52 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | pretty much any type of plant (houseplants and outdoor) you can think of is here; before you know it, you could fi ll a cart with fl ow- ers, cacti and weird plants you’ve never seen before. Echter’s also has a fun collection of plain and decorative pots, and if you buy one for your plant, the staff will re-pot it in the store for you. The garden center also hosts workshops and classes for those interested in keeping their plants alive. Best Way to Spice Things Up at Home Savory Spice Shops Multiple metro locations savoryspiceshop.com In 2004, Mike and Janet Johnston opened the fi rst Savory Spice shop in LoDo, and to- day there are close to thirty locations, seven of them along the Front Range. The stores are well stocked with spices from around the globe, and the knowledgeable staff will help you narrow down your selections. Customer favorites include Whiskey Barrel Smoked Black Pepper, Salted Caramel Spice, Peru- vian Chile Lime Seasoning and Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste. There are also packets of blended spices to make taco soup, marinara sauce or huli huli chicken. Everything is avail- able online, too, along with an extensive array of recipes to help you up your dinner game. Best Place to Buy Seasonal Local Produce Heinie’s Market 11801 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge 303-425-9955 heiniesmarket.com As late summer turns into fall, it becomes impossible to miss the smell of roasting green chiles in many parts of Denver. For devotees of Colorado’s homegrown Mirasol chile, though, it’s a matter of sorting through a haystack of Hatch roasters to find the Pueblo peppers. Heinie’s has been doing it for 75 years and knows where to get all of the state’s best produce — chiles from southern Colorado, melons from Rocky Ford, corn and peaches from the Western Slope. Repeat customers are rewarded over the course of the summer, as they get to see what’s com- ing into season next, what crops are in their prime, and what’s tapering off for the year and might be gone the next week. Best New Grocery Store Clark’s Market 7059 East Lowry Boulevard 303 647-3500 clarksmarket.com Tom Clark Sr. opened the original Clark’s Market in Aspen in 1978, and the company has since grown to eight locations, including the Lowry outlet, which opened in 2023 with Tom Clark Jr. at the helm after his father’s retirement. Falling somewhere between Sprouts and Whole Foods price-wise, Clark’s is impeccably tidy and carries gourmet items as well as basic groceries. Reasonably priced grab-and-go meals include sushi, pasta dishes and stone-fi red pizza. Flowers, baked goods, an array of cheeses, a friendly staff and a wine and spirits section make this a welcome ad- dition to the Lowry neighborhood. ■ Shopping & Services continued from page 48
