From the Summit Daily Sept. 2, 2013 Summitdaily.com
Chapped lips and burned skin are problems that can plague High Country visitors and residents alike. In downtown Breckenridge, B’s Modern Mountain Apothecary, formally B Boutique, serves to alleviate skin-care problems with a focus on locally made beauty products.
The shelves are overflowing with colorful bottles and jars — body lotions with ingredients like olive oil, sea algae, kelp or avocado stacked next to tiny boxes of sparkling pink grapefruit lip scrubs, to eliminate dry, flaky skin.
Opened in the spring of 2012, the shop is celebrating one year in business and will debut its new name at 5 p.m. today with a ribbon-cutting celebration.
Self-described beauty product addict and shop owner Cathy Cleary said she stocks high-quality — but affordable — makeup and hair and skin products.
She said moving from her old location at 301 N. Main St. helped bring in more foot traffic, but shoppers were often confused by the old name — looking for attire, not skin care.
“We originally opened in a more obscure, off-the-grid spot,” she said. “‘Boutique’ is a general name for a shop, but people were confusing us for a clothing store.”
Small terrariums hang in clear orbs over the bright blue wall near the register, where a burlap sign on the wall reads “Gifts from Colorado” in a scrawling font.
Cleary often works with local companies to create products her customers frequently request. Breckenridge Soap Co., for example, started making organic hair masks after she asked the company to create a product for dry, itchy scalps.
“With the name ‘apothecary’ we can finally be viewed as a place to get skin care, or bath and body works,” Cleary said.
Historically, an apothecary distributed medicine, but is now frequently associated with natural or herbal products for general well-being. Modern Mountain Apothecary carries a range of skin- and hair-care items, perfumes, lotions, candles and makeup.
“Our focus is to carry local products whenever possible,” Cleary said. “We sell products from a number of little family-owned businesses around the area.”
Among perfume boxes speckled with bright flower patterns are soy and beeswax candles made in Colorado, and goat-milk lotion made by Stone Creek Farm in Divide.
For locals looking for recognizable name brands, Modern Mountain Apothecary also carries products from major companies such as Sephora and Nordstrom. Cleary said she wanted to make those brands more accessible for people living in the mountains, saving them a drive down to Denver.
Cleary, originally from Chicago, is trained in cosmetology and previously worked in the wedding business. She is constantly trying out new products at the recommendation of a friend or family member, and said she wants to keep growing to become the go-to beauty supply store in the area.
“The trend is definitely to go more toward organic products,” she said. “I want skin care lines with a good mission — no animal testing, or vegan friendly, sulfate-free, that kind of thing.”
There will be snacks and giveaways at the ribbon cutting. Samples and tester products are available for many in-store products so new customers can sniff out what they like.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. today at 101 S. Main St. The entrance to B’s Modern Mountain Apothecary is on Ski Hill Road, just west of Main Street.
“Our focus is to carry local products whenever possible. We sell products from a number of little family-owned businesses around the area.” Cathy Cleary, owner, Modern Mountain Apothecary
