Everything you need to shop local in Greeley, Colorado, this gift-giving season
The holiday season offers a time for family, community, and togetherness. And with those celebrations often comes the opportunity to exchange gifts. One way to spread that feeling of good cheer to fellow members of the Greeley community is by shopping small and local this time of year.
Whether you’re looking for bright copper kettles or warm woolen mittens to put in your brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of our favorite things to add to your shopping list that are made in Greeley, Colorado.
Gifts for a Sweet Tooth
We all get the occasional craving for something sweet. (Some of us more than others!) These local Greeley businesses offer the perfect remedy to satisfy the palate of the sweet tooth in your life.
Voulez-Vouz BonBon
Anna Martinez is an award-winning chocolatier who launched her own business, Voulez-Vous BonBon, just this year. She now handcrafts bonbons and other chocolate treats in small batches using ethically sourced chocolate, which can be purchased online or at pop-up events around Northern Colorado. The mouth-watering chocolates are almost too gorgeous to eat (almost). She regularly sells out of her stock, but she does take custom orders. Contact her early to get in line for your holiday goodies!
Mom’s Popcorn (900 9th Ave.)
Mom’s Popcorn makes gourmet kettle-popped corn, seasoned in-house in over 40 flavors. Whether you’re in search of an entire gift box, or a small popcorn bar to add to someone’s stocking, they’ve got the sweet treat to suit your needs. In addition to their surprising and delightful savory seasonings, they make sweet flavors like caramel apple, Mexican chocolate, chai vanilla latte, and s’mores.
Jenny’s Malt Shop and Diner (923 16th St.)
Not only does Jenny’s offer a full menu of classic 50s-era diner food (with the décor to match), but this spot also sells homemade toffee, fudge, brownies, caramel puff corn, and more. Their best sweet for a gift, however? It very well may be their handmade, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon chews! In addition to cinnamon, Jenny’s offers other flavors that change weekly. These dreamy treats are almost too good to share, so you might want to snag two batches—one for your gift and one for yourself! (Jenny’s is currently closed but reopens for holiday sales on Dec. 8.)
Other sweet tooth places to shop: Balloon Boutique, Happy Cookie, Warm Hugs Mixes and Gifts, Pope Farms Produce and Garden Center
Gifts for a History Buff
Whether the one-you-love loves experiencing a bit of history up close or they love filling their homes with items of historical significance, we’ve got you covered.
Greeley History Museum (714 8th St.)
Make new memories with tickets and a trip to the Greeley History Museum downtown.
The Greeley History Museum is a small museum that packs a major punch, with a mission to showcase and preserve Greeley and Weld County’s history through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, research and collections. It’s a perfect way to spend a quiet, blustery winter morning at an affordable price.
Be sure to catch the story of the infamous “Rattlesnake Kate” McHale Slaughterback, whose personal relics are currently on display. When you’re done, shop the gift shop, too! It’s equipped with books, merchandise and other great parting gifts for those who want to take their memories home.
Centennial Village Museum (1475 A St.)
Centennial Village is a living history experience that features over 35 historical buildings, costumed interpreters, heritage farm animals, and eight acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Visitors step back in time and learn about the settling of the western high plains, a time when grand houses, growing businesses, extensive prairies and agriculture were all a part of daily life.
Gift now and visit later: The museum opens for the next summer season in May.
The Downtown Oddity Parlor (906 9th Ave.)
A love of antiques … but make it a little bit goth. The Downtown Oddity Parlor (formerly The Strange and Unusual) specializes in antiques and oddities, like taxidermized critters in birthday hats, framed x-ray images, and bleached animal skulls decorated as twee fairy gardens. We know it sounds strange—it was in the name after all! But this downtown shop is truly one of the most surprising and delightful stores in Greeley. Swing by and wander the shelves in search for a gift as unique as its future recipient.
Other places to shop for gifts with history: Brooklyn Finds Design Co, Trinkets and Treasures, Lincoln Park Emporium
Gifts for an Adventurist
Everyone has the one person in their life who is a real-life Chris Traeger (if you know, you know). For that person, give the gift of physical fitness this holiday season.
Greeley Recreation
There’s a Greeley Rec opportunity for every budget: Pay for a membership, a day pass, or buy a series of classes. With indoor swimming facilities, walking tracks, climbing walls, and a miniature golf course, there’s something for every athlete to enjoy at one of our city’s recreation facilities.
Last fall, one of our staff member’s six-year-olds got a month of Greeley Rec tumbling classes as a birthday present, and it was one of his favorite gifts of the year!
Rogue Play Trampoline and Ninja Center (5800 West 18th St.)
Whether your inner circle includes an aspiring American Ninja Warrior competitor, or you simply have a preteen at home with energy to burn, consider a gift card to Rogue Play on the west side. With a separate play area for jumpers under 5, an obstacle course, and (of course) trampolines, Rogue Play offers hours of fun for your active gift recipient.
Planks Skateboard Shop (3820 West 10th St., Suite B8A)
This is the perfect present for the dedicated skater in your life. Planks Skateboard Shop builds handmade boards. Shop the perfect parts and designs, and their team assembles your dream board. Their shop features boards with gorgeous artwork to choose from, some of which are designed by Colorado artists.
Other places to shop for fitness themed products and classes: Blue Sky Cycles, Balanced Movement Yoga, Altitude Running
Gifts for an Arts & Culture Enthusiast
Does your best friend always have flecks of paint on their hands or clay under their nails? Can’t get your nephew to put down a book once he’s started reading? Is your best friend a recovering “theatre kid”? (It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me…) This is the gift category for the creative or creator you know.
Union Colony Civic Center (701 10th Ave.)
The Union Colony Civic Center just started releasing information about their spring semester shows. There will be classic rock. There will be acrobats. There will be a live musical version of the movie “Madagascar” (yes, really). Purchase season tickets for the eclectic arts lover in your life or tickets to a single performance you know they’ll love. Make it a date with tickets and gift card for dinner and drinks at one of our lovely Greeley Grub restaurants!
Margie’s Boutique (931 16th St.)
The boutique tucked inside Margie’s Java Joint sells a variety of goodies, like stickers, soaps, candles, cards, clothes, and local artists’ prints and paintings. Grab a lovely coffee or juice from the counter, then take your time searching out the perfect present for the art lover in your life.
Because Margie’s rotates which artists they feature in-store, you are bound to find something unique and personalized for everyone on your list. Plus, Margie’s promotes each artists’ info alongside their products, so you know exactly who you’re supporting and what their art is all about. These gifts come with a personal feel and allow for a great unwrapping story and experience.
The Midnight Oil Bookstore (827 10th St.)
Kick Amazon to the curb and swing by The Midnight Oil for your nearest and dearest fiction fanatic. Most of their selection is used (mmm… old book smell!), which means this purchase has the added benefit of saving paper in the process. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Midnight Oil takes special orders for books they don’t readily have in stock and partners with Libro.fm if you prefer to purchase audiobooks instead of print.
Betony Coons
Even if you don’t know her by name (yet!), you know her work: Local artist Betony Coons’ murals are featured all over Greeley, on utility boxes, the alleyways, on the sides of coffee shops, and more. Her work evokes a sense of whimsy, imagination, and wonder, which she says is inspired by her life growing up on an apple orchard in Kansas. Her artistic mission is “to begin writing a better story for our lives and to share that story with others.”
By visiting Betony Coons’ online shop, you can purchase original artwork, prints of popular pieces, clothing, and (our personal favorite!) “Bloom Where You Are Planted” Greeley themed totes.
Other places to shop for art and entertainment gifts: Art Haus Ceramics, Dance Factory, Music Depot of Greeley
Gifts for your Fanciest Friend
For some people, “treat yo’self” is a way of life. The gifts below make the perfect addition to the collection of anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.
Lady at the Well
Who doesn’t love a bit of encouragement to focus on self-care? Lady at the Well handcrafts soaps, lotions, and other household products that are infused with essential oils. Several local retailers carry her products, or shop online. Her holiday scents and gift sets are perfect for this cold and dry time of year, especially for those with sensitive skin.
477 Distilling (825 9th St., Unit B)
Everyone knows the names of the incredible microbreweries across town, but don’t sleep on our distilleries, like 477, the Shine Shop, and Syntax Spirits! Their bottles make the perfect gift for the person in your life who loves to craft elevated cocktails at home.
477 Distilling sells bottles of classic liquors like award-winning bourbon and gin. But the real holiday fun comes from their specialty seasonal batches, infused with flavors like chai, cinnamon, and peanut butter! With a December nip in the air, for many the perfect gift is all the ingredients they need to make a favorite drink at home under a blanket or next to a crackling fine.
Mariposa Plants and Flowers (801 8th St #110)
Pick up a new “baby” for your favorite plant mom! In addition to traditional bouquets and plants, Mariposa offers classes for those who want to learn how to build their own Instagram-worthy centerpieces, and—our favorite—a DIY terrarium kit to keep your outdoor gardener busy during the winter months.
Other places to shop fancy finds: WM Moore Jewelers, Greeley Hat Works, Blush Boutique, Girl Talk Makeup
Looking for something else? Find more Greeley spots to stop and shop through the Greeley Chamber of Commerce or the Downtown Development Authority’s Business Directory.
