Vintage Marketplace and valley-wide thrifting and antiquing

 For the first time, a Gunnison Vintage Marketplace will be held in Jorgensen Park along Highway 50 on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The event, created by former Gunnison Chamber Director Celeste Helminski, will feature vendors, both individuals and businesses such as the Boom-A-Rang, Wild Finds Antiques & Uniques, and Six Points non-profit. The Sunday market overlaps with the annual Art in the Park show in Legion Park. Vintage vendors will offer clothing, jewelry, furniture, collectibles, one-of-a-kind finds, glass, linens, family heirlooms, and treasures from the past.

Asked about the inspiration for creating this event, Helminski said the impetus came when she started cleaning out her guest room closet and looked through several boxes that had been sitting there for at least ten years. The boxes mostly contained items she had moved from her parents’ house or collected over time that were not being used but were fun items. “I asked Sharon Affinati of Wild Finds if she thought holding a vintage fair in the park might be a good idea. Between Sharon and me, we knew several others who had an interest in vintage and decided to create a marketplace event.”

The resale market continues to grow, driven by affordability, sustainability, and changing consumer habits. Environmental considerations and economic realities are also encouraging us as a community to reconsider our waste practices. Keeping usable items out of the landfill and appreciating goods and clothing manufactured in a former era that carry a suggestion of our heritage has caught on. Recycling, reusing, and repurposing have become trendy, and this cycling through gently used merchandise has taken off in our valley.

Six Points Thrift Store has long been recycling new and used goods donated to support adults in the valley with disabilities. Six Points recently expanded into Crested Butte with the Jailhouse Collections housed in the historic jail on 2nd Street to increase its outreach and exposure with curated vintage and thrift. “Through both our original Gunnison location, which is so crucial to waste diversion in the county, and now our jailhouse boutique in CB, Six Points is lucky to witness and participate in the burgeoning vintage economy in our valley. We are excited to see the enthusiasm and capable people involved in making this happen - to provide the treasure hunt to support our nonprofit, but also to work side by side with the passionate people and share in the development of this crucial segment of our economy is a real joy,” store manager Anita Halpern said.

For vintage shopping, there are several great local options to explore. The Boom-A-Rang, located on Main St., is an eclectic resale and consignment store featuring a large selection of vintage and name-brand clothing, costume rentals, and furniture. For many years it has offered a lively mix of secondhand, high-end, vintage apparel, goods and accessories. The Thrifty Hippy, also on Main St., specializes in curated hippy style clothing. Making Change is a more recent addition to the local thrift scene.

Wild Finds Antiques & Uniques is a must-visit for vintage furniture, antique home decor, depression glass, and collectible fabrics. Just minutes past Hartman Rocks, the spacious barn is filled with treasures from nearly every era of the Wild West. Visitors step into a space where history, craftsmanship, and second chances come together. Every piece has been discovered, sorted, and given an opportunity to be appreciated again. Wooden rocking chairs, belt buckles, antique jewelry, cast iron items, and old paintings all have their place. This location literally functions as a portal to Wild West history, offering vintage housewares, decor, and estate finds.

Heading up-valley is Jack’s Cabin Antiques, owned by Leslie Lochlear, a unique salvage yard and antique shop located off Highway 135, halfway between Gunnison and Crested Butte, which features over 6 acres of quirky rustic relics, collectibles, and architectural salvage.

Established hubs in Crested Butte for vintage and resale are Saint Mary’s Garage, a community clothing pantry; Resilient Threads for vintage clothing and accessories; and Wild Aster, offering hand-selected western vintage.

 Sylvia Karcz has created Vagabondia Vintage above the Alpineer. “Rooted in resourcefulness and reuse, I firmly believe there is a bounty of beautiful 'pre-loved' things in our world that can be infused with new life. My goal with Vagabondia is to find these treasures and pass along their story and potential, encouraging shoppers to find joy in well-made, timeless garments that already exist in our world.” Vagabondia offers vintage clothing, accessories, antiques, and curios. 

With the help of a list she has printed, a nifty card that outlines where to vintage shop in both Crested Butte and Gunnison, she is encouraging customers to wander, explore, discover, and remember.

Karcz said, “I’m a huge proponent of the circular notion of shopping, and I encourage customers to shop at a variety of different recycle stores, markets and popups. Each has a different vibe and a different price point, and it’s exciting to see it taking off in the valley. I’m all about previously owned items from a sustainability aspect. The current trend toward fast fashion is terrible for the planet, where garments are discarded after only months and add to the waste. Clothing which already exists allows for less harm but also encourages creativity and a more unique style.”

With all these expanding local interests and options, the upcoming Vintage Marketplace is likely to be a hit with vendors and customers alike.

Helminski has persuaded a prominent gemologist from Krivanek Jewelers in Salida, Mark Krivanek, to attend the event on Sunday. He will evaluate one jewelry item per customer as a service, creating a roadshow vibe.

Helminski sums up the desired outcome of the Vintage market. “First, for me personally, cleaning out the closet! Next, having fun and creating an interesting marketplace gathering with others who appreciate vintage goods and can repurpose them, sharing history and creativity. Could it become an annual event? “Perhaps! If there is a strong interest, maybe so.”

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: to spark curiosity and creativity by offering a diverse, well-curated, exciting selection of vintage clothing, goods, and reimagined findings.