After 49 years nestled in nearby Boulder, CO, The Pedestrian Shops is spreading its wings with the opening of its third location in Denver. The store, at 15th and Platte streets, is the newest addition to the growing Central Platte Valley neighborhood, nestled between LoDo and LoHi. Pedestrian Shops, which aims to bridge the gap between fashionable and functional footwear for active lifestyles, fits right into this evolving part of downtown Denver, according to Richard Polk, president and founder.
“We’ve always been interested in opening a store in Denver,” Polk says. “It took us over 40 years to find the perfect location.”
Polk’s youngest daughter, Zoe, operations manager for the three Pedestrian Shops locations, found the building while casually browsing real estate listings last fall. Along with Richard’s other daughter, Lauren Polk Brown, who is the chain’s vice president, the family recognized that this was the perfect opportunity to enter the thriving Denver market. Longtime area businesses including REI and My Brother’s Bar, and the heavy pedestrian traffic through the neighborhood, were selling points for the location.
Pedestrian Shops will host a 10-day Grand Opening Celebration from April 13-22, including giveaways, gifts with purchases and special events. Coinciding with the Grand Opening is Pedestrian Shops’ annual Earth Day Shoe Drive. It marks the 59th shoe drive—a second is held yearly at Thanksgiving. Customers are asked to bring in footwear that they just never wear—any kind, any brand, new or slightly used. Donors are offered a 10 percent discount on a pair of new shoes. Donated shoes are distributed to local assistance organizations. Donations will be accepted at all three Pedestrian Shops April 13-29.
The Pedestrian Shops offer a selection of The World’s Most Comfortable Brands of Shoes. Leading sellers include Birkenstock, Dansko, Keen, Merrell, Vionic, Chaco, Lems and Naot. Lauren and Zoe do the buying for the stores, and are always on the lookout for up-and-coming brands to add to their assortment. New finds of late include Ten Points from Sweden and Jafa from Israel.
