What’s in store? Murray Sheff is wearing pink.
The 2-year-old teacup Chihuahua and in-store comedian at macymacy generally dons a jacket and tie for his days working beside Macy Matarazzo at their new Uptown pet and people boutique, which is sandwiched between Sparrow, the vintage-minded plant and home décor store, and A la Tomate, the tasteful neighborhood bar and tarterie.
But on this particular afternoon, Murray is getting ready for a parade. Matarazzo has fashioned a toile cape the color of Pepto-Bismol and paired it with a wizard’s hat covered in silver stars. The pooch sits compliantly on the colorful mirrored stage at the front of his store, beneath a “flying dog” photo booth where canine customers can peek their heads through a hole in one of Matarazzo’s whimsical illustrations and snap a carnival-style portrait.
This store owner studied fine art, theater and puppetry before settling in Denver. There’s rarely a day when Matarazzo is not painting, sewing, cutting or gluing an artful new item for her boutique. The artist opened this shop with pets in mind but expanded her concept to include gifts, jewelry, accessories and offbeat fashions. Everything here spotlights her eye for disco glitz and retro nostalgia – best characterized by the black-and-white 1950s yearbook photos Matarazzo uses for price tags at macymacy.
Shoppers generally will have to circle the shop a few times before spotting all of the soap dishes filled with beaded rings and vintage ashtrays holding key-chain lip gloss that are tucked into nooks around the store.
“I just love the fact that everywhere you look is something fun,” says Denver indie fashion maven Brandi Shigley. “I always leave with some little rhinestone find.”
What’s in stock? Salsa music fills the place as customers pick through doggie Hawaiian shirts and raincoats, high-end collars and coordinated leashes.
Matarazzo also hunts for pet-themed people products like the “K is for kitty” onesie in the cat corner, and the custom “space do” T-shirts available in both pooch and people sizes. It’s the people stuff that really sets this store apart from other pet boutiques, like the rainbow polka-dot dessert plates and the “spa girl,” “café girl,” “yoga girl,” and “shopping girl” coffee mugs that fill a bank of shelves near the door. The walls are covered with Matarazzo’s paintings. Her “spa dog” image featuring Fido with cucumbers over his eyes can be customized for any pet in the family.
What’s it cost? “Nigel,” the red knit, catnip-filled octopus, $5; PVC flower vase, $15; bow-tie collars, $15-$20; space dog T-shirt, $26; 1970s-style kitten luggage cosmetics case, $70. Bargain Alert: Drop by this store, Sparrow, Talulah Jones or Masten Fine Art later this month for a 17 percent discount to celebrate the offbeat boutiques sprouting along East 17th Avenue.
– Elana Ashanti Jefferson
