ܲԱ:Pandora on the Hill
Address: 1227 East 17th Avenue, Denver
Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday;11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 1994
Contact: 303 832-7073,
Dz:6-8
Interview with Stephanie Shearer, shop keeper
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
:Have you ever seen the movie “The Secret of NIHM”? So, I totally embody the spirit of Jeremy, the black bird, who is so enchanted by “sparklies” and shiny objects that he has a rather difficult time focusing on anything else. As I meandered through potential careers (and my twenties) in human services, investments and even breeding tropical fish, I just kept getting distracted by sparklies. It was pretty much a predestined no-brainer for me to own a sparkle shop, where I could horde all the sparklies my big ol’ heart could desire.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
:Pandora on the Hill is your one-stop, sparkle shop for gifts on the go, so we strive to pack our shelves with that last minute, unique gift you were looking for, but didn’t know what it was yet. We have a vast collection of local and independent artists from which to choose, and then we go crazy with tissue, wrapping, ribbon and yes — sparkles — all on the fly; all to get you to the ball on time. My husband calls Pandora on the Hill, the “Oh damn, I need a gift” shop.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
:Pandora on the Hill has been open for over two decades and within that rich history we have met so many truly amazing people. We have second (and now even third!) generation customers that visit regularly. We have literally laughed, cried and celebrated so many milestones within these walls that “customers” truly become our friends. You should see this place at Christmas time — it’s like a gargantuan, technicolor family reunion in here.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
:Nine months ago, Pandora on the Hill moved to Uptown after living in the same space in Capitol Hill for 20 years. Like so many small businesses, the commercial rental rates in Denver forced us to make the very difficult decision to move. Fortunately for us, we purchased and remodeled the old EZE MOP building in Uptown about eight years ago, so we had an awesome place to land, and a home where we will never (ever!) be forced to move again. And, since we actually own this roof over our heads, we own our destiny, which in the “new” Denver is almost a small business mandate.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
:Not very many people know that Pandora on the Hill donates at least 6 percent from every purchase, and an even larger amount of product is donated to non-profit organizations and schools in our community. We are also a Certified Green retailer and shop local suppliers for everything we can get our hands on. To many a marketers’ chagrin, I’m old school and do these kind of things because they are right and not for advertising opportunities–though my customers have actually asked me to start letting people know. So, here it is for all to see: We truly are locals who love locals locally–It’s our motto, and we mean to stick by it.