If there’s one thing our Hive knows best, it’s this: Colorado is built on small businesses with BIG heart.
From family-run bakeries to quirky boutiques, from indie bookstores to neighborhood cafés where everyone knows your name (and probably your latte order), our communities thrive because of these incredible local gems.
So grab your reusable shopping bag, your sense of adventure, and maybe a snack (because we’re definitely stopping for snacks), and let’s buzz through the best locally owned businesses across Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Fountain, Falcon, Monument, and beyond.
Supporting local has never been this fun — or this delicious. 🐝💛
(All local. All independently owned. All adorable.)
Food & Drink
Abby’s Irish Pub
Back East Bar & Grill – Briargate
Basil & Barley Pizzeria Napoletana
Till Kitchen
Piglatin Cocina (North location)
The Margarita at Pine Creek
Marigold Café & Bakery
Rocco’s Italian Restaurant
Shops, Boutiques & Fun
Promenade Shops at Briargate (many locally owned vendors)
The Living Room (plants & home greenery)
Mountain Chalet (outdoor gear)
Art + DeLight – small local gift/art boutique
Mountain Mama Natural Foods – Rockrimmon
Family-Friendly & Services
Play Street Museum – Briargate
John Venezia Park
Planet Granite Climbing Gym
Harding Nursery
Tick Tock Shop (service area includes north COS)
ENT Credit Union (local institution)
Food & Drink
The Public House at The Alexander
Walter’s Bistro
The Burrowing Owl – vegetarian comfort food
Edelweiss German Restaurant – long-standing & locally owned
Duca’s Pizza (local chain)
Shops & Boutiques
Broadmoor Galleries (local + independent artists)
The French Nest Market (local vendors)
Local pop-up vendors at Cheyenne Mountain Library & community markets
Family-Friendly & Services
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (local nonprofit)
Colorado Springs School for the Performing Arts (locally operated)
Independent fitness studios, art studios, salons & grooming shops
Food & Drink
Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant
La Casita Mexican Grill (local chain)
Sasquatch Cookies (local bakery/delivery)
Cleats Bar & Grill – Powers
Omelette Parlor (locally beloved breakfast spot)
Shops & Boutiques
Who Gives a SCRAP – recycled art supply store
Rustic Hills North local vendors (many small shops)
Spencer’s Produce, Lawn & Garden
Family-Friendly & Services
Prutch’s Garage Door
The Purple Cow Gifts
Colorado Springs Dance Theatre (locally run)
Your artsy, eclectic, handcrafted-everything, “walk into a shop and leave with three candles you didn’t know you needed” district. ✨
Food & Drink
Shuga’s
Urban Steam
The Perk Downtown
Good Karma Café (OCC)
Jake & Telly’s Greek Taverna
Mountain Mama’s Sandwich Shop
Bon Ton’s Café (OCC)
Shops, Boutiques & Art (OLD COLORADO CITY + West Side)
Terra Verde
Eclectico CO
Ladyfingers Letterpress
Yobel Market
The Living Room (downtown focus)
Hunter-Wolff Gallery
Old Colorado City Art Galleries & Maker Shops
The Squash Blossom – local jewelry & art
Simpich Showcase – handmade dolls & folk collectibles
Who Gives a SCRAP (close to OCC)
Family-Friendly & Services
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Garden of the Gods Trading Post (locally owned historic shop)
Independent toy shops & weekend market vendors
Technically “west-ish,” but deserves its own category because it’s packed with local gems. 💛
Food & Drink
Pikes Peak Lemonade Co.
Poor Richard’s Complex (bookstore, toy store, pizza, café)
Story Coffee – tiny house, HUGE flavor
Stir Coffee & Cocktails
Rabbit Hole (locally owned fine dining underground restaurant)
Shops & Unique Finds
Rocky Mountain Soap Market
Terra Verde (downtown)
Eclectico CO
Ladyfingers Letterpress
Jack Miller Jewelers
Terra Apothecary
Zeezo’s (costumes!)
Food & Drink
Castle Café
Homegrown Tap & Dough
No Cow Bakery
Briccy’s Coffee
Lost Coffee (local chain)
Shops & Boutiques
The Emporium (60+ local vendors)
The Barn Antiques & Specialty Shops
Ecclesia Market – marketplace with local eateries
Food & Drink
Bird Dog BBQ
Coffee Cabin
Fountain Corner Pocket
Nana’s Sweet Treats (local bakers & makers)
Shops & Services
Local salons, dog groomers, small mechanics & home service providers
Weekend artisan pop-up markets
Food & Drink
The Grill at Latigo
Ruxton’s Trading Post (local goods)
Shops & Services
Falcon Garden Center
Locally owned feed stores
Dozens of home-based bakers, candle makers, & artisans
Food & Drink
Rock House Ice Cream
Serranos Coffee
The Bistro on 2nd
Speedtrap Bistro (Palmer Lake)
Shops & Boutiques
Twisted Pines
Mountain Mama Market
Artisan Co-ops & weekend markets
Local Spots
Charrito’s House
Larkspur Pizzaria
The Spur
Local home-based creators & small businesses
Seasonal markets (Larkspur, Greenland, Palmer Divide)
When you shop local, dine local, explore local, and share local — you’re not just spending money.
✨ You’re investing in families.
✨ You’re nurturing dreams.
✨ You’re strengthening your community’s heart.
✨ You’re keeping Colorado… Colorado.
There’s no corporate substitute for the friendliness of a shop owner who remembers your name, the warmth of a café where your kids feel welcome, or the magic of discovering a handmade treasure created by someone in your own backyard.
So next time you’re looking for a place to eat, shop, celebrate, or explore — skip the big chains and follow the local buzz instead. Your support means the world to every small business in our hive. 🐝💛