Video: Making Flea Markets Cool Again

flea denver

[youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvwLA3CnTY[/youtube]

Shopping among Colorado companies, drinking craft beer and feasting on food from Denver’s top chefs is just the start of the draw of the Denver Flea. This modern take on an old favorite kicked off the 2015 season in DenverApril 18 & 19 to a packed house in a vacant RiNo warehouse — the Bindery on Blake — as creators of Denver Flea filled the space to be event-ready for the 2015 kick off.

There are still three more fleas this season. At each you will find more than 100 vendors of local Colorado-made artisan goods who fill booths to sell everything from vintage items, repurposed furniture and other curiosities.

A few of the Colorado companies you’ll find peddling their wares at Denver Flea are Spinster Sisters, a line of natural and sustainable soaps/beauty products; Fireside Supply, which sells vintage camping gear; Hidden Gnome Woodworking, a collection of wooden toys and furniture; and Sparkle & Stone, handmade jewelry made with raw natural stones, gems and minerals.

Once you’ve shopped to your heart’s content, you’re likely to have worked up an appetite. Time to hit the food trucks and craft beer tent!

El Carte 303, which serves fresh Mexican-inspired foods like carne asada and pico de gallo made with ingredients from local farms, always draws a crowd. While the menu might revolve around tacos and burritos, the best item to try at El Carte 303 is the “Big Ass Dawg,” a 100% Hebrew beef frank wrapped in two slices of hickory smoked bacon.

Another locals’ favorite is Smokestack 70, a new truck that began serving up tasty BBQ options in Denver this past fall. Feast on dry rubbed and slow smoked brisket, applewood smoked pulled pork and sides like creamy coleslaw and baked cheesy corn.

East Coast transplants and seafood-lovers will want to make a beeline for East Coast Joe’s, where you can have your fill of fresh Maine lobster rolls (The lobster is flown in daily.), right in the middle of landlocked Denver.

For dessert, head to Peteybird; the ice cream sandwiches are the perfect sweet treat on a sunny day.

Upcoming flea market weekends are also planned for June, September and December. The locations aren’t announced until a few days before the event, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.

See you there!