INSPIRED COTTAGE - BRIGHT NEW BROOMFIELD BUSINESS by Pam North In today's marketplace the shopping experience is comprised mostly of huge, cookie-cutter, multi-department mega-stores and small individual utilitarian businesses with little personality. It is a joy, therefore, to discover an appealing jewel of a shop that oozes pure charm and offers unique treasures that are a shopper's delight. Tucked within a mini-strip of businesses along 120th in Broomfield, close to Highway 287 and the Boulder Turnpike, is the Inspired Cottage, brainchild of longtime area residents Brenda Skinner and Diane Johnson. The pair have blended their interests and talents to come up with an enterprise that puts the fun back into shopping. Just entering the enchanting store is a pleasure; candle scents enhance the air.even before the surprise of a four-season journey comes into view. Faux vines twine green paths across the overhead lighting panels; white lattice, floral wreaths and sprays of flowers give an airy, garden ambience to the first area encountered just inside the front door. Delicate bone china tea sets, seashore-motif items and other assorted wares impart notes of spring and summer, Then, just a few steps away, fall presents itself, with tawny rust and golden tones predominate, and autumn-themed and Thanksgiving giftwares enticingly beckon. Another turn brings the bright spirit of Christmas, there for savoring all year around. A fireplace sits cozily against the wall, its mantel full of cunning snowmen, elves and holiday delights, and a Yule tree is heavily laden with myriad unusual ornaments. Everything in the store is for sale, including most of the furniture and fixtures, all lovingly refinished by Brenda, whose charming stencil artistry accents many of the pieces and even the walls and trim of the shop itself. The variety and volume of merchandise stocked is surprising, given the limited dimensions of the store. Artfully assembled groups of a broad range of gift items include dolls, teddy bears, porcelain teapots and teacups, organic homemade jellies from Colorado, taffy from Utah, holiday ornaments, angels, decor for every room in the home, custom jewelry, antiques, furniture and one-of-a-kind treasures. As if this were not enough, tea parties are catered for family, club and church groups of 15 to 20 persons, and Brenda creates custom floral centerpeces by request. Diane's specialty is dolls and bears; she owns another shop, Diana's Dolls, in Westminster. Inspired Cottage carries many well-known lines such as Precious Moments, Madame Alexander, Ginny, Robert Tonner, Marie Osmond, Adora, Berenguer, Doll Maker, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and Boyds and Bearington bears. There are retired Annette Himstedts and vintage dolls; also stocked are doll clothes, accessories and wigs. Brenda and Diane are doll collectors themselves, so both especially relish this aspect of their shop. Personalized customer service is an integral part of the Inspired Cottage's priorities. Laid out near the front door every day for shoppers to partake in are coffee, tea and often cookies. Both Brenda and Diane enjoy chatting with their customers, whose repeat visits show that the visitors find pleasure in it, too. Such an effort toward excellent customer service is a rarity these days, and so is a delight. The "fun business business with a personal touch" (as described by its owners) punctuates the value of appreciating customers and their loyal patronage, and should prove to augment the continued rising success of this unique, newly-opened establishment. THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE 7510 Hwy 287 (120th) Broomfield, Colorado (303) 469-3292 Hours: M-F 10-5, Sat 9-4 The public is invited! GRAND OPENING - OPEN HOUSE Saturday, October 6thm from 9-5 Refreshments and Door Prizes Highlights: New Custom Jewelry, Christmas Ornaments Refinished Furniture :