It’s hard to miss the 60-foot neon sign on the large building that has sat empty for more than two decades on West 20th Avenue in Edgewater across from the Target.
The sign lit up for the grand opening Nov. 16 announcing the long anticipated Edgewater Public Market is finally open.
Those who have been in North Denver awhile may remember its predecessor:
“Dating myself, but is this where the old King Soopers was, many years ago?” Craig Williamson commented on the North Star’s opening day Facebook post.
Yes. Yes, it was.
The City of Edgewater purchased the former grocery store in 2004 and has been working with LCP Development to renovate it for the past two years. The tiny city is less than a square mile, and of that, two full city blocks are now anchored by the 50,000-square-foot food and retail hall at 5505 W. 20th Ave. The building was completely redesigned by Meridian 105 Architecture.
Opening weekend was bustling with neighbors excited to check it out. “So happy to welcome them to the neighborhood!” wrote east Sloan’s Lake resident Erika Taylor.
The large food hall features 16 food vendors, including:
- Roger’s Liquid Oasis, the large bar you encounter as soon as you enter, and which includes an impressive 2,200-square-foot rooftop terrace that features a gleaming 28-foot Airstream trailer that serves as the rooftop bar.
- Amethyst Coffee sits at the center of the food court seating area on a uniquely situated coffee island.
- Many of the restaurants in the food court originated as food trucks, with this being their first foray into permanent locations, including Arepas House, Konjo Ethiopian, Gyro King, Happy Cones, Lucky Bird, Mac Shack, Moontime Crepes and Slideshow Sliders.
- Other food court eateries have existing brick-and-mortar locations elsewhere, including Mugi Ramen, Barbed Wire Reef (on W. 38th Avenue in North Denver) and Lazo Empanadas. Kyle Knudson of nearby Joyride Brewing is opening Barquentine Brewing Company on the west side of the market, outside of the food court.
The entire market is covered by a common consumption liquor license, so guests can carry alcoholic beverages throughout the building and onto the patios and rooftop — but will be asked to get a plastic cup first.
Few of the retail stores were open for the grand opening; only about half of the 13 retail spaces have been filled according to the market’s website. Fleur d’ Henri, which sells a variety of CBD products, had opened. Depew Liquor is moving from its longtime location at the end of the parking lot into the retail area in the west end of the market. A cake decorating shop and boutique men’s, women’s and children’s clothing store were expected to open shortly after opening weekend.
Dogs are welcome throughout the market, and there is ample bike parking in the spacious 400-slot parking lot.
Visitors will notice three freestanding buildings on the edges of the giant parking lot. Two buildings are expected to become restaurants, and a third is slated for a fitness studio and additional retail.
The market is also hosting events: from crafts to tastings, classes to kid-friendly activities, and even public movies in a small green space outside during warmer months. A calendar is featured on the website at EdgewaterPublicMarket.com.
The market is open at 8 a.m. every day, and closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Not all vendors are open all hours. You can learn more at EdgewaterPublicMarket.com.
Photo by Sabrina Allie.
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