Article reproduced from Colorado Community Newspapers 05/08/08

A Paris Street Market returns to city
By Paige Ingram , Staff Writer

From doorknobs to dishes, clothes to croquet sets, produce to pansies, most people leaving Aspen Grove May 3 had something in tow.

In its eighth year, a Paris Street Market, which runs the first Saturday of every month through October, opened May 2 with a crowd that left nary a parking space in the Littleton shopping center off S. Santa Fe Drive.

A Paris Street is set up to resemble an open-air European marketplace, with vendors selling mainly antique and original merchandise.

While the vendors come from around the Front Range, managing member Tim Vandel sees the market as local.

"We're all about supporting local business. [The market] supports the whole concept of Littleton and downtown Littleton," he said, adding that on market days Main Street also has increased traffic.

In fact, the market started in downtown in 2001 at Reinke Brothers, on Prince Street, before moving to the parking lot at Arapahoe Community College, and finally Aspen Grove.

Over the years it has grown, and this year even more vendors are setting up, including Nature's Pantry, a produce stand out of Parker that left many shoppers trading dollars for overflowing bags of peppers and apples.

Kim Miller also made her debut at the market this past week, with her business Kim's Vintage Finds.

Having set up shop at many street markets, including a regular booth at Stage Stop in her home town of Arvada, Miller said A Paris Street is well worth bringing out her many antiques.

"This is a great area for the market," she said.

"People actually spend money here," added her sister, Shelley Beneteau.

Their location by the breakfast burrito stand didn't hurt. Not only did it provide lots of traffic, but also a snack for the two.

Miller's success fulfills one of the goals Vandal sees for A Paris Street - offering more opportunity to local business people

"It's a fantastic way for the vendors to sell their products at a regular ongoing event, outside their own store," he said.

While the type of thing filling tables at each vendor is varied, Vandal describes A Paris Street as an antique and vintage market.

"That's the big thing - artists, photographers, antique dealers and garden art," he said. "We try to stay away from anyone who is selling CDs or electronics or anything like that."

As for replicating its European counterpart, Liverpool, England, native and Centennial resident Georgina Smith said there were bits that fit the mold.

Regardless of authenticity, the set-up had brought out Smith, albeit at the nudging of her friend Suzanne Salazar, who said she has come every year.

"It's a great place to look for bargains," she said, "and enjoy the sunshine."