Give it up for Denver's Mom N' Pop Shops!

The last time I went into this shop, the old Italian woman told me all about her son’s crazy sex life… Before she takes my order she complains about how loud they are when they "bring da ladies home… and how they are “too lazy to even get a license!”

Let this woman rant, as I have noticed that the more I let her talk, the more free sausage chunks and meatballs she prepares to give me, yes, for free!

The food and sandwiches are good here, but you don’t come to stay, sit, or be waited on… You come for the love of pretending that you live in an Italian mafia family, where you watch what your back, but enjoy the food and the drama of the family.

Come on Colorado, a dry cleaners that might not have the exact “Paradise” prices, but they are a mean, green, and dry cleaning machine of a business! The best part of this green local service? They have pick-up and delivery to your home or office.

I have started up this delivery service at all the jobs and companies I have passed through in Colorado, and believe me, not only do I feel good about being green, but I feel “nativish” using local, and save gas, time, and hassle with their delivery!

Ok, the real cool reason? They hooked me up with a cool hemp laundry bag.

Listen, this local spice shop gets me grooving before I even go inside… the strong scent of spices oozes our the front door and takes over my senses…. I swing open their wispy screen door and stride over to a row of spices… dump some spice into my hand, and slowly lick it off to see what I experience… Me like, I pour more! Me not so like, I dump the leftovers that are in my hand onto the floor (hey, they told me to do that)!

Not joking, you can almost have a meal in here… you can test anything and everything… from cheese spices, to chocolate powder to curry and garlic. They even have spices named after local neighborhoods… I enjoy the Highlands Italian Cheese Sprinkle and the Wash Park all around spice. My all time favorite, Chat Masala!

Men who want to score with the ladies or their special lady… bring her here, watch her lick, buy her spices, and then head to the chocolate store next door to set those senses into “must have” mode!

A small cupcake bakery on 32nd street in Highlands. They have great cupcakes.

The frosting it piled on top and oh so yummy.