Every town has its unique local finds and Loveland is no exception. Colorado’s Sweetheart City is known for its extensive sculpture collection and an abundance of very creative residents. Some make wearable art or design collectibles. Others know just where to find the most tempting baubles for their local boutique. Be sure to seek out these artists, makers and locally owned shops for one-of-a-kind finds the next time you visit
Shop Local and You Could WIN
This summer, shopping small and local can really pay off! The City of Loveland Economic Development and The Loveland Chamber of Commerce partnered to create the Small Business, Big Summer promotion to celebrate the local small business community. The promotion runs from July 1 – Sept. 6, 2024, and rewards shoppers for supporting the smaller shops in Loveland. Each Friday for 10 weeks a raffle will be held at the Loveland Visitors Center. Prizes include gift cards and gift baskets from the small businesses.
There are two simple ways to enter the weekly raffle. After shopping at a participating small business, participants can either show proof of purchase receipts at the Loveland Visitors Center (5400 Stone Creek Circle in Loveland) for raffle entry or simply fill out a raffle card at the participating business. Shoppers will also receive a small token of appreciation for providing a verified shopping receipt. Weekly raffle winners will be contacted following each Friday drawing.
Shop The Promenade Shops at Centerra (5971 Sky Pond Dr., Loveland)
Featuring over 70 specialty shops and restaurants in a walkable outdoor mall setting, you’ll find some notable local boutiques among the well-known big brands at The Promenade Shops at Centerra:
Hometown Shops: High quality handcrafted jewelry, home décor and unique gift items from local small businesses; like a Loveland Etsy store come to life!
Olive & Herb: Shop for oils and vinegars, seasonings and salts, sauces, rubs, dips, condiments, snacks, home and kitchen items and more.
The Spruced Goose: This boutique not only offers trend-setting clothing and fun specialty gifts like candles, home decor and jewelry but is also a woman/veteran/law enforcement-owned small business.
Shop Loveland’s Visitors Center
Raid this one-stop all-things-Loveland shop – The Loveland Visitors Center (5400 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland) is oh-so-much-more than a place to pick up pamphlets. Featuring merchandise from more than 25 local Loveland artisans and manufacturers, including glass hearts, bronze sculptures, locally made clothing and jewelry, gifts, toys, books, and local food items, this is a Visitors Center that is well worth a visit. Artists and makers include:
HeARTs of Glass: Loveland Artist Donna Gordon’s sculpted-blown glass hearts are truly exquisite. Donna’s hearts have become her signature pieces and are favored by collectors; she also crafts glass flames and bottle stoppers.
Peak to Peak Pottery: Potter Ruth Hartman is a member of the Northern Colorado Potters Guild and lives in Loveland, Colorado. Ruth creates one-of-a-kind functional pottery and each piece is individually thrown on a potter’s wheel and trimmed. Her glazing technique reflects her love of the mountains.
Alcohol Ink Hearts: Christine James’ art and jewelry pieces are inspired by “the Creator’s amazing palette of colors” on display at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Loveland. Christine’s one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces are made using alcohol ink, which creates stunning vibrancy and fluidity in each unique piece.
Wood Creations: Mountain Craftsmen owners John Metcalf and Marc Kray create bold, distinctive products including small furniture, home and office décor pieces, and artwork. This duo uses materials ranging from domestic and exotic woods to glass and poured epoxy resin to create their pieces. They are known for their exquisite attention to detail.
Wooden Ornaments: Husband-wife team Mitch and Bre Staut founded a wood décor company during the pandemic. Look for their unique-to-Loveland wooden ornaments on the Visitors Center tree.
Recycled Guitar String Earrings: Loveland artist Sandi Nelsen is an accomplished mosaic artist; her work is exhibited in several states in both public and private collections. Sandi’s recycled guitar string earrings feature her artistic mosaic designs displayed on guitar strings upcycled from local musicians.
Papa Joe’s Honey: Papa Joe is a Loveland Bee Helper who creates local, unprocessed honey, comb honey, creamed honey, candles, and healing creams and balms made with beeswax.
Shop Downtown Loveland
Downtown Loveland is truly the heart of the city where you’ll find only locally-owned shops and boutiques…no chain or box stores here! Some of our favorite stops include:
Adobe Design Boutique (4113 W Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland): Located on the west side of town in a former winery, this local boutique offers high-end fashion and accessories, whimsical garden decor and rustic home goods. Explore the sculpture garden and discover a life-size cow statue, metal art designs and other garden goods.
PILAR Boutique (136 E. 4th St., Loveland): A downtown boutique specializing in soft, comfortable and trendy women’s clothing.
Vintage Willows Boutique (202 E. 4th St., Loveland): A trending women’s clothing boutique featuring dresses, shackets, basics, and more.
Pure Vibes Gifts & Wellness (121 E. 4th St., Loveland): Find what you need to heal your mind, body and soul; everything from crystals to jewelry, books to skincare, and more.
Soul Shine Botanica (442 N. Cleveland, Loveland): This herbal apothecary and boutique carries herbal health care, teas, tonics and other healing products.
Cloz to Home (120 E. 4th St., Loveland): A mother-daughter duo own this local boutique specializing in clothing, accessories, home goods and décor, and gift items.
Wild Posies (436 Cleveland Ave., Loveland): A downtown floral shop specializing in unique arrangements and high-quality handmade gifts and goods.
Downtown Art Galleries: Many internationally known and award-winning artists call Loveland home and showcase their artwork in galleries located throughout downtown Loveland. Three not-to-miss spots include:
- Independence Gallery(233 East 4th, Loveland) features paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, photography and more, all by Northern Colorado artists.
- Lincoln Gallery(429 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland) is owned and operated by the Thompson Valley Art League and provides a venue for member artists to display their work.
- Hart Gallery & Studio(135 E. 4th, Loveland) features expressionist paintings by owner Rene Hart, as well as work by two other painters mentored by Rene: Ruth Scott and Terry Librande.
Shop Super-Specialty
If you’re looking for something truly unique, inquire about Loveland’s mini sculptures. The Loveland High Plains Arts Council offers miniature versions of some of Benson Sculpture Garden’s beloved works, so you can “take home a piece of the park.” Call 970-663-2940 for more information.
