Some might question a November opening in Colorado for a store  dedicated to selling flip flops. But with current temperatures in the  mid-70s, these retailers may know something we don’t.

The Flip Flop Shops opened Wednesday at the Park Meadows mall, located at 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr. in Lone Tree.

“Flip flops have evolved into a premium lifestyle necessity, and Flip  Flop Shops was created to fill the void in the retail industry,” said  Amy Neb, owner of the new Flip Flop Shops in Denver in a statement. “People love flip flops at any time of the year. We offer local  consumers an opportunity to indulge in all the hottest brands and latest  styles of flip flops at their leisure, with expert product knowledge  right at their finger tips. Plus, we also offer winter styles to keep  toes warm when it snows.”

With nearly 30 shops open nationwide and 50 more in development, the  chain plans to open 236 shops by 2013. Neb has two more franchises in  the works, planning one in Boulder in the first half of 2011, and a  third in another Denver location in late 2011.

“There are tons of people just as passionate about freeing their toes  as Flip Flop Shops,” Neb said in the statement. “Flip flops are a  symbol of a way of life that is part of my family’s identity We live,  work and play with our toes exposed, and wouldn’t have it any other  way.”

Tommy Bahama opening at Park Meadows

Also finding at home at Park Meadows is a new Tommy Bahama clothing store.

The 3,300 square foot store opens Nov. 11. at 8505 Park Meadows  Center Dr. in Lone Tree and carries the well-known island-inspired Tommy  Bahama collection of men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, footwear  and accessories as well as home décor items.

A grand opening is slated for Nov. 13 beginning at 10 a.m. The first  100 customers will have a chance at winning gift certificates value at  $25, $50, $100 or $250 to be redeemed at the Park Meadows store that  day.

Row 14 to be uncorked at Spire

Another restaurant will be joining the The Spire family when Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar opens Feb. 11.

Row 14 will offer a “neighborhood menu” with accessible wines and local and seasonal food offerings.

The name of the restaurant is “a culmination of simple references  with the most obvious component being its location on 14th Street,  accompanied with the restaurant’s proximity to Denver Performing Arts  Complex and its many theatre rows. Ultimately, ‘Row’ was chosen to  reflect the rows found in vineyards and hand-cultivated fresh gardens,”  said owner David Schneider in a statement.

Row 14 joins the Organic Pizza Company, Snarf’s, Hertz and Revolution  Cleaners, which are all set to open in the Spire, at 891 14th Street,  in early 2011.

“We are excited about the great retail and restaurants coming soon to Spire,” said Christopher Crosby,  executive vice president of The Nichols Partnership, in a statement.  “Row 14 is a great addition to the building and a complement to The  Denver Theater District and the $14 million Ambassador streetscape  project which will break ground next month. Our homeowners will  literally be counting the days until Row 14 opens.”

Recent sightings and updates

• There appears to be a 7-Eleven invasion in downtown Denver, with  one new story opened recently at 17th and Blake streets; while another  appears to be going in at 17th and Lawrence streets.

• The new walkway at Larimer Square, which Shop Watch reported on in early September, is set to open this month. Opening next week on the Square — or better yet, under it — is Wednesday’s Pie and Green Russell.

A new stairway was constructed in the Arcade across from Lime’s front  door for the establishment’s entrance. The street-side staircase will  lead to Wednesday’s Pie on Wednesday, but on Thursday, Friday, Saturday  and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Green Russell will open, serving  pressed-to-order juices to craft cocktails inspired by guests. Only one  beer will be on the menu, brewed specially for Green Russell by Great  Divide Brewing Co.

Oh, and leave your cell phone in the car. No cell phone use is allowed in the bar, except for inside a reclaimed phone booth.

• Mona’s, which opened Oct. 1 at East 17th Avenue and Sherman, is staying open late now for happy hour.