Where to Go Shopping in Aspen, Colorado

Cowboy chic is found at Kemo Sabe, where high fashion meets the Wild West. This friendly store is bursting with handcrafted cowboy hats, leather products, buckles and boots. And if you buy a pair of boots or a hat, it’ll be customized to make it a one-off. There are now two other Kemo Sabes, one in Vail, Colorado, and one in Las Vegas, but this is where it all began.

This funky boutique, featuring products from 70 or so local artists, is the most unusual shopping experience in Aspen. The store is housed in a brightly painted Victorian miners’ cabin and decorated with upcycled curios. Inside, you’ll find vintage clothing, hula hoops, natural dog biscuits, an oxygen bar, jewelry made out of old silverware… the list goes on. It’s best to just take a look yourself.

This restaurant-store hybrid was opened in 2014 by the brains behind the local Avalanche Cheese Company. As you might guess, they offer Aspen’s best selection of cheeses and local meats. But you’ll also find excellent wine, beer, artisanal breads and gourmet foods. It feels like shopping a finely curated farmers’ market and is a good place to pick up a souvenir. If you’ve got time, stop at the attached restaurant, which serves a modern menu with world influences.

Explore Booksellers, located in a charming Victorian house on Main Street, boasts an impressive selection of books to browse while the snow tumbles outside. Investigate the nooks of this historic building and discover your next page-turner. The idyllic store, which has been serving the community for 40 years, also sells beautiful journals, cards and unique gifts. If you’re lucky, it will be hosting a special event or author reading while you’re in town.

If top designer brands are your bag, this luxury consignment shop will make you giddy, with the world’s most vaunted fashion labels on offer at greatly reduced prices. The store resides in an huge outlet near the Aspen Mountain Gondola. New arrivals, selected by the Little Bird’s all-knowing staff, come in daily. Unsurprisingly, it has earned a reputation as one of the best consignment stores in the state.

The family-owned Ute Mountaineer is the place to go if you want to tackle Aspen’s unforgiving terrains. The staff are reassuringly experienced in all manner of outdoor activities. Grill them and get their local tips before you set out. Ute Mountaineer’s products are personally curated and based on the staff’s real-life expertise. The shop also holds occasional events and educational workshops.