Little Bird well-nested in Niwot

Imagine an enthralling space layered with luscious colors and compelling textures inspired by nature. Then add a dash of Bohemian flair mixed with a tad of the western spirit and a splash of Latin vibe and you have a sense of the ambience of Niwot’s Little Bird Boutique and Gallery.

Liz Gould and Bruce Rabeler opened their Old Town Niwot store on a First Friday Artwalk night. Since that day six years ago, they’ve been warmly embraced and supported by Niwot shoppers, so much so that their shopping space has more than doubled and the number of product lines they sell is up to about 100.

Gould and Rabeler first met while working at the same company. After marrying, the couple worked together selling various lines of products to high-end boutiques. Their individual talents (Gould in beaded jewelry and Rabeler with his macro-botanical photography), led them to sell their own creations and complementary goods at art shows for five years.

Their knack for carrying unique items and displaying them in artful ways prompted admirers to ask them where their shop was located. Initially not too keen on running a retail store, they felt drawn to do just that once they were shown the building they now occupy and own at 112 2nd Avenue in Niwot.

“We loved the space, it was perfect for us and it was affordable,” Gould said. “It’s eclectic, charming and funky. It was a lot of other businesses in the past… a Mexican restaurant at one point and it was even rumored to have been a brothel.”

With gorgeous red brick and character abounding from every angle, it’s the perfect backdrop for their wares, ranging from embroidered clothing to handmade ceramics, from soaps, lotions and candles to metal art pieces, and from jewelry to wall art.

Fabric and knit scarves, felt ornaments, racks of greeting cards nice enough to frame, earrings and necklaces made from beads and sterling, purses and backpacks, and gorgeous socks galore, recently added cool boots and embroidered shoes, free-spirited blouses and embellished jeans - the utterly unique collection at Little Bird makes the “whole store feel like an art piece” Rabeler said. It’s truly a composition, like a tapestry that’s constantly being redesigned.

This coming First Friday Artwalk Nov. 3, the team of Gould and Rabeler are excited to celebrate their sixth anniversary with the community. Shoppers can enjoy fun sale items along with food and wine during their celebration.

“I feel like we’re really lucky”, Gould said, “We took a concept of stuff we like and found that others loved them too. We’re so fortunate to live and work in Niwot and we love being here.”

Little Bird is located at 112 2nd Ave, Niwot, hours are Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours, including being open on Sundays, during the holiday season. Website: http://www.LittleBirdNiwot.com, Phone: 303-652-0512 First Friday Artwalk is, Nov. 3 from 5 p.m.to 8:30 p.m.