You don’t need an ocean nearby to become a good swimmer. Denver Olympians like Missy Franklin and Amy Van Dyken prove that.
But Denise Glass has always known it.
Denise grew up in Denver in the 70’s and 80’s as a competitive swimmer alongside her two older sisters and she’s still involved in aquatic activities to this day at Swim N’ Things. That’s the shop her parents opened in 1977, and which she now co-owns with her husband, Matt Glass.
“I've been here since I was 12 years old,” Denise says, reflecting on her role in the family business. “We used to go around to the swim meets and sell merchandise on the pool deck. And that's kind of how we got started.”
Denise’s parents eventually moved the shop into a brick and mortar space on Evans Avenue. Today, there’s something for every swimmer at Swim N’ Things, which stocks bathing suits and gear for competitive swimmers, vacation goers, water fitness enthusiasts, and even babies embarking on their first-ever swim.
Denise’s favorite place to swim in Colorado growing up was the former Celebrity Sports Center on South Colorado Boulevard, now occupied by a Whole Foods and a Staples. The Disney-owned complex, open from 1960 to 1994, had a huge bowling alley, an arcade, and one of the only Olympic-sized indoor pools in Colorado at the time (with the added bonus of two amazing waterslides!).
Like many longtime Denver residents, Denise has seen the city transform over time. Those changes have brought their challenges, but it’s nothing the family business hasn’t seen before.
“It was a tough go at first,” Denise says of Swim N’ Things’ early days. “All the companies, like Speedo, didn't give us any ounce of encouragement because they said a swim store in Colorado will never make it. Here we are, 49 years later.”
