scarves (and also yak meat!), it's a really nice low-key shopping experience with the added fun of visiting their animals.
10. Nature's Own is a store I like in Old Town Fort Collins. They sell science and nature "stuff", including lots of minerals, fossils, rocks, and geodes. It's a lot of fun to browse, and where else can you buy a T. rex half skull for only $7500?
Making this list made me realize how much I shop online, how much I miss having a local book store, and how much I don't like big box stores.What are some of your favorite stores?
I love shopping in Fort Collins!!! It's much "groovier" with better shops now than when I lived there in the early 80s (although it was pretty fine even then). Whenever I visit my sister, we head to Fort Collins for a bit of shopping. (And maybe - ahem - a visit to New Belgium . . .)
ReplyDeleteI've only been in a wegmans! I know there is a penzeys in pitts but I haven't been. Great list!
ReplyDeleteOh there is a nice associate at REI! ;-) And I've yet to have the Wegmans experience but there is one in 50 mile radius. I've got to check it out
ReplyDeleteYour list is great - it makes me think of other stores I could have included on my list, like our local hardware store.
ReplyDeleteWe buy Penzey's on-line and I shop REI once in a blue moon. You have a nice list of local shops!
ReplyDeleteWegman's was born in Rochester. :)
ReplyDeleteI so wish I lived near the Loopy Ewe!
ReplyDeleteIs that photo a museum shop? I very seldom have the opportunity to go to such a place, but I always take advantage of it when I can.
ReplyDeleteSo many great local shops...and of course I'd love to visit The Loopy Ewe in person! I expected to see a bookstore on your list - guess they're really hard to come by these days, aren't they?
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