Five minutes from the DU campus is Old South Pearl Street, a delightfully unique mosaic of gourmet restaurants, trendy boutiques and independent art galleries. The shops stretch from East Jewell Avenue to Buchtel Avenue. To get there, drive one mile west of campus on Evans, then turn north on South Pearl.
Since the first trolley car line came to the area in 1893, South Pearl Street has been a hub of local activity. Its small town charm is fostered by the lack of large chains and the quaint boutiques located in converted houses – no large box retailers here or tall buildings. With over 50 shops and restaurants, there is always something new to try or something old to savor: here are four stops on Old South Pearl Street you shouldn’t miss.
Izakaya Den
One of the best sushi restaurants in Denver is Izakaya Den, sister restaurant of Sushi Den, located at 1518 S. Pearl Street. The sushi is fresh, priced from $4 to $10, and the sake selection plentiful. The Japanese-style tapas section of the menu has more than one dish to die for, including Nikumaki, a derivation of Japanese street food with asparagus and burdock root salad wrapped in thinly sliced beef tenderloin for $12.
Don’t forget to ask for a table by the front window, which is opened on warm days, revealing an additional patio perfect for watching life on Pearl Street. Izakaya is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. Come early to avoid the crowd – Izakaya does not accept reservations on Friday or Saturday (www.izakayaden.net).
The Whole Cat & Dogs, Too
Located at 1540 S. Pearl Street, this pet store is hard to miss, with its windows filled to the edges with stained glass shaped like your favorite K-9 companion. They offer the largest selection of natural pet food in Denver, and also make customized flower remedies for your pet starting at $19.95, including a private consultation. The Whole Cat & Dogs, Too is more than a place to buy things for your pet, however: they are part of the pet community. It has a donation box for the Metro Care Ring in store, and on May 28 the Denver Dumb Friends League’s Meow Mobile will be stopping by to promote affordable options for getting your pet spayed or neutered. The store is open Monday from 12 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 303-871-0443 for information.
5 Green Boxes
This unique boutique is more then just a store, it’s two: The Little Store at 1596 S. Pearl St. and the Big Store at 1705 S. Pearl St. Both locations are brimming with quirky and colorful merchandise, which make them a one-stop shop for any gift-giving occasion. The Little Store is a women’s boutique with an impressive collection of accessories. Whether you’re looking for a pair of $20 silver spiral earrings or an $80 Maruca purse hand-stitched in Boulder, you can find it here. The Big Store specializes in home decor and “fun-iture,” like one-of-a-kind chairs made by using bound wool and jacquard tapestry fabrics. The creations have been described as fabric wedding cakes and range in price from $400 to $2,000. Both stores are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. (www.5greenboxes.com).
First Fridays and Farmer’s Market
Old South Pearl Street has more to offer than just restaurants and shops. From April to December on the first Friday of every month, the area hosts the First Friday Art Walk, where local galleries debut new artists at open houses from 4 to 8 p.m. There are drinks and appetizers on a first come, first served basis at most galleries.
The return of summer also means the return of the Pearl Street Farmer’s Market. Every Sunday morning from June to October, the stretch between Florida and Iowa is filled with local farmers pedaling their homegrown goodies. Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the farmer’s market is a fresh and affordable alternative to grocery story products. For more information on events happening on Old South Pearl Street, check out www.oldsouthpearlstreet.com.
