If you grew up in Colorado, there are some things you are guaranteed to remember. From Blinky the Clown and Barrel Man to the Blake Street Bombers, there are some things that are just iconically Colorado, including these seven stores that anyone from the Centennial State is sure to remember:
1. Cinderella City
Flickr/Mid-Century Pretty
Okay, so Cinderella City obviously wasn’t just a single store, but once upon a time, it was both the largest mall west of the Mississippi AND the best place ever to shop in Colorado! Sadly, Cinderella City did not receive its happily ever after and was demolished in 1999.
2. JAX
Jax Mercantile, Co Facebook
Growing up in FoCo, I have countless happy memories of visiting this outdoor dreamland with my parents and am happy to report that the outdoor mercantile and military surplus destination is still alive, well, and thriving at all six of its Colorado locations. (In fact, I named my oldest son Jackson, but we call him Jax… could this be because of my love for the store?! That’s for you to decide.)
3. King Soopers
Flickr/Bradley Gordon
Ah, Kings… whatever would we do without your super fresh produce, easy-to-earn fuel points, and your tasty (and oh-so-affordable) Kroger brand? Recently named the most popular grocery store in Colorado, King Soopers was founded in 1947 in Arvada and (thankfully) shows no signs of going away!
4. American Furniture Warehouse
American Furniture Warehouse Facebook
Even if you have never stepped foot in one of AFW’s countless Colorado locations (which, by the way, has been “bringing you the best prices and widest selection of furniture and home decor since 1975!”), you are sure to recognize founder Jake Jabs, his little granddaughter (that he keeps absentmindedly leaving in charge while he’s on vacation), and the iconic lions from decades of commercials.
5. Shane Company
Shane Co. (Westminster, CO) Facebook
“Now you have a friend in the jewelry business…” Not just a friend, Tom Shane, but a BEST friend.
6. Woolworths
Flickr/Gordon Joly
The F. W. Woolworth Company (or Woolworths) was the first store of its kind and is still considered a pioneer for such chains as Walmart, Target, and K-Mart. With several locations around Colorado, most Baby Boomers will remember shopping the five-and-dime, which sadly closed in 1997.
7. The Denver Dry Goods Company
Wikimedia Commons
Established in 1879, The Denver Dry Goods Company (or just “The Denver”) was at one time the largest department store west of Chicago and sold everything from housewares and furniture to jewelry and apparel. “The Denver” closed in 1987, leaving loyal patrons who lived by the store’s “Where Colorado Shops With Confidence” motto at a loss.
