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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

Leevers Locavore in Northside isn’t a grocery store. Or rather, it’s not 

a grocery store, being that it’s also part food hall, complete with a coffee shop, sushi counter, sandwich maker, and pizza shop. There’s also every local food item you could ever want, so there’s something for all cravings.

Any leaf-peeping weekend road trip should start with a cup of Denver-made joe. Buy a drink from 

 at the café inside Leevers Locavore, plus a pastry to keep you alert on the drive up.

If you’re like me (a chip girlie, through and through) know that 

. is a major partner of Leevers Locavore, meaning you can find big bags and multiple flavors here made by this seriously delicious Colorado company.

The sun is still hot, which means it’s still ice cream season. Locavore is stocked with locally made flavors from shops like 

 — the perfect way to treat yourself when you get back to Denver after your leaf peeping adventure.

Why Denverites Love Leevers Locavore

Keep It Local

Italian sandwiches. A family potato salad recipe. Fancy imported chips. From deli meats to grab-and-go cookies, these are the very best shops to stock up for a leaf-peeping road trip.

 is known for its deli sandwiches featuring local ingredients, like a creamy goat cheese spread from Haystack Mountain and a house-made olive tapenade. They also sell wine and beer 

 — perfect for grabbing a pinot noir to pop open once you settle in for the night.

Order a sandwich for pickup ahead of time so you can head up to the mountains sooner.

🍏 Congress Park Market (Congress Park)

Smoked gouda with turkey and pear? Dill havarti topped with giardiniera mayo? These are just a few sandwich options available at 

 which pair perfectly with crisp sparkling waters and juicy Palisade peaches, in season now.

If you’re in a rush, opt for a premade sandwich from the grab-and-go counter — these are made fresh daily.

🍖 Marczyk Fine Foods (North Capitol Hill & Hale)

What started as a specialty foods shop in 2002 has since become a comprehensive market with an in-house bakery, sustainably raised meats, and prepared foods like 

, you can grab a sandwich and some caprese pasta salad (plus a few lemon poppyseed cookies for later).

Add a drink and chips to your sandwich order to save $2.

The Best Road Trip Snacks in Denver

Where to Stock Up For a Fall Road Trip

 after she couldn’t find a herbal wellness store in Denver that combined her Korean roots with her love of natural healing. Now, this community staple sells various hand-selected teas, accessories, giftables, and bath products. Here are three that should be on your radar.

 for a coconutty bath mixture with lavender and rose that will put you instantly at ease.

Steep loose-leaf tea in your favorite mug with a 

3. Sip on a Korean Ceremonial Matcha Latte

 on a sunny fall morning for the perfect start to the day.

Why Denverites Love Hearth and Seoul

Whether it's sprucing up your bed or curating the perfect tea cabinet, these local shops have everything you need to create your coziest Colorado fall yet.

Fluffy bath towels, vibrant accent rugs, and trendy pillow covers are among the many cozy items available at 

. Women-owned and serving Denver for 48 years, Brass Bed carries fine home linens and decorative accents to make your home the restful, comfortable place you never want to leave.

Create a registry here for a wedding, baby shower, or other occasion to bring more of these luxe items to your home.

 is an artist-focused, woman-owned shop where you can buy independently made creations of all kinds, from soaps to socks. Among my favorite giftables and doodads at Show of Hands is the 

, a stress-relief tool to minimize anxiety and promote a mindful mood.

My cat, the connoisseur of cozy herself, is totally obsessed with their 

 in Edgewater Public Market, you can find a huge selection of yarns — but also so much more. From 

, you’ll find plenty of supplies for your next big project.

Whether you want alpaca or hemp yarn, it’s best to have an idea for a project (or a question) in mind before entering this shop.

🕯️ Miller Lane Mercantile (Berkeley)

If gathering with loved ones is your idea of cozy, stop by 

 for a handmade reed diffuser that sets a warm, welcoming tone. Feeling hungry? Consider one of their cookbooks to make yummy treats for guests. Love creating a vibe? Check out a 

To give the gift of a cozy home, opt for the 

The Best Denver Stores for Cozy Fall Goods

Where To Find Cozy Fall Goods

These community-focused plant shops in Denver remind us that anyone can have a green thumb with the right knowledge and support.

Voted Denver’s best plant shop five years in a row, 

 is owned by local Victor Sosa-Meza, who sells a mix of classic varieties, rare and hard-to-find plants, and succulents and cacti that love Denver’s sunny skies. Customers praise the large selection, healthy inventory, and friendly staff for making this a shop to keep coming back to.

They’re open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and if you ever have questions, 

 is on a mission to help you find your new best green friend and nurture them with confidence. The plants for sale here are adapted to Denver’s dry, high-altitude climate, making them easier to care for. Denver Plant Club also hosts a 

 suitable for all levels (which makes for a great date night or friend get-together!).

This shop also offers bespoke plant design services, meaning they can turn your office or living space into a jungle or zen sanctuary — customized just for you.

Houseplants, pottery, and a whole ‘lotta color. That’s what you see upon walking into 

, where the owner, Jessica, uses an assessment system to help you find the right plant for your home and commitment level. By learning more about your plant parent goals, Green Lady Gardens provides on-site care education to help every customer foster prosperous plant relationships.

Green Lady Gardens sells pottery and ceramics from local and international artists and donates a minimum of 5% of profits to nonprofit organizations.

 is a Golden Triangle-based store run by horticulturists, arborists, and certified Colorado gardeners. In other words, there’s no question about growing greens that these shop owners can’t answer. Plant Garage also has a selection of outdoor plants, including herbs, shrubs, and flowers to beautify your home inside and out.

, a personal and residential landscaping company that specializes in xeriscaping, garden design, tree care, and more.

The Denver shops where you can find the perfect plants and develop your green thumb.

The Best Plant Shops in Denver

Where To Buy Houseplants in Denver

, you can find creepy crawlies, taxidermied reptiles, and entire mini worlds to spark your imagination. Here are three cool ways this store helps you release your inner nature witch:

Whether you use it to catch pests at home or to 

, The Terrorium Shop can help you feel confident about taking a carnivorous plant home.

 for using them in creative projects, or 

 for display. (If you’re unsure about the dead animal thing, don’t worry: They make sure to 

3. Order a Nature Bundle (a.k.a. Taxidermy Bouquet)

For $40, The Terrorium Shop will create a 

 according to your preferences — hairy hooves and sparkly crystals included.

The Terrorium Shop: Denver's Most Interesting Plant Shop

Why Denverites Love the Terrorium Shop

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

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.