Antique shops across the Denver metro are more than places to buy old things — they’re spaces where history meets creativity.
Across the metro area, vintage lovers and curious newcomers alike are fueling a growing scene rooted in nostalgia, community and the thrill of discovery.
Colorado Antique Gallery
Standing at 52,000 square feet and advertised as “Denver’s largest antique mall,” Colorado Antique Gallery in Littleton is filled to the brim with unique vintage items for all types of people.
Colorado Antique Gallery is operated by President Chris Rodriguez who took ownership of the business in 2012. It is located at 5501 S. Broadway, Unit 135.
“I have 275 vendors and we rent space to them on a monthly basis, and then I take a commission of all their sales,” Rodriguez said. “So most of the merchandise in the store is not ours.”
Rodriguez said the store has been operating since 1992. He decided to purchase the store after initially taking a business interest in it.
For Rodriguez, he said the best aspect of operating an antique store is the unknown of daily life.
“Every day is different. Every day is new,” Rodriguez said. “You’re going to run into different people and this is the type of business that brings out eccentric people – and it brings out just people who you may not see on a normal day, maybe, if you were shopping in a mall.”
From Native American jewelry to specific crystal canoes, Rodriguez said people are looking for all sorts of items and every day “is not going to be boring.”
“What also is nice is we keep all this stuff from going into the landfill and we give everything a second home so they can use it again,” Rodriguez said. “We like saving stuff.”
Rodriguez said he would describe Colorado Antique Gallery as “large, different and fun,” adding that the store has evolved over the last three decades.
Heirloom Antiques Mall
Tucked in a quiet shopping mall in Aurora that includes an adult bingo venue and a hobby shop lies Heirloom Antiques Mall. Filled with various items including toys, art and more, the shop stands two stories tall.
Behind the counter, owner and operator Scott Davenport often greets his customers by asking if they’ve been in the shop, and explains the business to first-time visitors.
The way Davenport described the store is simple but heartfelt.
“It’s just a fun place,” he said, glancing around at the eclectic mix of vintage furniture, old signage and toy collections tucked in every corner.
His business model is shaped by inclusivity and a sense of community.
“I try to offer something for everyone and I want it to be family friendly … We try to have stuff that they can see and interact with,” Davenport said.
Davenport hadn’t always owned the store. His journey began as a vendor at a different antique shop.
“I was a dealer at another antique store for eight years. And I came in and I took a spot here. And when I brought my wife back, I stepped on the bottom stair, and I looked at her, and said, ‘I’m going to buy this store.’ And one year to the month, not to the day, I bought it,” he said.
It was a decision that would change his life.
“It’ll be 10 years in August,” he said.
What keeps him in it isn’t just the love of antiques — it’s the people.
“I like the interaction with the customers, you know – you get to know them and their families. We have so many regulars,” Davenport said.
Currently there are over 100 vendors in the shop, and Davenport said he also recently added more space to the business.
And he isn’t done yet.
“I just hope for continued growth,” Davenport said when asked what the future held.
The antique scene in the Denver metro area, according to Davenport, has seen a shift.
“I think it’s gone more vintage and more clothing. It’s better now. The younger generation has found … a greater interest in repurposing and recycling,” Davenport said.
Overkill Thrift & Consign
Overkill Thrift & Consign in Englewood opened its doors last year and offers a blend of what Davenport describes as what “the younger generation” has found, including vintage clothing in various styles and some antiques.
“While Overkill primarily deals in modern second-hand clothing, we very frequently receive vintage and antique pieces from our consignors with ages ranging anywhere from 1960s to the early 2000s,” owner Megan Hartberger said. “We try to carry all the small staples that an antique store might offer, such as vintage Playboy magazines, antique knick knacks like wooden kaleidoscopes, vintage movie memorabilia items and cassette tapes.”
Located at 3041 S. Broadway Overkill is a small but bustling purple building where Hartberger seeks to provide curated, unique fashions at reasonable prices.
Hartberger maintains a “punk rock” style herself, but like Davenport, strives to have “a bit of everything” for vintage seekers who cross the threshold of her store.
“No matter what your style is, I want you to be able to come in and find anything,” Hartberger said. “So, you know, goth, grunge, grandma, gearhead. We’ve got it all.”
Hartberger said Overkill is partially a thrift store because it has various items under $5, including $2 bins, and much of those pieces are actually from her own personal collection.
“We (also) have consign, which means you can come in and sell your clothes with us,” she said. “Those are going to be our slightly higher-priced items but I still like to have a good deal.”
Overkill used to be operated under the name Inner Me with a different owner, and Hartberger said it had a strong customer base that she has maintained since taking over the space in May last year.
“I wanted to make something for myself to put my name on, and this place worked out,” she said. “It’s a great location, the landlord is really awesome, and there were just a bunch of great ways to get started.”
For the fashion collector, one of the best elements of the shop is chatting with the people who travel in and peruse her bins and racks.
“My favorite aspect is just looking at clothes all day, but I have loved getting to know people who have similar style to me or just really appreciate the pieces I’ve brought in,” she said.
Overkill is also a place where Hartberger encourages people to take the quirky or eclectic and make it their own.
“Put it on. If it looks good, keep it,” Hartberger said. “Let yourself be yourself.”
Hartberger describes the thrift and antiquing scene in Denver as “thriving.”
“Broadway especially is bustling with thrift and vintage stores alike, while several antique malls can be found throughout the area as well,” Hartberger said. “There’s something for every budget, whether you’re looking for records, comic books, clothes or antique home decor. Thrift stores have these items at lower prices but require more effort to dig for, while dedicated vintage and antique stores will be more curated at the cost of higher pricing.”