Patagonia will hold a grand opening for its new Boulder store on the Pearl Street Mall on April 5. The 2,961-square-foot store, located in a historic building at 1212 Pearl Street that dates back to 1875, is Patagonia's 24th retail store.


The building was constructed during a local gold and silver mining boom as the newly prosperous town replaced hastily built wooden storefronts with brick and stone structures. It was occupied by a succession of clothing and shoe stores and then a series of other retailers, most recently Science Works. It was restored to replicate its original appearance by local developers Paul Eklund and Thomas Thorpe last year.

As part the grand opening ceremonies, the company will announce the winner of an online “Voice Your Choice” campaign awarding $5,000 to a local environmental organization selected by the community. Area residents have cast their votes for Eco-Cycle, Prairie Dog Coalition, Rock the Earth, Thorne Ecological Institute or Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, all Boulder/Denver-based groups working to restore and protect the environment. The campaign has drawn more than 120,000 votes since it kicked off January 17.


“Our Voice Your Choice program has two purposes: helping local environmental organizations continue their work, and raising public awareness about the various environmental projects taking place in the community,” said store manager Katherine Demsky. “Boulder has responded in huge numbers, and we believe it’s because local residents are as passionate about these issues as we are.”