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City Cast Denver

Keep It Local features spotlights on a local businesses we love and a timely set of personal, curated and neighborly recommendations that will help you live your best Mile High life. So, if you’re ready to ditch the national chains, e-commerce giants, and big box stores,

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Michelle Polizzi

I know not everyone will agree, but writing with a smooth inky pen in a 

 is one of the best feelings out there. I hope these shops for school supplies, stationery, and classroom-friendly toys help you find that feeling, in your own way, as we begin transitioning to fall 🌸

Colorful cards. Soft plushies. A mug emblazoned with cuss words. You can find just about everything you need for a grown-up work desk at 

, Denver’s only brick-and-mortar paperie. Tucked just around the corner from bustling 32nd Street, Wordshop looks like it belongs in Paris — but is filled with locally designed artwork and unique giftables you’ll only find in Denver.

Wordshop also specializes in custom projects, making it a great spot to order wedding invitations or highly personalized cards.

Nearly twenty years after it first opened, the 

 is still serving the Denver Metro by selling sensory objects, helpful classroom tools, tactile toys, fidget spinners, and so much more. This store was the first of its kind in the U.S. to offer a wide range of products for neurodivergent people and those with sensory challenges.

The offerings here don’t stop at school supplies or games — you can also find tools for everyday life, including specialty cookbooks for autistic kids and 

, I’m filled with a sense of possibility. Perhaps it’s because this art supply store has been around since 1881 and is still owned by the Meininger family. Or maybe it’s the smell of fresh paper and 

 that leaves me feeling inspired. Either way, this might be the best place to shop for kids and adults, considering they’ve got a wide variety of both kid-friendly and 

At the very least, stop in to snap some photos at their 

, then decorate your desk space with the photo strips.

A workspace is only as good as its furniture. Specifically, its desk and its chair. 

 has a wide selection of at-home office desks, standing desks, and desks for kids in grades K-12. They also have a wide selection of used office furniture (I see you, 

), making your next purchase affordable without compromising quality.

Desks Incorporated can ship and deliver items within a certain radius — just give them a call.

Denver Desk and School Supplies

Where to Buy School & Desk Supplies in Denver

Keep It Local

I’ve never been to Japan, but from what I hear, the place is 

. Trains run on time. People respect one another’s space. There’s an emphasis on being intentional; on saying and doing exactly what you mean.

 is a shop in Five Points that brings a bit of that culture to Denver. Think well-designed Japanese notebooks, cute cards and pens for analog correspondence, and office organizers that make you smile.

Here are three picks from the shop to get you started:

A Traveler’s Notebook is a leather-bound, customizable notebook that you can refill with 

, like lined paper or calendar planning sheets. It’s simple, easy to carry, and a perfect way to slow down or get organized without a screen.

Comfortable to hold and satisfying to write with, 

 is available in a variety of colors. (I’ll take the butter yellow.) It’ll make you want to write — no, 

 comes with paper and envelopes. It’s simple, but it’s all you need to send somebody a love letter. Just add stamps.

As if this shop wasn’t already a pleasure to peruse, they’re in the midst of reorganizing their space and making improvements (but they’re still open!). Stop in to see the magic ✨

Denver's Best Office Supplies at Point Creative Supplies

Why Denverites Love Point Creative Supplies

There’s probably somebody out there who doesn’t like fries, but I’ve never met them. So for me, the question isn’t “do you like fries,” it’s “what kind do you like?” The following list has some of the best in Denver, from crispy crunchies, to classic, to everything in between.

🍺 Best Mixed Fries: Odie B’s (Sunnyside; RiNo)

The hardest part about ordering fries is having to choose. Waffle, sweet potato, thin-cut, or wedge? At 

, order the mixed fries and you get them all in one. This brunch and lunch spot has two locations and too many delicious menu items to count — we recommend the double smooshed burger patty or the trendy tendy chicken caesar wrap, which is made with habanero hot honey fried chicken thighs.

🍺 Best Battered Fries: Fiddlesticks Bar & Grill (Lakewood)

 has been a go-to spot for bar food that simply hits the spot. They’re known for their extra crispy fries, which are battered in an extra layer for a crispy outside and a soft inside. Fiddlesticks also has waffle fries on the menu, which are served plain or loaded with green chile and cheese with sides like ranch, spicy ranch, or sour cream.

There’s many chances to get a great deal on fries at this bar and grill, which has 

, plus an afternoon happy hour and a late-night happy hour.

🥔 Best Seasoned Fries: Mead St Provisions (West Highland)

, it ignited a long debate: What is this magical blend of seasoning covering their house fries? It’s sort of like Old Bay, but maybe with a hint more barbecue? But also battered? I still don’t know — but I can highly recommend them! Plus they’ve got sweet potato fries for the healthy friends in the group and 

Happy hour is Monday through Friday, from 2-6 p.m., and includes deals on drinks, sides, and more.

Best Classic Fries: Bull and Bush Brewery (Glendale)

 celebrates its 55th anniversary this month, making it the perfect time to stop in for some tasty fries. In fact, the fries here are the most basic on the list, or in other words, the most 

fries (IYKYK). These simple, not too thick, not too skinny, perfectly soft and crisp fries are the perfect pairing to this cozy, London-inspired, ale-forward joint that’s long been a staple in the Cherry Creek area.

Don’t miss Bull & Bush’s “legendary” fish and chips, which 

Denver’s Most Delicious Fries

 may have started in Fort Collins, but its Denver satellite locations are creating a following of their own.

Formerly an outpost inside TRVE Brewing, the South Broadway location has expanded into a hub for hot chicken and fries, 

So what exactly is hot chicken? Music City’s recipe is based on, you guessed it, Nashville — where the 

. Music City Hot Chicken has built upon Nashville’s tradition in a way that honors its roots, but provides even more options for hungry customers. For one, they’ve added salty wedge fries and sweet potato fries to the classic meal.

They’ve also got seven levels of heat to choose from, including a Southern style that has no kick at all. If you go too spicy by accident, some fries dipped in ranch is the best way to ease the pain.

Vegetarians and vegans alike can make their meal meat-free with Music City Hot Chicken’s alternatives: crispy tempeh or breaded oyster mushrooms. And if you’re on more of a brunchy kick, stop in on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for buttermilk waffles, fireball maple syrup, and dreamy breakfast sandos.

Whether you choose the “Nashville Hot” spice level or you’re simply in love with the taste, don’t be surprised if this place brings you to tears.

Why Denverites Love Music City Hot Chicken

Denver has always been the beating heart of Colorado, meaning some of the state’s oldest businesses are right here in town. What better way to celebrate the state turning 150 this weekend than to look at the places that’ve been here for decades?

The following establishments are some of the very best our city has to offer, and they’re only a *little* haunted — promise!

The cozy corner pub on the corner of Platte and 15th streets has been in operation since 1873. Though it’s changed names over the years (it was called Paul’s Place when Jack Kerouac and his friends, Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg, used to visit), it’s stayed a Denver institution for more than 150 years.

, the stamped tin ceiling and dimpled wooden tables of the moody space will transport you back in time. If that doesn’t do it, check out Neal Cassady’s framed IOU letter on the wall, which he wrote in 1944 admitting he owed the bar $3-$4 (roughly $75-$95 today).

They’re known for their onion rings and no-frills burgers, which are best enjoyed with a cold pint on their back patio.

 are covered in all manner of antiques, including JFK’s Colorado fishing license, the wedding dress of Sitting Bull’s niece, about 570 taxidermied animals — including a Kodiak Bear — and a dizzying amount of antique firearms.

Former Buckhorn Exchange owner Henry “Shorty Scout” Zietz was the first person in line for a liquor license when prohibition ended in 1933. That’s why this old-school establishment holds Colorado liquor license No. 1 (and why this bar is among Denver’s most special).

Legend has it that Buffalo Bill won nearly all his poker games here because he mixed bourbon with apple juice when everyone else drank it straight. Order a few to test the theory?

🥃 The Cruise Room at The Oxford Hotel (Union Station)

, the bar that opened in 1933 the day after prohibition ended. If you’re not into ghosts, though, there’s still plenty of reasons to visit this Art Deco gem inside the historic Oxford Hotel.

For one, the bar is shaped like a wine bottle and glows with a bright red light that transports you back a century. Second, there’s a retro jukebox belting out sultry tunes. Lastly, this bar was designed by the same person who decorated the RMS Queen Mary, a retired oceanliner that now serves as a hotel and museum.

Order a Tom Collins, the famous house martini, or a captain’s call — their version of a bartender’s choice, from 5-6 p.m. on weekdays.

 is a classic steakhouse that’s been family owned and operated since 1937. They’re known for their secret sugar steak recipe, which entails a cut of beef covered in spices and sugar, then grilled into a caramelized crust.

That sugar rub can be ordered on burgers and steak sandwiches, too, and are best paired with sides like twice-baked potatoes, grilled caesar salad, and a garlic brie mushroom medley.

If you’ve still got room after your sugar steak, top off your meal with their white chocolate bread pudding.

Denver's Oldest Businesses

Paul McCartney. Elvis. Martha Stewart. Those are a few celebrities who’ve worn the iconic Western shirts designed and created by Jack A. Weil, known as “Papa Jack,” the founder of 

Featuring pearl snap buttons, two pockets, wide cuffs, and a style-forward design, Papa Jack’s “Diamond” shirts went on to define an era of Western fashion and make his business, Rockmount Ranchwear, one of Denver’s most successful.

The store still occupies the same space on Wazee Street as it has for decades. They still sell shirts inspired by the same design. They’re still made in the USA.

So what has changed? Since Papa Jack passed away in 2008 at the age of 107, his great-grandson, grandson, and son have all become involved in the business. They have an online store in addition to being sold at retailers worldwide.

Most importantly, though, the original goal of Rockmount Ranchwear remains the same. That mission is to not only sell Western clothing, or even the idea of a cowboy — but to sell the lifestyle of the West in a totally different way.

As Steve Weil, Papa Jack’s son, puts it: "Papa Jack didn't just create a new kind of shirt, he started a whole new fashion. He gave those who identify with the American Western way of life a style tailored specifically for them.”

How Denver's Rockmount Ranch Wear Defined Western Fashion

Why Denverites Love Rockmount Ranch Wear

Gina Solomon’s favorite crochet project is a Pooh Bear lipstick holder keychain. Pooh is just one of the many tiny characters she teaches people how to make at 

Starting the club was Gina’s way to build community when she moved to Denver from Los Angeles County to be closer to her daughter, Sam Solomon. The mother-daughter duo already had the perfect location in mind: the coffee shop Sam started with her husband, Jason Haygarth.

Moonflower began as a coffee cart inside a food truck concept on West Colfax, but it’s now a full-service coffee shop with a large outdoor patio and a focus on bringing people together.

“We wanted more gathering space for the community to share a skill or idea or resources,” Sam said. “I think community forms on its own anyway. We just wanted to kickstart that process.”

Now, every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., the crochet club meets at Moonflower’s cozy couch area for creativity and conversation. “We welcome everybody, all ages and skill sets,” Gina says. “You could be beginner or advanced. We have people that knit, people that do felting.”

Gina points out a child who once saved up all of her coins to buy two crochet Pooh bears, one for herself and one for her little brother, which were available for sale in Moonflower’s small crochet shop. She’s since come back to learn how to crochet herself from some of the grown-up members of crochet club, who are happy to show her the ropes while sipping on one of Moonflower’s signature drinks.

“They get together and have great conversations,” Gina says of the club’s regular attendees. “They talk about books, music, current issues; it’s not just a place where they come to crochet. They make friends. I enjoy seeing that part.”

Moonflower Coffee will soon open for evening bar service, serving alcoholic beverages, mocktails, and a wide selection of teas. There’s talks of a nighttime crochet club and an evening offshoot of Moonflower’s Wednesday 

And if another hobby is calling? Moonflower Coffee has an open invitation to start a club yourself ✨

Why Denverites Love Moonflower Coffee

Perhaps it was the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Or, maybe it’s the frustration that AI seems to be taking over all things human-created. Either way, third spaces are having a major moment right now. Today we’re highlighting some venues around the city that serve as hubs for creative community-building — string included!

🐈 Cat People (Washington Virginia Vale) 

Cats? Crafts? Cozying up inside? Sign me up! 

 is a community-centered cat café with games, crafts, movies, and other activities for “indoorsy folks.” If you’re feeling social, 

 and choose from options like pet portrait painting with 

, friendship bracelet making (happening tomorrow!) and Doodle in the Daytime.

This café opened in late June, so cats aren’t available to adopt yet, but will be by the end of the summer — and there’s still a resident cat to pet!

Upcycle old clothing into a new creative piece or find your perfect artmaking accountability buddy at 

 — a creative café in Denver where you order projects, rather than dinner. The philosophy behind this space is to help people experience the beauty of creating things without the pressure of a perfect end product. They even encourage you to put your phone in a box, ensuring the experience is screen-free.

Bars and pubs have long served as community gathering spaces, but for people who don’t drink, 

 has all the social elements without the booze. Here, order from a selection of curated meat and cheese boards, like the Savory Garden, which features semi-soft cheese, olives, and a subtle sweet heat. Moxie Social has movie and game nights, 

 is one of the best around, with fizzy fruit drinks, citrus and chamomile cocktails, and zesty turmeric shots.

Trash Stitch is a community cross stitching event every other Thursday at 

 tavern. Held for three hours and hosted by experienced stitchers, this is a great place to learn cross stitch or improve your skills. Use the basic supplies provided or bring your own project to this "stitch and bitch” event that’s equal parts creative outlet and social event.

There’s usually a food truck on Thursday nights, too, so you can plan on eating dinner there.

🪡 Denver Cozy Craft Collective (Various Locations)

 is what some are now calling a “fourth space,” which is essentially a community that people can belong to, rather than a place they can go. This inclusive craft club meets up at different places throughout the city, but their next event is a 

, the social club known for its Italian brick oven pizza, pickleball, and community parties.

Community Arts and Crafts Spaces

John Chapman began screenprinting on thrifted apparel as a summer job in high school. So when he opened his own clothing store years later, he wasn’t learning the trade entirely from scratch.

“I retaught myself how to do the whole screen printing thing,” Chapman says. “I messed up a lot, actually. the first ones that I did, I actually burned, because the only way that I had to cure the ink was in the oven.”

Those initial bumps in the road gave way to smoother waters.

 clothing shop in 2015, and more than a decade later, he’s known around town for his collaborations with brands like Levi’s and Urban Outfitters. He’s also the brain behind iconic Denver-inspired designs, like The Colfax Athletic Club T-shirt, and a coveted Arthur Ashe sweatshirt for Black History Month.

“A lot of our items we do are very exclusive, to where it might be 25, no more than usually 50, of them. I like the exclusivity,” Chapman says.

Turns out, the exclusive nature of Lawrence and Larimer’s drops is good for business, too. For a recent collaboration with the Denver Art Museum, Chapman curated 

. While the pop-up was supposed to be on display for at least a month, Chapman’s pieces didn’t last.

“Twenty-five of each of those items were made, and I think everything sold out in about a week and a half,” Chapman says. “I was like, ‘What? You got to be kidding me.’”

The best way to stay updated with Lawrence and Larimer’s latest designs is to follow their Instagram, 

. You can expect new drops and collabs, and updates on public events.

“We're just kind of just really keeping the community active as much as possible, especially because we have this construction here on Colfax right here in front of the shops,” Chapman says. “It’s about looking for different ways to bring the community in and keep them coming in, and sharing our experience and stories with them.”

Why Denverites Love Lawrence and Larimer

850. No, that’s not how many mph you’re gonna go on your new e-bike (why does it *actually* feel like that though??). Rather, 850 is the number of miles of 

 in the Denver area. With a number like that, there’s really no reason not to get around on two wheels. Below, read up on some of the best locally-owned bike shops in town — and we’ll see you out there 😎

Collins’ Bike Shop opened on East Colfax Avenue in 1934, and while it’s now called 

, that space has remained a bike shop for 92 years. You can find remnants of this history sprinkled throughout Z Cycle, from retro Schwinn merchandise on display to the old brick walls that have housed bikes in repair for nearly a century. They’re open daily, and a safety check to evaluate brakes, drivetrains, and other key functionality starts at $66.

Z Cycles services e-bikes, but they must adhere to their 

, you can test drive an e-bike for yourself, get a quick flat fix for your friend for $25, or shop their selection of used kids' bikes. In other words, there is something for the whole family here. This shop also hosts a monthly bike ride for kids and families called 

, where designated route leaders take participants on a safe community ride between a bakery and a park.

They repair all kinds of standard bikes but can only service e-bikes that are Bosch, Shimano, and Flyer.

What’s better than getting your bike tuned for summer? Learning how to fix it yourself. In addition to fixing and selling bikes, 

 provides a variety of bicycle maintenance classes and repair clinics. This nonprofit also offers 

 nights, which are free, volunteer-run, and open shop hours for women, transgender, and non-binary people who want to learn to fix bikes in a safe, inclusive space.

If a bike feels out of your budget, Bikes Together sells cost-flexible sidewalk bikes starting at $75, but can also teach you how to fix one at a 

Were you lucky enough to get an e-bike voucher this year? Good news — you can use it at 

, which specializes in selling e-bikes (and if you didn’t get a voucher, but you qualify, you’ve got 

). This bike shop began building custom e-bikes 13 years ago, making it an expert in the Denver area. Browse their 

 offers the unique service of converting your regular bike into an e-bike.

 is to help you have your best adventure. Whether you want to get some mountain biking gear or service your road bike, Yawp can help. And if you’re wondering what amount of whimsy to expect alongside this expertise, consider that their name comes from a Walt Whitman poem: “I sound my barbaric 

, but carry other brands, like Salsa and Otso, too.