Spotlight on our Neighborhoods: Old Town Niwot magic

With roots dating to 1875, Old Town Niwot, the area on 2nd Avenue between Niwot Road and Murray Street, has always been a mixture of the familiar and the new and is widely considered to be the historic heart of town.

John Nelson, a local carpenter, is credited with building the first commercial structure on Second Avenue in 1905. Most of the remaining shops in the first block were completed by 1915 and include the home of the oldest operating Grange in Colorado. These buildings comprise the Niwot Historic District, designated by Boulder County in 1993.

Although currently a vibrant area with popular restaurants and businesses, things have changed often in Old Town with businesses coming and going. In the 1990s, the area was a mecca for antiques with more than 15 antique shops and a weekly Sunday antique auction. Wise Buys Antiques, the sole remaining antique business in Niwot, owned by Tim and Carrie Wise, has been in Niwot for 37 years and at their current location since 1990.

Carrie Wise has seen a lot of changes in Old Town in her time here. "At one time, we'd see people pull up, get out of their car, get back in and drive off. There wasn't a lot here. It was bad." Now, however, most every space on 2nd Avenue is occupied. Tim Wise, Carrie's husband, said he "wishes that what could be retail isn't always," but conceded that property tax rates don't make that feasible for a lot of businesses.

The two fondly reminisced about previous 2nd Avenue tenants. Carrie talked about one business, The Ace of Hearts, which was in the current Little Bird space. "We never really could confirm it, but rumor had it it was a brothel," she laughed. "They got busted and closed down pretty quickly."

Tim said he loved Judy Wainer's The Whistlestop in what is now Few of a Kind Vintage + Mercantile. "They sold penny candy and local 'crafts' like crocheted trivets," he recalled with amusement. "My daughter used to love to go there." Tim also recalled a business called Beaks and Teaks where Osmosis Art and Architecture now stands. Inexplicably he said, "They traded in exotic birds and antiques."

Both Tim and Carrie said they felt the "bump out" in front of The Old Oak Coffeehouse was great for business. "It gets people to sit and stay and see what's around," Carrie said. The bump-out, although in front of the coffee shop, belongs to Niwot. "We made sure the tables had bright umbrellas in different colors," Carrie said, "so that it could be seen from the Diagonal" and attract attention.

On the east end of 2nd Avenue sits another long-standing Niwot business, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts. They've been in their current space for 28 years in March. "We're now the only original occupants in the building," said Jason Scarbrough who owns the business with his mother Jan Kahl. He, too, has seen multiple businesses come and go. "I really miss the Feed Store," he said. "I love what they've done with the building, but my dog is here often and I loved bringing her there for treats." The family members are not only long-term business owners, but long-term Niwot residents as well. "My grandfather owned land on the other side of the Diagonal," Scarbrough said. "My mom (Jan) was in the first graduating class at Niwot High School." And in the "I walked two miles uphill in the snow both ways to school" category, he says his mom regularly used to ride her horse to work.

He said Jan was one of the organizers of the now defunct Clothesline Arts Festival. "I miss that event," he said. "I still have a canvas bag from the event full of t-shirts." He fondly remembers playing checkers before breakfast at Rev Taylor's where 1914 House now operates.

Tim and Carrie also fondly recall Niwot Nostalgia Days. "We miss closing down 2nd Avenue and just having fun with everyone in town," Carrie said. "We've always been so happy to be here, even when it was difficult. I can't imagine being anywhere else."

Despite the changes, Old Town Niwot is an anchor for the community, whether for businesses or events. Although change is constant, the charm of Old Town is lasting.