As the Pearl Street Mall has grown and changed over the years, The Peppercorn (1235 Pearl St., 303/449-5847, www.peppercorn.com, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.) has remained and grown considerably itself. Peppercorn calls itself a “home” store, but it’s overall a kitchen store with cookbooks, dishes, flatware, and the like. In the front of the store are featured Colorado products and books.

Another longtime staple and anchor on the west end of the mall is The Boulder Bookstore (1107 Pearl St., 303/447-2074, www.boulderbookstore.booksense.com, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.), with many floors of books (children’s, travel, cooking, science fiction, and much more) and magazines as well as a popular coffee shop.

Off the east end of the mall is the Boulder Army Store (1545 Pearl St., 303/442-7616, Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 11 p.m.–6 p.m.), with a curious mix of seemingly everything from Swiss Army watches to camping gear and jeans. It’s a longtime favorite of every Boulderite I know.

For kids, try Little Mountain Outfitters (1136 Spruce St., 303/443-1757, www.littlemountainoutfitters.com, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.), a store dedicated to the outdoor gear and apparel needs of newborns to 14-year-olds.

Into the Wind (1408 Pearl St., 303/449-5356, www.intothewind.com, June–Dec. Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Jan.–May daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) is a kite store that also has a large selection of toys for all ages. Given the high winds along the Front Range, there is often a chance to go fly a kite in Boulder.

Another favorite is Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe (2525 Arapahoe St., 303/443-0780, www.grtoys.com, Mon.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.), with a big selection of books, games, and dolls.

Women are sure to find something special and sophisticated at Max (1177 Walnut St., 303/449-9200, www.maxfashion.com, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m.) if they like Prada, Bottega Veneta, Missoni, and other high-end designers.

For more casual clothes (and prices), Starr’s Clothing & Shoe Company (1630 Pearl St., 303/442-3056, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.) has a huge selection of Levi’s and cute tops, dresses, and skirts.

Lush Cosmetics (1312 Pearl St., 303/444-5874, www.lush.com, Sun.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m.) is a tiny store with big bath bombs, hunks of soap, and other handmade body care products.

Don’t miss the weekly Boulder Farmers Market (1900 13th St., 303/910-2236, www.boulderfarmers.org, Sat. and Wed. mornings during growing season), the largest and most popular farmers market in the area.