Retail revolution invites shoppers to stay awhile
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Clothing racks and tables at Drifters in Longmont. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios Boulder
Shopping in Boulder County now comes with something to sip or snack on.
The latest: Two unusual retail mashups have recently arrived: Drifters, a thrift store and cocktail bar in Longmont, and Chocolate + Cashmere, a Boulder boutique selling precisely what its name promises.
Why it matters: They're part of a growing "experiential retail" trend, as brick-and-mortars offer something online shopping can't: a reason to linger.
Zoom in: Drifters, at 624 Main St., combines curated vintage and secondhand clothing with a full bar serving beer, wine and fresh-squeezed cocktails, including $10 margaritas, greyhounds and bee's knees.
- The shop, which opened in September, also hosts karaoke, live music, comedy, drag and poetry readings.
Zoom in: Longmont's Juniper Goods, at 659 Fourth Ave., bills itself as a boutique, coffee shop and zero-proof bar, selling clothing and home goods alongside espresso, brunch and nonalcoholic cocktails.
Meanwhile: New Mexico-based Chocolate + Cashmere has opened its first Colorado location at 947 Pearl St. in downtown Boulder, pairing cashmere clothing with handmade bonbons and other artisan goods.
- The concept is built around treating yourself to something cozy and something sweet.
The big picture: Retailers are increasingly leaning on experiences to make physical stores destinations.
- Retailers are turning to coffee and smoothie bars, art installations, and gathering spaces to make customers want to stick around, Vogue reports.
- Major brands have experimented with the same: Ralph Lauren has Ralph's Coffee, and Coach has been expanding its Coach Coffee Shop concept.
My thought bubble: My tolerance for clothes shopping is roughly zero, so I'm in favor of options beyond the lonely boyfriend bench.