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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,

 sign up now for the new weekly newsletter from City Cast Denver

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Michelle Polizzi

So you want to be a witch, but don’t know how to get started? Here’s your starter pack, courtesy of 

Bree suggests visiting Alchemy Ritual Goods to learn more about the powers of herbalism and how to harness plants for healing.

, my friend who is an herbalist, does tea leaf readings at this amazing space,” Bree says.

The best way to get introduced to tarot is to have your cards read. But how do you know when someone is trustworthy? Will just any tarot reader do? Avoid the need for these questions by sticking to Bree’s pick for a reading.

“I highly recommend a tarot reading from 

 at SpiritWays, one of my fave readers and witches in the city,” she says.

Transform the practice of catholicism into a ritual that honors your deepest self and that of all people.

“I consider myself a Catholic witch,” Bree says. “I’m a baptized and confirmed Catholic who was introduced to aspects of feminine mysticism of Catholicism by a devout family member, and I incorporate aspects of the religion into my witchcraft, though I am no longer a member of a church or parish,” Bree says.

For Catholic-specific goodies to incorporate into your magic routine, Bree recommends shopping at 

“The Retro is a great store if you’re a Catholic witch like myself looking for things like prayer cards, rosaries, and statues,” Bree says.

City Cast Denver’s Bree Davies, a self-described Catholic witch, shares where to get your first tarot reading, learn plant healing, and shop rosaries and prayer cards. 

How to Start Practicing Witchcraft in Denver 

Assemble Your Witch Starter Kit

Keep It Local

 host Bree Davies’ curated list of local witchy stores below.

, a locally owned metaphysical shop and gift store that’s been serving Denver with everything from essential oils to oracle cards for nearly three decades.

“One of my fave old-school Denver witchcraft shops! SpiritWays also makes kits for you with all the necessary candles, crystals, and spell guidance included. Don’t be afraid to ask at the front if you need help!”

Interested in witch life, but not sure where to start? Bree gets crystals and incense at 

, an ancestral medicine clinic and artisan shop that hosts 

 including full moon rituals, candle-making workshops, and DIY herbal classes.

“Love this place for the tools and accoutrements they offer, but it’s also the most diverse of the witch stores I frequent — they really welcome witches and folks from all spiritual and cultural backgrounds.”

🧹 Goddess Isis Books and Gifts (Englewood)

Named after the Egyptian goddess who symbolized healing, fertility, and rebirth, 

 is a longstanding local shop with an extensive inventory, available both in-person and online.

Best selection of tarot decks I’ve come across! I follow the advice that someone should 

 you your tarot deck, which makes Goddess Isis a great place to find a deck for a friend. Also great for bulk herbs.”

Crystals, candles, and herbal elixirs are just a few items you can find at 

, a witchy shop and apothecary where you can get a tarot or astrology reading while browsing found objects like 

I like their candle selection and bulk herbs! They also have house-made, custom candles you can 

Bree Davies of City Cast Denver shares the local shops she loves, with ready-made spell kits, full moon rituals, and candles for any intention. 

Best Metaphysical Shops in Denver

Metaphysical Supply Shops in Denver

Cool, rare, and affordable to boot? Sign me up! Here are a few places in Denver where your chances of a cheap score are high.

Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday year-round, 

 is an all-in-one shopping and entertainment experience that’s been operating since 1976. From roller coasters and carousels to live music and 

, this flea market can keep you entertained for a whole day.

 to get familiar with the layout and plan the vendors you’d like to visit.

 is a multi-level antiques mall spanning over 10,000 square feet and with more than 50 dealers, including 

. Despite the massive size, this shop remains well-curated and is easy to browse, whether you’re just looking or looking for something specific.

Antiques Etc also coordinates estate sales and offers liquidation services, should you need them!

 has six locations nationwide, but the dealers in 

 sell locally sourced vintage clothing, retro furniture, and hard-to-find collectibles. This means you can discover Denver and Colorado-specific gems, plus items from around the world.

Contemporary. Luxury. Retro. All manner of high-end and vintage styles collide at 

. This community-focused home goods store carries chic brands like Crate and Barrel, Arhaus, and Pottery Barn. There’s also a curated gallery where you can buy pieces from local artists.

This store drops prices the longer items sit on the floor, so it’s worth checking back again later for something you loved (but wished was cheaper).

Here are a few places in Denver where your chances of a cheap, cool, and rare score are high. 

Best Flea Markets and Thrift Shops in Denver

Flea Markets and Thrift Shops in Denver

Buying your costume at places like Amazon or Spirit Halloween might be easy, but it’s also boring. There’s less creativity involved in putting your look together (which is part of the fun!), and there’s a hot chance you’ll show up in the same outfit as everyone else. Skip the chain stores, 

. Beyond their mix-and-match program, which lets you choose different pieces for a custom look, they also carry hard-to-find items like 

. Plus, they love their customers: Show this Facebook post for 

Gott-A-Costume is full of yard decorations — including this ~actually terrifying~ 

 has been providing Denver with high-quality clothing and accessories from a bygone era. Their wide selection of dresses, formalwear, and suits provides the perfect backdrop for any DIY costume that needs an 

I especially love Boss Vintage for sourcing hard-to-find accessories, like elegant elbow-length gloves or a particular kind of suspenders.

With more than 20,000 costumes available for rent or purchase, 

 is ideal for those seeking a go-big-or-go-home Halloween. There’s also a wide selection of prosthetic limbs for decorating — not to mention shelves of scary masks. You can also find props for magical illusions here to take your Halloween displays to the next level.

 with a “lights on” option for kiddos and the easily spooked.

 has been around for over 40 years, and they’re still a go-to spot for dressing up in mystical, magical attire. If anything, this is a great place to go when you need costume inspiration. Browse their colorful wig trees, help kiddos choose their trick-or-treat look, or find 

This shop gets crowded around Halloween, so consider stopping by at a less-popular time, like during the day on a weekday.

Skip the chain stores this Halloween. These Denver-area costume shops offer rentals, vintage finds, custom looks, and a haunted mansion to get you in the spirit.

Where to Find Cool Costumes in Denver

Where to Find a Really Cool Costume

Considering ditching the witch costume this year for something more creative? Here are three timely, culture-forward costume ideas to consider this year — and where to get the local goods to bring your vision to life.

🎭 Costume Idea #1: Masquerade Guest from ‘Bridgerton’

From the masquerades of “Bridgerton” to the elegant Prythian fashion in “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (

), fantasy-filled period dramas are having a moment. Find elegant 

, stunning painted leather masks by local maker 

🔪 Costume Idea #2: Freaky Nikki from ‘Obsession’

Tap into the obsessive nature of this year’s most talked-about horror film by dressing as the all-possessed 

. The clothes should be easy to find at a thrift shop, but you’ll need some 

 on Colorado Boulevard to ensure your Nikki is abundantly freaky.

🐉 Costume Idea #3: A Character from ‘The Odyssey’

There was something uniquely unifying about the release of “The Odyssey” this summer. Apparently, ancient Greece is something we can all get behind. Choose your fave Grecian character, then find the perfect fit at 

Channel this year's buzziest shows, books, and films with finds from these Denver-area shops.

Halloween Costume Ideas 2026: Where to Shop in Denver

3 Locally Sourced Costume Ideas

 was a social movement that took place during the 1940s and 1950s and began among writers in New York City, most notably Jack Kerouac, emphasizing individuality, adventure, and a rejection of corporate industry. Denver is often thought of as the epicenter of the Beats because it’s the hometown of 

, who inspired Kerouac's “On the Road.”

Lean into the unique counterculture that Denver inspired and make sense of your deepest thoughts with these local businesses.

👓 Queen City Optical Provisions (Berkeley)

. Find something stylish, yet timeless and one-of-a-kind at Queen City Optical Provisions. This independently owned eyewear shop curates bespoke brands like 

 for your browsing pleasure. Because seriously, how could you not feel 

Don’t wear glasses? Help someone you love 

 with a Queen City Optical Provisions gift certificate.

When Neal Cassady wasn’t wandering the U.S. in search of inspiration, he had his nose deep in philosophy books at the Denver library, which was then housed in today’s McNichols Building. 

 through Civic Center Park and dive into some philosophy works at nearby 

, a longstanding used bookshop known for its eclectic selection, affordable prices, and excellent service.

 and give you store credit in exchange, so consider bringing a stack of your well-read faves.

Neal Cassady wrote Jack Kerouac a very long letter that later inspired “On The Road” with its 

 to find all the stationery you need to write a letter to a friend of your own. Think artsy greeting cards 

 that meet your snail mail dreams (just add stamps!).

,” but don’t be intimidated — the folks working here are anything but snobby.

Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady were both born during Prohibition. Toast to that while keeping things classy at 

, a speakeasy known for having a long list of classic cocktails and some of the best bartenders in the biz. What should you get? Maybe you’ll order one of Kerouac’s favorite drinks: A shot of whiskey with a beer chaser, known as a boilermaker. I’ll have the mac and cheese, please 🧀

Reservations are recommended at this popular spot, which also expects visitors to wrap up within two hours.

Hip specs, used philosophy books, snail mail supplies, and Kerouac's favorite drink: Find your inner Beat poet at these four local Denver spots.

Where to Buy Beat Poet Accessories in Denver

Where to Buy Beat Poet Essentials

There’s no better way to romanticize your life than with a train ride. That’s why we recommend 

 and taking the six-hour scenic route to Glenwood Springs.

Ponder the meaning of life as you pass stunning red rock formations, follow the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon, and get a new perspective on the wilderness that’s just a stone’s throw from the Mile High City. You might end up with so much inspiration that you’ll need to write it down in your 

 for a much-needed dip in nature’s healing waters. Look out at the mountains that Beat poet Allen Ginsberg surely visited during his long tenure 

. If you have more time to spare in Glenwood Springs, consider an overnight stay at 

. Opened in 1893, it has served guests for more than a century.

Looking for a scenic getaway? Check out this guide on romanticizing your life, riding Amtrak's California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs, and experiencing the historic Hotel Colorado.

How to Spend a Weekend in Colorado like a Beat Poet

A Beat-Inspired Weekend Itinerary

Say bye to Barnes & Noble and shop these local bookstores for fall reads, holiday gifts, or just a special treat for yourself ❣️

❤️‍🔥 Spicy Librarian (Five Points)

Reading a romance novel can feel shameful and even taboo, but 

 wants to change that. Through a curated selection of romance novels that spans every genre from fantasy to sports to queer love, Spicy Librarian has all the stories you need to keep your cheeks flushed — plus 

Keep your reading habit sustainable by shopping at 

, a mother-and-daughter-owned used bookstore in the Arts District on Santa Fe. Their 

— from hockey-themed love stories to domestic thrillers — means there’s bound to be something for every taste.

🏡 West Side Books & Curios (West Highland)

 is among Denver’s most beloved locally owned bookshops. This is a top-notch shop to patronize if you’re looking for a bookish community: Check out their 

 for author talks, book signings, and release parties.

 through the West Side Books & Curios page on Libro.fm.

Independent, inclusive, and passionate about promoting transformative conversations, 

 sells novels, nonfiction, poetry, and more literature written by people of color and the queer community. Matter bills itself as the only full-service, majority Black-owned bookstore in the Mountain Time Zone.

Matter is also a design consultancy and letterpress workshop, plus a shop for homewares, games, 

 is a family- and women-owned bookstore with a mission to bring Denverites together through stories. For every five books sold, they donate one book to a local organization via their Book Forward program.

When the holidays roll around and you need the perfect gift, consider a 

 Say bye to Barnes & Noble and shop these local bookstores for fall reads, holiday gifts, or just a special treat for yourself.

Denver’s Best Small Bookstores

The only hard part about reading is, well, finding what to read. Here are five recs that you can find at bookstores in Denver.

 “A Court of Splintered Harmony” by Sarah J. Maas

The latest installment in Sarah J. Maas best-selling fantasy series comes out on Oct. 26. 

 from Spicy Librarian — and maybe sign up for their 

, available from The Shop at Matter, explores queer violence in Jamaica in the 1980s — and what it means to survive where you’re not accepted. It’s already been nominated for the 

Unconventional family structures, estranged love, and profound grief shape 

 which is easily one of my favorite books this year. Buy it from West Side Books. (The audiobook is gold, too 🎧).

 The “Ninth House” Series by Leigh Bardugo

Secret societies, sixth senses, and dark magic collide in this fantasy trilogy. Start with the first two novels in the series, “

,” before reading the third and final book, “

.” All can be ordered from West Side Books.

5. Social Commentary with a Twisty End 🌾

Unlikable tradwife influencer gets transported back in time? Yup. Just read it. This one’s 

Looking for your next fall read? Here are five recs you can find at bookstores in Denver.

Books to Buy This Month at Denver Bookshops 

One approachable way to style a room is to find a single standout piece you love, then design around it. Here’s where to shop for some eclectic alternatives to common home essentials, which can serve as your design anchor for a room that really feels like you ✨

Swap the drab IKEA sectional for a comfortable and chic 

, located inside the Tennyson Street Warehouse.

? How about some avocado green chairs, or a 

 on East Hampden Ave has more than two decades of experience helping Denverites find the perfect furniture.

 — just a few of the unique pieces the owners have sourced from artisans worldwide.

Here’s where to shop in Denver for some eclectic alternatives to common home essentials, which can serve as your design anchor for a room that really feels like you.