The Boutiques of Crested Butte, CO
When visiting Crested Butte, Colorado, and your husband wants to spend every day on the mountain snowboarding, what do you do? Go shopping! I met several women who were doing just that…Shopping in Crested Butte Co. It became the joke of the week. I’d say to a random women on the street laden down with shopping bags…”I bet your husband is up on that mountain.” They would laugh and respond “Yes!”
Shopping in Crested Butte Co
The town of crested Butte is charming. Little coffee shops, bookshops, clothing boutiques, and knick knack shops dot the main street in town – Elk Avenue. There are also a plethora of galleries. CLICK HERE to read about the galleries of CB. There is even a museum about the history of this old coal mining town. If you would like to hear more about snowboarding, and our epic road trip to the Rockies. CLICK HERE to read the first of a three part article.
Retail Therapy…is one if my favorite past times and just so happened to be the name of a cute boutique on Elk. The store offered all types of clothing, hats, and accessories. They had the most amazing super soft flannel shirts on sale…just a tad to big for me, otherwise I would have snagged one. I purchased a cute hair barrette here. Retail Therapy does NOT have a website or a FB page (that I could find) but I have included a phone number. Retail Therapy, 510 Elk Ave suite 5 #2767, Crested Butte, CO 81224 (970) 251-5445;
Favor the Kind
I just loved the name of the store Favor the Kind, so I had to walk in. I’m glad I did. I met Cady (pronounced Katie), the store director. She was super cheery and told me she had relocated from Vermont and has lived in CB for about three years. She loves it…the town, the community.
There were some fabulous sales in the back…shirts, hats, and more. I bought a lovely pair of amethyst earrings here. There are locations in Dallas, and Houston as well. Favor the Kind, 322 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224; https://www.favorthekind.com/
Casa Bella
Casa Bella is an elegant store featuring everything and anything you could possibly need for your home, kitchen, bathroom and more. Situated in the middle of town, in a historic yellow house, it’s one of those boutiques you could spend an hour in looking (and buying) everything. I bought several fun kitchen gadgets, and gourmet dessert sauces, soaps and more, before I decided it would be hard to hide any more items from my husband, so I decided to move on down the street. Casa Bella, 321 Elk Ave., Crested Butte, CO 81224; https://www.casabellacb.com/
Lavish
Another wonderful store, Lavish offered an eclectic assortment of accessories. I regret not purchase a fabulous see through purse that I had my eye on. When I returned from our road trip we headed straight to a Cirque du Soleil show and the Microsoft Theatre website was requesting that woman bring see-thru bags. This is the era we live in now. The owner comes straight from the fashion industry, having worked in New York, Texas, and Denver, and obviously has a keen eye. Lavish is a specialty store for items not found elsewhere in Crested Butte. Lavish, 234 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224; https://www.lavishcb.com/
Björkstam Hat Co
Last but not least I stopped into Björkstam Hat Co., where I met hatmaker Elle Truax. The unassuming owner was endearing and charming, as she talked passionately about how she created her hats. An artist in her own right, she even allowed me to film her while she worked. It was fascinating. She actually lit the top of the hat on fire, then sanded it down, and buffed it. It was quite a process – see @eattravelgo on instagram to view the video.
I found out later, Elle was an Olympic Skier prior to opening her shop in Crested Butte in 2021. She was always intrigued with hats and how they were made. After finding a pro to teach her the how-to of hat making, Truax’s path was forged, and she opened the storefront in Crested Butte. Stop in to purchase a one-of-a-kind hat designed just for you. Björkstam Hat Co., 229 Elk Avenue, unit B, Crested Butte, CO. 81224; https://bjorkstamhatco.com/
Colorado Real Soap Company
One more favorite shop of mine was located on the 2nd floor of a shopping unit. Colorado Real Soap Company has much more than soap. I found the most adorable handmade ornaments here (yes I did say ornaments – remember, I am a crazy Christmas lady…one can never have too many ornaments. I also bought some mineral bath crystals…and yes I did purchase their specialty soap (handmade in tiny batches)…smells so good. Colorado Real Soap Company, 318 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, 81224; https://coloradorealsoap.com/
These are just a few of the shops that impressed me. For more info on the shops of Crested Butte, see the chamber of commerce website – https://business.cbchamber.com
