Shopping in Crested Butte
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A stroll down Elk Avenue in the historic district of Crested Butte feels a lot like walking through the movie set of a Victorian mining town, with implausibly quaint shop facades and cute wooden houses dwarfed by a back drop of almost surreal craggy mountain peaks.
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A glance into some of the shop windows does little to dispel this sensation – handcrafted jewelry, antique furniture and artifacts, hand-woven oriental rugs and accessories for the avid hunter and fisherman. But modern tastes are represented too with an array of fine boutiques, excellent sports outfitters, unique gift and souvenir shops, art galleries, splendid cookware, book and toy shops.
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There are also some truly one-of-a-kind specialists like “Spin a Christmas Tale” which is crammed to the ceiling with festive ornaments. Shopaholics will have a field day.
For a comprehensive listing of the many unique shops in Crested Butte visit www.crestedbuttechamber.com/main/retail.htm
Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping is slightly more challenging. If you are arriving via Gunnison you will do well to stock-up at Safeway or City Market where you will enjoy a far more extensive selection of groceries (particularly fresh goods) than can be found in Crested Butte. (If you arrange a private taxi charter with Alpine Express they will happily escort you around the grocery and liquor stores of Gunnison before bringing you up to Crested Butte).
That said, Clark’s Market in Crested Butte can cover all your basic needs but their range is limited and expensive – fine for ‘topping-up’ your supplies but not ideal for a comprehensive grocery shop. Next door you’ll find Acme Liquors who have a surprisingly good selection of beers and wines.
Within Mount Crested Butte itself there is a liquor and very basic grocery store located at 611 Gothic Road (on the main road, not far from the base area). The bakery in the base area will keep you supplied with fresh breads and goodies.