And other fine reasons to shop local in Parker.
We submit some pretty sound reasons to take your shopping dollars to the small, one-of-a-kind businesses owned by your fellow Parker residents. For starters, you’re bound to find more interesting gifts (and cool things for yourself). After all, Aunt Marie has her own Target in Duluth, but she sure doesn’t have access to the handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and home décor you can find on Mainstreet in Parker, not to mention the lasting quality of merchandise made with care.
And don’t forget the value (and good karma) of keeping your money in the community. As reported in this Time magazine article about buying local, a study compared what happened when people bought produce at a supermarket vs. a local farmer’s market: Twice as much money stayed in the community when folks bought locally.
“’That means those purchases are twice as efficient in terms of keeping the local economy alive,’ says author and researcher David Boyle. Other studies have agreed, showing that for every $1 spent locally, 45¢ is reinvested in the community. From nonlocal purchases, 15¢ remains, at most. Shop in Parker and you’ll help add local jobs and greater sales tax revenue, which means more money for schools and roads.
And if that’s not enough, shopping locally tends to be more fun and full of surprising finds. This directory of Parker shops offers tips on what’s out there, and identifies which businesses are owned by Parker residents.
Here are a few highlights:
7Twenty Boardshop
Started, built, and run by riders, this shop carries skateboards, snowboards, longboards, shoes, clothing, sunglasses, and many other accessories . They focus on well-known brands like DC, Vans, LRG, and Volcom, as well as unique local brands like CandyGrind, Kriminal Apparel, Aksels, Fluidium, and more.
720 Boardshop
18551 East Mainstreet
(720) 842-5366
Cinderella Ranch
Owned by a local mother-daughter team, this shop offers ladies’ and juniors’ clothing, jewelry, accessories, and boots in the vein of “fabulous, flirty, and feminine.”
10970 S Parker Rd
(303) 840-2303
Fruits of Our Spirit
Located in the historic Rhode Island Hotel building, Fruits of our Spirit specializes in rustic home décor, carrying a large selection of candles, wreaths, potpourri, clocks, furniture, seasonal, linens, calendars, paper goods, inspirational gifts, and handmade pottery from local artists.
19565 E. Mainstreet
(303) 840-7266
Great Finds
This specialty boutique offers home décor, antiques, and women’s clothing. A fine source for interesting gifts and holiday items.
10311 S. Progress Way #S3
303-264-8934
Mainstreet Flower Market
Earning Parker’s “Best of the Best” rating for seven years running, this flower shop offers some of the metro area’s freshest flowers, plants, and gift baskets. All arrangements are custom-tailored to each client.
19555 E Main St Ste. A
Parker CO 80138
(303) 841-5866 (800) 508-5866
Red Carpet Boutique
This local owner, a former co-star on the MTV clothing design show, “House of Jazmin,” specializes in “Hollywood looks for fabulous prices.” Three to six pieces of handpicked tops, tunics, and dresses arrive weekly from Los Angeles. Purses, jewelry, accessories, and shoes are often offered one-time only.
19878 E Hilltop Rd
Unit #103, Parker, CO 80134
(720) 381-0174
The Parker Shoppes
A 7,000-square-foot cooperative boutique with 20 dealers, featuring vintage-to-trendy home décor, fashion, and gifts, and supplies for DIY projects. The space is described by the owner as a store “with all of your favorite Pinterest ideas.”
