Goldmine Vintage, located on Pearl Street, is known for its good selection of unique clothing and accessories, both vintage and new. (CU Independent/Jessica Koury)
With countless stores surrounding Boulder, explore Pearl Street’s independently-owned, original clothing stores.
The stores range from expensive to vintage cheap and preppy to alternative. Anyone looking for original outfits that will help them stand out among the crowd would be satisfied with something on Pearl.
Common Era: Variety on Pearl
From edgy, to sparkly, to library sweaters, Common Era contains clothes for anyone striving to look unique.
Colorful and dark accessories line the shelves, alongside dresses, skirts, chunky pumps and a large variety of hats. Some clothes look ‘80s, others appear more ‘70s and other clothes are more modern.
Debra Mazur, the owner of Common Era for over 10 years now and another store in Denver, said she loves owning a store.
“The style is very original,” Mazur said. “We have what I consider to be the best trends with an original twist.”
“[The store is] for people who love fashion and want to stand out,” Mazur said. “Almost everything people own [from here] are continuously completed.”
The economic crisis has not had a positive effect on many businesses in Boulder and nationwide.
“The Boulder store is suffering because not many people are shopping,” Mazur said. “Denver has a bigger population and now it’s the more successful store.”
She added that the Boulder store used to help Denver stay in business and now that has reversed.
“I’m really trying to get CU students in more; many don’t know about the store,” Mazur said. “I’m now offering a 10 percent discount with a CU ID.”
Syndic Brooks, a 13-year-old Centennial Middle School student, said she likes shopping at Common Era.
“I like all the trinkets,” Brooks said.
Mazur added that the My Common Era line is created in the store and that every item is one-of-a-kind.
“Everything is an original work that you can afford,” Mazur said. “You can come in to an open workshop and help design your own item.”
Common Era is located on the corner of Pearl Street and 15th Street. It’s open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Crystal Dragon: Everything hippie
Colorful to the extreme, Crystal Dragon carries on the hippie tradition that has been maintained by its owner for 30 years. This particular store has been around for 16 years, but another shop stood in its place before that.
Political bumper stickers paint the walls, incense waft through the store and brightly-patterned paisley and tie-dye catch the eye of anyone who walks in.
Sierra Rose, a 20-year-old Crystal Dragon employee, said that the store has a bohemian, hippie-like style.
“About one-third of our customers are college students,” Rose said. “Many freshman from out-of-state come in a lot at the beginning of school.”
Despite being one of Boulder’s biggest hippie shops, Crystal Dragon continues to struggle with business as a result of the economic crisis.
“You would think that the last place selling Grateful Dead tees wouldn’t be having a problem,” Rose said.
The multi-colored backpacks, bandanas, hemp jewelry, knit clothes and bright candles continue to attract people.
Sofia Novozilova, a 25-year-old Boulder resident, came into the store with her boyfriend.
“I like the incense,” Novozilova said. “I come in for the cards as well.”
Laura Riley, a 19-year-old sophomore English major, said she enjoys going to Crystal Dragon.
“I like the Grateful Dead shirts,” Riley said.
Alicia Conte, a 19-year-old sophomore anthropology major, came into the store with Riley.
“It’s a cool atmosphere,” Conte said.
Crystal Dragon is located on Pearl Street between 15th Street and 16th Street. It is usually open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Umba Imports: Creative community collaboration
A privately-owned cooperative, Umbra contains clothes and accessories from a number of local artists, crafters and fair trade importers.
The store is full of clothing from Bali, Thailand and India; exotic feather flare, blown glass earrings and tribal accessories. Lining the shelves are also belly dancing skirts, rings and all types of patterned clothes. When entering on a Saturday, expect a live band or DJ to be blasting tunes, whether it be Indian music or more rock and roll.
Lisa Noble just opened the store in September with her sister.
“The clothes are like those you would see at a music festival, not a regular store,” Noble said.
Lisa Perricone, a 24-year-old senior biology major, said she has never seen any store akin to Umba.
“I had no idea what I was going into,” Perricone said. “[The store is] cool and relaxing.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sara Juliet Fruman at Sara.fruman@colorado.edu.
1 comment
I worked for Common Era for years and I am AMAZED at how they are able to keep such affordable prices for being an independent store (It’s much easier to get low prices when you are a national chain.) They also really do seem to have the best variety- from great dresses for New Year’s to summer shorts and winter coats- I love their clothes and I shop there whenever I am in Boulder! I hear they opened up a Denver store too…?
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!