Start at this cute, women-owned, Guatemalan-inspired café for a cup of coffee just before you hit Tennyson Street.
Shannon Tucker
4935 West 38th Avenue
Start at this cute, women-owned, Guatemalan-inspired café for a cup of coffee just before you hit Tennyson Street. Here, it’s all about community, diversity and valuing land and people (which is why the business is intentional about who it sources ingredients and products from). Recently featured in The New York Times, it’s easy to see why this place is drawing attention — it just feels good to be here amidst the vibrant colors and white bistro lights hanging from the ceiling, knowing that your purchase is supporting local artisans. Grab a Café Con le Leche and Champurrada, a classic Guatemalan cookie, perfect for coffee dunking.
Wooly Wax Candles
4424 Tennyson Street
Now that you’re officially on Tennyson Street, begin on the North end at this tucked-away women-owned candle shop founded by professional chef Rachel Woolcott. You may have seen Wooly Wax candles in gift shops all around Denver, but here, you can go straight to the source — and even catch a glimpse at how the candles are made. Wooly Wax creates custom scents and produces large batch candles for events and local businesses. Hosting a company Christmas party and need a gift that isn’t a boring branded mug? Ask Wooly Wax to create a candle that smells like “this meeting could have been an email.” Or maybe you’re getting married and want a gift people will actually use (koozies branded with the couple’s name are not it, people). Create a signature wedding scent and a parting gift that guests will love.
Stop into Tennyson Street Coffee and Books, a quiet and quaint shop just on the outskirts of the busy shopping district.
File photo
4418 Tennyson Street
By now, your first cup of coffee has worn off and it’s time to fuel up with your second cup of Joe. Stop into Tennyson Street Coffee and Books, a quiet and quaint shop just on the outskirts of the busy shopping district. Although “books” are in the title, this isn’t the place to buy the latest release from your favorite author (although if you’re into James Patterson, it’s your lucky day). The used books are more décor than anything. A great place to study, work, or meet a friend because it’s rarely slammed (especially compared to Huckleberry Roasters, the hip coffee neighbor a few blocks up). Here, you can relax and enjoy a conversation. On select evenings, come for events like First Friday Variety Night, featuring comedy, magic and puppetry.
Editor's Picks
Inspyre Boutique
4170 Tennyson Street
It’s time to find some new threads, and at this woman-owned fashion boutique, every item is under $100. Ideal for young professional women, the store sells clothes, hats, jewelry, handbags and more. While there are three other locations in greater Denver (Cherry Creek, Littleton and Park Meadows), the Tennyson location is perfect for browsing since you’re already in a shopping mood if you’re on Tennyson Street. Founded by Britni Jensen over 12 years ago, Jensen says she was “disheartened by the lack of options for a young professional who had moved beyond cheap trendy clothes but wasn’t quite ready to invest the kind of money that staple pieces at exclusive boutiques has to offer.” Pick up a funky tee, a cute Denver themed baseball cap, or a pair of trendy overalls without breaking the bank.
Get a handheld meal at the Pasty Republic.
Linnea Covington
4166 Tennyson Street
You’ve done enough walking, so it’s time to refuel with the perfect “to-go” snack — a pasty. If you’re not familiar with this delicious hand-held pie, it’s sort of like an empanada, but the crust and fillings differ. Pasties date back to the 13th century when they were served as a delicacy for the lords and ladies of Britain. Anyone from Michigan will perk up, as it was brought to the Upper Peninsula by Cornish miners in the 1800s. Grab a “Caretaker” stuffed with chicken, peas, carrots, garlic and cheddar or the “Miner” filled with steak, rutabaga, potatoes, onions and house seasoning. You can easily continue strolling and window shopping with a pie in hand.
Jolly Goods
4020 Tennyson Street
Uncle Tom’s birthday is coming up. You need a hostess gift. And your dog always deserves a treat. Check the box on all your needs at Jolly Goods, a gift shop in the heart of Tennyson that prioritizes locally made products and unique finds. Gourmet dog biscuits, homemade soaps, funny greeting cards, wacky stickers, and Colorado souvenirs (the non-tacky kind) are some of the fun finds. Good luck walking out of there without something for yourself, because you definitely need a pair of socks that say “drink and be Murray” adorned with Bill Murray’s face.
Denver Cat Company
3929 Tennyson Street
You won’t be planning to stop here, but the irresistible lure of a belly-up kitten snoozing in the sunlight window will make it impossible to walk by. Whether you have a reservation or just walk in, tickets are $15 and support the care of the adoptable cats. The kids may want to spend the entire hour playfully teasing a cat with a feather wand, which is fine because the adults can post up on the couch for a quick game of Uno (and if you’re lucky, a senior cat will hop into your lap demanding attention). Founded by a former lawyer over a decade ago, it is one of the oldest cat cafés in the nation. The purrfect spot (sorry) to rest your legs from all that walking — and you can feel good about giving love to animals in need.
There’s no better spot for a cocktail than Ok Yeah, a tiny cocktail bar tucked away in the back of restaurant Hey Kiddo, located on the third floor of an unassuming apartment building.
Jeff Fierberg
4337 Tennyson Street
It must be 5 o’clock somewhere, which means it’s time for a cocktail. And there’s no better spot than Ok Yeah, a tiny cocktail bar tucked away in the back of restaurant Hey Kiddo, located on the third floor of an unassuming apartment building. Here, you can order food from the Michelin star menu, but the real draw are the drinks. When you ask for a menu, they will simply smile and say, “Oh, we don’t have one.” And that’s part of the fun. List some ingredients you like, past cocktails you’ve enjoyed (they won’t judge you for mentioning a Long Island Iced Tea, but your friends might) and the bartender/magician will whip up a beautiful concoction that is somehow both familiar and different. On a nice day, ask if they’ll open the garage door for a lovely breeze and sweeping mountain views.
Head to Berkeley Untapped, a casual neighborhood bar whose motto is “drink, laugh, give” where you can grab a beer or simple cocktail.
File photo
4267 Tennyson Street
You’re already one drink in, so what’s one more? For the complete opposite experience of Ok Yeah, head to Berkeley Untapped, a casual neighborhood bar whose motto is “drink, laugh, give” where you can grab a beer or simple cocktail. The best part? For every drink purchased, you’ll select one of three nonprofits featured to receive a donation in one of three categories: environmental, animal or humanitarian. On a nice afternoon, snag a seat on the front outdoor patio, perfect for people watching. On a rainy evening, get cozy inside at one of the long wooden tables while a guitar player covers excellent cliche bar songs like "Wonderwall" and "Don’t Stop Believing."
Nude Foods Grocery
3538 West 44th Avenue
It’s time to wrap up your day, but what’s for dinner? Swing by Nude Foods, a small but elite grocery store, to pick up ingredients for a healthy meal you can feel good about. This feels like the grocery store of the future: the store’s goal is zero waste, which means everything you purchase comes in a reusable (mostly glass) container. The next time you shop, return your containers for $1.00 off each one. The store even has an in-house chef who makes grab-and-go takeout meals with vegan and vegetarian options. Items range from traditional (peppers, bananas) to unique (quinoa pancake mix, CBD chocolate). Even the traditional items are elevated — think locally sourced eggs or high-quality almond milk from brands you won’t find at Whole Foods.
