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Latest Fort Collins hotel reviews
The downtown area of Fort Collins has a terrific collection of places to explore. In addition to the restaurants, of which you can find many, there is also a wide variety of shopping options. Many locally-owned stores, covering things from toys to bikes to used clothing. Mostly small places, the bigger stores are further out on the fringe of town. But delightful stores. Check out Nature's Own, a store filled of wonderful nature objects and toys, Science Toy Magic ((970) 484-2377), the most unique toy shop in town, The Mountain Shop, for all your outdoor needs, and Curiosities, full of all manners of curious and unique gifts and jewelry.
Take your time to wander across the downtown, shop and eat and enjoy the promenade area.
Written Jan 8, 2010
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With a lot of toys these days seemingly dumbing down kids, it is always refreshing to see a toy store that has innovative, engaging things for kids. Science toy Magic is one of these. In a store about the size of a walk-in closet, in the downtown area, Matt Hannifin shows you science magic. These toys use science principles, such as electricity and magnetism, to seemingly defy physics and amaze you. Matt is tireless and enthusiastic, making sure you are both intrigued and impressed. Some of these toys are only sold in his shop, or else he was the first to market them in the country. Stop by, chat with him; you won't be disappointed.
What to buy: Science toys... go in and investigate.
What to pay: They vary from $4 to $50, and everything in between.
Written Jan 7, 2010
Address: 11 Old Town Square, Suite 119, Ft. Collins, CO 805
Phone: 970-484-2377
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Absolutely nothing fancy about it, just a big store filled to the brim with "stuff" for your workshop.
What to buy: hooks for hanging things in your garage, clamps for woodworking, glues of all types, paintbrushes of all sizes and types, drill bits, hammers, tools and more tools, and so on.
What to pay: This is a pretty economical place to shop for these kinds of things.
Written Feb 25, 2008
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THIS LONG AND NARROW SHOP HAS BEEN HERE FOREVER, IT SEEMS. Sure, you can go to Barnes & Noble or Borders for a magazine, but for something different, try Al's News Stand. They have a huge selection.
What to buy: Any kind of magazine you can think of.
What to pay: standard prices
Updated Apr 25, 2007
Address: 177 North College Avenue
Phone: (970) 482-9853
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JAX USED TO BE CALLED "JAX SURPLUS" - AN ARMY SURPLUS STORE. It had acres of tables set up with government "stuff" for sale cheap. But Jax has evolved. Now its more of an upscale outdoor sports emporium.
Four photos of Jax attached.
What to buy: Wanna buy a kayak? A CANOE? they've got 'em. Hiking gear, camping stuff, an extensive collection of specialty maps, sweatshirts, etc. etc.
What to pay: Its a tad bit on the high side, but not out of bounds.
Updated Sep 24, 2006
This is probably the best used/previously owned store along the Colorado Front Range. The service here is wonderful and they always have a wide selection of unique items.
If you live in the Fort Collins area, consider consigning your items at this store - this is where I used to sell my stuff when I lived in town.
I've even taken friends from out of town here and they have almost always left with some unique item: ashtray shaped like an old fossil, kitchen plaques with directions for blood pudding, a nice men's hat, etc.
What to buy: Current and vintage clothing, jewelry and "curious goods."
What to pay: About average for a used item store in a campus town.
Written Sep 22, 2006
Address: 239 Linden Street
Phone: 970.493.1039
A rather large shop (compared to the others on Linden Street,) that features all sorts of educational and interesting nature-type things. The customer service is always great and they seem to always have a large selection of items on hand with great sale racks.
This is the ideal store to find great gifts for those at home. This September the entire back wall of the store featured a selection of salt lamps that were beyond beautiful - of course we had to bring one back. *grin*
What to buy: The store feature fossils, minerals, handcrafted onyx and gemstone jewelry along with educational toys and gifts, and about a billion other nature-type things from stuffed animals and t-shirts to hand carved platters of stone.
What to pay: Just about average for a fossil shop in a tourist district of Colorado. Of special note would be the great sale prices for larger purple geodes.
Written Sep 22, 2006
Address: 201 Linden Ave
Phone: 970.484.9701
Website: http://www.naturesown.com/
A whimsical store located in Fort Collins' Old Town area. The service is always excellent and the selection of unique gifts and home furnishings is always varied and wide. In general I would say that this store sells ecletic jewlery and gifts.
There is a large back room for posters and a small selection of very unique cards.
On my last trip I purchased a box of pirate bandaids and a set of "History of Men's Underware" magnets.
The arrangement of items can be a touch tight and the selection is a little on the mature side without being x-rated, so I'm not sure the store is excellent for those with younger children.
They say they are a "unique gift store specializing in jewlery, candles, cards, journals, clothing, and all the things you ever wanted but never knew about until now..."
What to buy: You can find almost anything unique here. From wind up nuns that spit fire, to Edgar Allen Poe bobble heads - you will not be lacking selection as you wander around.
What to pay: Just about avearge for unique home furnishings and a touch less than normal for the jewerly.
Updated Sep 10, 2006
Address: 242 Walnut St
Phone: (970) 495-0684
Although I listed this as a food and drink shopping tip, King Soopers is your standard Colorado front range grocery store. The great thing is that its open 24 hours a day and almost 356 a year.
What to buy: Anything and everything you might have forgotten to pack.
What to pay: Just about average for the front range. It will be more expensive than Wal-Mart type stores, but less than private owned drug stores.
Written Jun 11, 2006
Address: 4503 J.F.K. Parkway
Phone: 970.223.5759
Website: http://www.kingsoopers.com/
Animus Rare and Used Books is a wonderful place to pass some time while near the Old Town area of Fort Collins. A very small store, with hundreds of books attached to the ceiling, it provides both common and a selection of rare finds. Business hours differ upon if the town's university is in session, but upstairs at The Alley Cat Cafe, you can ask about when they will be open.
What to buy: Animus features a broad selection of rare and used books.
What to pay: About average for the area.
Written Jun 10, 2006
Address: 120 1/2 W Laurel Street
Phone: 120 1/2 W. Laurel
Website: http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-zshop/SNNYXS0OHRD28/102-8002422-8263323
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Animus Rare and Used Books is a wonderful place to pass some time while near the Old Town area of Fort Collins. A very small store, with hundreds of books...
146 members live in Fort Collins
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