In Denver’s bustling neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to find a shop cat curled up by the register or an excited dog greeting customers at the door.
Across the city, small businesses are embracing their four-legged companions, not just as pets, but as part of the store experience.
At Crystal Castle Beads, located at 2240 S. Broadway in Denver, two dogs — Ruby and Boss — have become as much a part of the shop’s identity as its crystals and handmade jewelry supplies.
Crystal Castle Beads
Owner Adrienne Lemke opened the shop with other co-workers in October 2023 after the previous bead store they worked at shut down.
“We just kind of came together and said, ‘Let’s start our own shop,’” she said.
Enter Ruby — a spirited pup with a nose for stones and a habit of napping on desks.
“I got her around the time we bought this building, on July 4,” Lemke said. “She’s been a part of this shop ever since. She helped us go through products, (she) tries to steal products … She knows the crystal business pretty well, and she has good taste in beads, too.”
Ruby quickly became the shop’s unofficial greeter, favorite distraction and emotional support creature all in one.
“People come for the dogs, not for us,” Lemke said. “Kids, husbands — everyone loves her. It really adds something special.”
But Ruby isn’t the only pup with a following at Crystal Castle Beads. General Manager Jennifer Niemela brought in her dog, Boss, under equally heartwarming circumstances.
After the loss of her previous dog, Niemela had no intention of adopting again. But life had other plans.
“Boss needed to be rescued, and I kind of needed a little extra happiness in my life,” she said. “So we introduced him to Ruby to see if they got along. They hit it off immediately.”
Now, Boss is a fixture in the shop alongside Ruby.
“He’s happy, calm, super smart, and he loves sound healing,” Niemela said. “When I work with the bowls, he runs in like, ‘Yes, we’re doing sound healing.’ He just gets it.”
As customers wander through displays of stones and beads, it’s not unusual for them to be greeted by Ruby and Boss.
“People ask where they are before they ask about anything else,” Niemela said. “It’s kind of like they’re the real stars of the shop.”
While the pets might be the draw for some, they also reinforce something deeper – a sense of comfort and community.
“It’s soothing to have your dog at work with you,” Niemela said. “They make you smile. They make everyone smile. That’s kind of what it’s all about.”
Sewn Denver
Owner of Sewn Denver Kirsten Coplans feels the same way about her dog, Kyoko, who can often be found lounging around the store located at 18 S. Broadway.
Kyoko, who possesses a Japanese name that means “little girl,” is described by Coplans as smart, kind and mellow.
“The question people ask me constantly is, ‘Is she always this chill?’” Coplans said. “This is her second home. She’s used to everything — old people, young people, walkers, wheelchairs. She doesn’t get overly excited when people pet her. It’s just normal for her.”
Coplans adopted Kyoko from Low Riders of the West, a small dog rescue in Littleton, when she was just 8 weeks old.
Kyoko isn’t the first shop dog the business owner has had.
“My other dog, Pearl, was my shop dog for 13 years,” she said. “When she passed, I needed another dog in my life.”
Training Kyoko to be a shop dog started early.
“I wanted to do a rescue, and I wanted to get a young puppy so I could start bringing her from day one,” Coplans said.
Now 7 years old, Kyoko has grown into her role.
“People lose their mind over a shop dog,” Coplans said. “It’s like they haven’t seen another dog anywhere else. They might not say hi to me, but they’re definitely gonna say hi to her.”
Kyoko has her own rhythm in the store and will move about the space seeking the best place to get comfortable – be it in front of a rack of vintage shoes or smack dap in the middle of the doorway.
“Sometimes she’s just like, ‘I’ve had too much attention today,’ and she’ll tuck herself away. But she also loves to see what’s going on outside,” Coplans said.
Coplans said Kyoko is very smart and always looking for food.
“She’s always checking people’s pockets or bags for treats. She’s definitely an opportunist,” Coplans said. “The UPS guy brings her treats. People bring her treats. She knows what she’s doing.”
Kyoko is a blue heeler, a breed known for being deeply loyal to their owner.
“She’s not really cuddly like a typical velcro dog,” Coplans explained. “But she always wants to know where I am. She just wants to have eyes on me.”
Sewn focuses on handmade and upcycled goods.
“We’ve got a handful of handmade artists, most of them local. One-of-a-kind items, eco-friendly, and we also carry vintage,” Coplans said. “My background is vintage fabric and patterns. I love connecting with people about what they’re making.”