If you’ve ever found yourself perusing Pearl Street Mall between Broadway and 13th Street, chances are you’ve had your eyes caught by an inviting, visually arresting set of window displays.
Below the store’s blue and white striped awnings, Peppercorn’s large, ever-changing displays will grab your attention, pique your interest, and make it impossible for you to not step into the store. Peppercorn is jam packed with a plethora of seasonal and staple kitchen, home, and décor items, always ripe for exploring. If you’re in that Pearl Street Mall window-shopping mood, you simply can’t just walk by. Peppercorn is a microcosm of Pearl Street Mall in and of itself — a collection of the creative, the artistic, the functional, and the local flair that makes it a perfect place for wandering, discovering, gift shopping, and getting into the seasonal spirit.
Peppercorn opened on Pearl Street Mall in 1977 and was originally a cooking school and small gourmet kitchen store. Independently owned since its inception, Peppercorn has grown considerably and has expanded into its present 12,000 square foot, two-story shopping heaven, featuring items from top kitchen brands like Le Creuset to smaller artisan products, gadgets, and décor. Peppercorn serves as an ever-evolving and always unique shopping destination where Boulder visitors can purchase local souvenirs while Boulderites can trust that they will find something new and exciting with each return trip. In recent years, items at Peppercorn have become available to purchase online, and Peppercorn has also developed gift registry options.
The true magic of Peppercorn, though, is getting immersed in the sensory overload of the store itself.
Patrons are susceptible to completely losing track of time while walking through the rows, stations, and abundant displays of merchandise (yes, I am speaking from experience). Whether you’re shopping for yourself, for a specific someone, or for no one in particular, a trip to Peppercorn will never disappoint. The following is only a small sampling of what can be discovered at the store.
In the back of Peppercorn you’ll find a section devoted to baking materials, supplies, and cook books, featuring high-end equipment as well as small baking accessories. From frosting piping bags, nozzles of every shape and size, whisks galore, and an extremely varied cookie cutter wall, this area will give the baker in your life major kitchen envy.
In another section, you will find a huge selection of cookbooks on shelves that reach from the floor almost to the ceiling. Whether you are looking for a book about a certain diet, how to make fifty different types of macaroni and cheese, cooking with kale in more ways than you knew could have possibly existed, soups and chili that promise to make you feel like you’re indulging by the fireplace après ski, or practically anything else you can think of, this is a section you’ll surely get lost in.
The huge variety of kitchenware throughout the stores ranges from rainbow-colored place mats and dishes to elegant pieces, from small kitchen gadgets you never knew you needed (such as the tiny grater perfect for mincing garlic) to sets of copper mugs to restaurant-style pepper grinders to coffee makers. There are perfect small, stocking stuffer-sized items, but also bigger ticket, very high quality items that would be great lasting gifts for the serious chef in your life. From camping cooking gear to both humorous and seasonal napkins and coasters, there is no telling what you will find in the store on any given day.
There are areas dedicated to grilling, pizza-making, homemade popsicle-making, and more. All of these sections lend themselves wonderfully to finding gifts for the people in your life always looking to push themselves, especially in the kitchen. For that person who is looking to learn a whole new method of cooking, Peppercorn is your one stop shop to finding the cookbooks or guides they need to educate themselves and all the tools necessary to set off on a new cooking adventure.
For home decor, the store boasts an enviable collection of candles, centerpieces, large wall fixtures, and more, from seasonal pieces to more permanent decorations. Peppercorn likewise features a large grocery section with a selection of gourmet and local candies, chocolates, hot sauces, honey, chips, and snacks for when you need a little boost of energy to keep on shopping. Venture upstairs and you’ll find anything from bedding to baby clothes to winter hats and gloves to sunglasses to jewelry and more. The staff is extremely friendly and ready to help you find whatever you’re looking for, understanding the store’s potentially overwhelming possibilities.
Peppercorn currently houses a mix of seasonal items from autumn through winter and all the holidays in between. Whether you’re looking for last minute decorations and favors for your Halloween party this weekend, or if you’re getting a head start on purchasing Christmas ornaments and winter holiday decor, block off a few hours on your calendar (just to be safe, you never know how long you might be!) and visit Peppercorn to find unique, creative, and fun items for use both seasonally and year-round.
Follow Peppercorn on Facebook to learn more about upcoming events and specials and on Pinterest to get a glimpse into how to take the treasures you discover in-store and integrate them into your home.
