Dedicated to independent shoppers and retailers

Direct to you from Janet Simons, author of the Colorado Smart Shopper and veteran Rocky Mountain News shopping columnist.

The sidewalk sale is over in Cherry Creek North, and the Courtyard Sale is done at Tamarac Square. But sales continue at both shopping areas at three stores that have not renewed their leases.

There’s a “For Lease” sign in the window of Pinecones, 2827 E. Third Ave., 303-355-5405, a lovely shop specializing in fashionable alpine-oriented apparel, furnishings, gifts and accessories, The owners – mother, Marilyn Nicola; daughter, Rondi Berge, and son, Jan Berge – moved into Cherry Creek North last fall, following on the success of Pinecones in Vail. Until the lease issue is settled, storewide discounts -- which started at 30 percent off during the sidewalk sale – will continue indefinitely, and stock will be replenished with merchandise from the Vail store.

CB Paws is closing the Denver outpost of Aspen’s fun, high fashion pet supply emporium at 278 Fillmore St., 303-322-7297, so look for increasing discounts as selection diminishes. When we stopped by a week ago, we found the store to be friendly, service-oriented and well-stocked, and discounts ranged from 10 percent on mugs and toys to 50 percent on leashes and sweaters. For more information, go to cbpaws.com.

And yet another local retailer is following Pine Creek Clothing, Baudine’s and Barbara & Co. out of the Tamarac Square mall, 7777 E Hampden Ave. This time, it’s Rosey’s Apparel, 303-337-7870, where owner Rosey Shaw already has found a home in the new Park Meadows Vista Shops in Lone Tree. Meanwhile, through mid August, all clothing is reduced by 30 percent to 60 percent. That means tanks and tees start at a mere $10 and dresses and pants start at $20. But that’s not what’s really special.

That would be the handpicked selection of jewelry and accessories, marked down by 20 percent to 50 percent. So, says Shaw, “fabulous turquoise necklaces” are $37 to $200.

When Pine Creek Clothing Co. left Tamarac, it landed at 1099 S. Gaylord St., 303-733-4848, on Old South Gaylord Street, and that’s where summer bags, dresses, tops and other hot-weather goods are reduced by 30 percent to 50 percent – and the discounts will get deeper as Labor Day looms.

Pine Creek is participating in the Brighton Jewelry “Feed Our Friends” promotion. Participating stores donate a portion of their sales to a selected charity, and Pine Creek’s choice is Denver’s SAME Café (So All May Eat), www.soallmayeat.org. The charities chosen by local stores will be considered to receive an additional donation from Brighton nationally, www.brighton.com.

And what about Barbara & Co.? The trend-setting boutique is following its former neighbor to Old South Gaylord -- 1067 S. Gaylord St., to be precise – the former site of another trend-setting boutique, Sarah.

Urban Roots, 1000 Acoma St., 303-893-4064, a garden shop specializing in plants to brighten balconies, porches and other small spaces, is clearing away all annuals, trees and shrubs at 30 percent off – until they’re gone. For more information, go to www.urbanrootsdenver.com.

Petite Patoot, 1238 S. Broadway, 303-733-3337, has landed a large selection of Roxy clothing for girls size 5 and 10, and it’s all going at 50 percent to 60 percent less than retail. The shop also has 90 pieces of new and previously worn boys’ and girls’ Oillily clothing in all sizes at 70 to 80 percent off retail.

We’re going to take the word of the knowledgeable folks at Modern Bungalow, 2594 S Colorado Blvd., 303-300-3332, who tell us that anyone who wants a new dining room set delivered in time for Thanksgiving needs to order it in July. That’s why seven pieces or more ordered through Modern Bungalow from Simply Amish by July 31 are 30 percent off. To peruse the entire Simply Amish catalog, go to www.modernbungalow.com/furniture.

This e-newsletter is an effort to help both consumers looking for great deals and small retailers trying to survive against the Wal-Marts of the world. Please tell me about the wonderful stores, fantastic deals and amazing shopkeepers you know about by sending an e-mail to Janet@bestcoloradodeals.com.

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