ASHLEY'S LIST

It would be so nice if Wal Mart would just go away... as if it never happened. There is something surreal about the gianormous (yes, Webster's is making this an official "word with meaning.") money sucking entity that has taken over. I pass by our local Wal Mart and it pains me every time.  I even ventured in the other day to do some grocery shopping - I just wanted to see if the prices really were cheaper.  I couldn't believe my eyes. It was gut wrenching how many people were pushing their carts through the aisles, bumping into one another, unapoligetically. People were eating hamburgers from the resident McDonald's as they pulled underwear off the racks. Girls were getting their toenails painted as I looked for banannas. There is something wrong here.

In creating ASHLEY'S LIST, I really wanted to focus on small business. I want to bring Mom and Pop back.  Mom and Pop are missed dearly and I think we can do this if we do it together.  We have to just stop shopping at Wal Mart... we have to. I don't care if I saved $30 on my regular groceries... I would rather pay the extra money and support a more local retailer.  I would rather go out of my way and shop the small boutiques of Denver than get a "spiff on" shirt from target that everyone and their mother will be wearing. I am not sure if it is actually possible to conquer the Wal Marts of the world... but I want to do my part.  There are so many other options out there.  Instead of getting your coffee at Starbucks... check out a new place like Metropolitan MUDD between 15th & 16th on Wazee.  Small business owners, great coffee and food - they need our support. It's the character, the wave, the handshake, the recognition that has gone away... and I think we could all use a little brushing up on re-connectiing with one another, our local retailers and probably ourselves for that matter.

I won't be grocery shopping or doing any other kind of shopping at Wal Mart. I won't be drinking Starbucks and I will go out of my way to support the very people that being us the "uniqueness of Denver."  What use to be old hat is and should be the only hat... small business. After all, 88% of Denver is made up of small biz. We should support it and be really proud that we make an effort to go out of our way to do so if necessary.

ASHLEY'S LIST is really a labor of love. I so enjoy gathering this information and sending it off! If you have ideas or thoughts, I would love to hear them! Denver has so many wonderful pockets and secret "nooks" and through ASHLEY'S LIST I too get to discover how very cool this town is. Thank you all for your support and if you like the list share it with your friends. That is the best compliment anyone could give.

Ashley's List was born out of my desire to connect people, places and things. I am always hearing about wonderful things going on in Denver and I wanted to have a way to share that with others. I am also connected and have a handle on the job market, current opportunities and ways to network in and out of the mainstream.

I have talented and savvy friends that own small businesses and this is also my effort to highlight the importance of bringing back small businesses and really supporting them.

Connecting people, places and things has always been something I have enjoyed doing, it has been a great hobby for me and I look forward to sharing the latest and greatest from Denver, CO.