Watch out online retailers: you can’t beat this brick and mortar bookstore. Open since 1973, this three-story powerhouse is a Pearl Street Mall staple and neighborhood icon. The minimalist exterior (the sign outside the store is a testament to directness: written in chunky caps, the word “BOOKSTORE,” hovers above black gridded windows) differs from the garish, if somewhat outlandish interior. For one, the bookstore is enormous; it boasts three fully-stocked stories of books, videos, and gadgets, with each floor offering a different layout and atmosphere. “The Ballroom,” Photo... Read More

Boulder’s best breakfast burrito, a classic dish smothered in green chiles and cheese, is made inside a shopping mall. Sancho’s Mexican restaurant, home of the aforementioned to-die-for burrito, is a hidden gem buried inside Diagonal Plaza mall, one of those half-abandoned 90’s relic spaces sparsely scattered with tattoo parlors and insurance agencies. The restaurant prides itself on its Mexican authenticity, which is reflected in the restaurant’s colorful decor and house made jugs of horchata and agua de jamaica resting on the self-serve counter. The atmosphere is free of pretension... Read More

We hear a lot about Boulder’s outdoor scene, but some of Boulder’s most interesting hobbies are happening behind closed doors. Silent, solitary activities that demand boxes over bike trail maps. I’m talking about collecting, where fandom meets nostalgia. Inside Crossroads East Shopping Center (30th Street) lies one of Boulder’s best hobby shops: CollecTons. While the shop’s design is austere, it’s shelves are fully stocked with collecting items and supplies. Collectors will want to know that they sell: Collectable Coins Stamps Trading Cards Comic Books Photo and Archiving Supplies Jewelry Of... Read More

Walnut Brewery’s Old Elk Brown Ale tastes like victory. Perhaps it’s because the English-style brown ale wins medals as often as the US Olympic gymnastics team; the beer is a two-time Silver and Gold medalist at the Great American Beer Festival awards. The brew is rich and malty, with notes of caramel and chocolate and subtle hops. The beer is as delicious as it is interesting and needs to be on ever beer snob’s bucket list. Of course, the brewery offers lots of delectable brews worth tasting. Some of my favorites? 1123 IPA  I love a good, strong IPA. This hoppy brew is tropical... Read More

Last Wednesday, I saw into the future. Boulder Techstars’ public Demo Day played the part of crystal ball, foretelling a future of virtual reality and revolutionary healthcare platforms. The 13 startups of Techstars’ 10th-anniversary class offer a new reality: a future that prioritizes efficiency and convenience to the point that the questions “Is there an app for that?” becomes on par with “Is the sky blue?” Every startup deserves praise for undertaking a monetary risk in the name of making our lives easier. However, as a young professional seeking both organization and inner peace,... Read More

Riffs Urban Fare in three words: trendy, whimsical, exquisite. I love this contemporary cocktail lounge so much; I dare say they serve the most innovative, creative meals in all of Pearl Street Mall. Need more convincing? Here are some of the amazing features this eatery offers: The Ambience Riffs Urban Fare’s cocktail lounge setting is two parts cool, one part whimsy. The contemporary interior is balanced with quirky wall fixtures, like the framed jigsaw puzzles or blush colored moutainscape painting that engages the expanse of the wall behind the bar. In size, the restaurant is modest, containing... Read More

Lindsay’s Boulder Deli at Haagen Dazs on Pearl street has a rich history of feeding the Boulder community. Lindsay Shaw, the deli’s owner and namesake, has devoted her whole life to satisfying customers, serving ice cream at her father’s shop in Atlanta, Georgia, since “before she could see over the counter.” Now, Shaw makes a point to be visible at her deli, taking orders at the counter, preparing sandwiches, and stopping by chat with tables. Her devotion to customer care is legendary, and is something she’s written into her company culture. As a rule, customers are greeted warmly... Read More

In an athletic town like Boulder, access to quality chiropractic care is a must. A good chiropractor relieved back and neck pain, protects the delicate central nervous system and can increase athletic performance. If you’ve ever gone to a good chiropractor, you know how good you feel after an adjustment. And, if you’ve ever gone to a bad chiropractor, you know the sting of paying a high copay for mediocre care. The Joint is an award winning, inclusive chiropractic center with a mission to improve your quality of life through routine and affordable care. My partner and I visited The Joint for... Read More

I have big news. Save thousands of lives a year kind of news. Here it is: it exists, right now, an easy, accessible solution to the world’s texting while driving epidemic that causes nearly 2 million car accidents a year. And it isn’t a hefty fine or self-driving cars. The solution is Groove by Katasi. Its inventor, Scott Tibbitts, has all the characteristics of a person destined for greatness.  As a former space entrepreneur, Tibbits built over 3,500 devices for NASA which never once failed in the vacuum of space. What makes him stand apart from other rocket scientists is his  ability to... Read More