Pearl Street Mall: The Best Shopping in Boulder

Pearl Street MallPhoto Credit: Downtown Boulder (DBI.org)

The towering concrete shopping centers that dot big and small cities alike may be what most people think of when they hear the word “mall,” but Pearl Street Mall is something very different. Running from 8th Street all the way to 20th Street, this iconic mall is a mash-up of nationwide chain stores and local boutiques—there is bound to be something for everyone.

More than just a shopping center, Pearl Street Mall is a piece of Boulder’s history that dates back to the late 1800s, and ever since 1977, it has been officially recognized as a historic site. Long-standing buildings have been restored, making Pearl Street Mall part of the soul of Boulder.

Finding Something for Everyone

Pearl Street Mall Art Fair
Photo Credit: Downtown Boulder (DBI.org)

These days, it can be tough to get all of your shopping done at the mall. If you’re looking for clothes, you’re set, but how often do you find a bookstore with a good selection of new and used books? Pearl Street Mall has five bookstores.

Multiple tobacco and cigar bars dot Pearl Street, but if wine and cheese are more your speed, the West End Wine Shop is accompanied by Cured, Boulder’s source for artisanal cheeses and cured meats.

And if you’d just like a souvenir or two to bring back home, Artmart, Bliss, the Boulder Bazaar, Momentum, the Two Hands Paperie, and the Tibet Gallery, are just a few of the options available that feature unique gifts.

But if you’re the kind of shopper who can spend all day in just a few clothing stores, Pearl Street Mall has the mainstream as well as the local and unique, ranging from American Apparel and Urban Outfitters to Weekends and Tough Luck Cowboy.

There’s even a pet shop, if you’re looking to add a furry friend to the family.

Come Back Again and Again

The truth is that even Boulder residents have a tough time taking in the whole mall in a single day, and since there are so many things to do in Boulder, you should make plans to come back for more of all the Pearl Street Mall has to offer every time you re-visit Boulder.