42 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | ago, when she was looking for high-quality clothing at a price young professionals could actually afford. Catering to that group proved to be a smart idea: Jensen and her husband now own four Inspyre locations in the area. Inspyre’s pieces are classy yet fun, while the staff is attentive and will help you choose a look to let your ex know you’re in a better place. There are no fashion emergencies here. Best Unorthodox Way to Find a Date pitch-a-friend.com/denver Who needs dating apps and run clubs? Pitch-a-Friend helps Denver singles fi nd a date the old-fashioned way: through Shark Tank-style sales pitches. Partici- pants give fi ve-minute slideshow presen- tations about their single friends, aiming to sell them as prospective romantic part- ners to a room full of strangers at local bars and restaurants. After the pitches, audience members can chat up the bach- elors/bachelorettes during a mingling session. The unique dating experience launched in the Mile High City in Decem- ber and has held around a dozen events since, with many more scheduled in the coming months. It’s weird, but it beats swiping on Tinder. Best Place for Teens on a Budget to Buy (and Sell) Used Fast Fashion Plato’s Closet 1485 South Colorado Boulevard 303 782-4000 platoscloset.com Geared to a young crowd, Plato’s sells gen- tly used clothing, accessories and shoes for both men and women at low enough prices that a shopper is sure to go home with a trendy item or two (most of the merch is less than a year old). If you’re a seller, you don’t need an appointment; staff will look over your goods while you wait. Each store is individually owned and varies in selection; the Colorado Boule- vard space is a bit more upscale, with items from Chaco, Free People, Aerie and Urban Outfi tters. Best Place to Pretend You’re a Groupie for a ’70s Band Heady Bauer 2009 13th Street, Boulder 720-608-1133 instagram.com/headybauer Ready to get groovy? Legend has it that the founder of Heady Bauer traveled the festival scene across the country for over a decade, acquiring clothing, accessories and other items before opening a vintage shop and stocking it with the collection. Just off the Pearl Street Mall, Heady Bauer also has an open jam space on the shop’s upper fl oor, with instruments available for musicians of any level to hop in and experi- ment. Rad! Best Place to Buy a Cool Button The LambShoppe 3512 East 12th Avenue 303-322-2223 thelambshoppe.com The LambShoppe is a haven for anyone who loves knitting, crochet or embroidery; staffers are eager to help on projects. But even those who aren’t wizards with needles will appreciate the expansive collection of buttons in every shape and color at the back of the store — everything from tradi- tional circles to puzzle pieces, fl owers and rectangles. It’s inspiring to check out the stock and think about how you can spruce up your old clothes with just a few stitches and a dope button. Best Local Fashion Newsletter Strawberry Mountain 825 Santa Fe Drive 720-508-4699 strawberrymountainbst.com Strawberry Mountain is a fun place to buy and sell secondhand clothes, but it also puts out a fantastic monthly style newsletter that shares news of upcoming events, offers guidance on creating outfi ts from clothes in the store, and provides styling and sustainable fashion tips. Na- dia MacKinnon opened Strawberry Moun- tain in 2021, and the store quickly became a staple for Denver’s fashion community and a popular place to visit on First Friday. In an effort to slow down fashion and help locals create sustainable wardrobes, the store buys clothes and resells them at af- fordable prices. Strawberry Mountain also frequently collaborates with local artists. Lookin’ good, Denver! Best Hand-Printed Clothing Designs Atomic Salvage 1309 Marion Street atomic-salvage-vintage.square.site Atomic Salvage is packed with vintage shoes, sweaters, dresses, pants, shirts and even trin- kets like ashtrays, but it’s also a place to fi nd hand-printed clothing and support a local art- ist. Owner and Instagram fashion infl uencer @thrifty.jules upcycles old pants, shirts, night- gowns, totes and more with her unique hand- printed designs depicting clowns, kewpies, tigers, crying hearts and a popular “biggest slut at the antique Shopping & Services continued from page 40 continued on page 46
