5 Green Boxes gift shop closing Platt Park, Union Station locations

Denver Bohemian Gift Shop, 5 Green Boxes, to Close After 27 Years

After nearly three decades on South Pearl Street, Charlotte Elich, the founder of 5 Green Boxes, has announced that she will be closing her stores located at 1705 S. Pearl St. and within Union Station by the end of March. Elich opened the original store 27 years ago, which recently relocated to its current address, and added the downtown outpost in 2014.

As a farewell gesture, all jewelry, home goods, cards, and other items at 5 Green Boxes will be available at a 50% discount until the closure.

Elich cited the challenges of running a business in the current environment, expressing difficulty in affording employees and sustaining operations, especially with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and declining foot traffic over the past few years. The introduction of new minimum wage laws in Denver further added to the financial strain, leading Elich to make the tough decision to close the stores.

Despite the closure of the South Pearl and Union Station locations, Elich will continue to operate her women’s apparel boutique in the Platt Park neighborhood. She also plans to host pop-up events at the building she owns on South Pearl and potentially at her Lincoln Park warehouse, pending any complications arising from the area’s redevelopment plans.

Charlotte Elich has been a prominent figure on South Pearl Street for decades, organizing various community events and establishing a presence through her stores. While reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create something special multiple times over the years but hinted at the possibility of retirement in the near future.

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