Levit Street Market has become a vibrant hub of community life set against historic architecture. It offers an eclectic array of goods and entertainment that reflects the diverse tastes, talents, and interests of Central City’s residents and visitors alike.

Every other Sunday morning during the summer months, Central City transforms the 300 block of Levit Street, the space running between two one-way roads, into a unique place of commerce and creativity. Here you will find fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and a dash of live music to set the mood.

Bobby Wicks, local musician, graced the stage on Sunday, August 26, setting a harmonious backdrop for shoppers to explore the market at a leisurely pace, playing American favorites like “Deep Ellum Blues,” “Rocky Raccoon,” and “The Letter.”

Underneath the shade of aspen trees and nestled against a historic stone building, tents lined the half-enclosure.

Based out of Lafayette, Inside the Staves owners, Justin and Gwen Brandenburg, say they like vending in Central City because of the cooler weather and plan to set up their booth at least one more time this season.

Inside the Staves Woodcrafts creates home decor out of old whiskey barrels and bottles, like lamps, candles, and magnets. They also custom-engrave home decor items like cutting boards and coasters.

Local artisan and owner of Wild Bergamot Soap, Katie Burnham, displayed her talents through handmade soaps in a spectrum of scents and designs. She also handcrafts deodorants, lotions, sugar scrubs, shampoo bars, and aloe vera butter.

Burnham lives across the street from the market and said, “This is my place. I like to be here. I have no excuse to not be here.”

She will have a new website on September 1 to coincide with the launch of her new lip gloss line. She encourages her clients to text or email her if they ever need more of her products. She has attended all but two Levit Street Markets since its inception two years ago and will continue for the foreseeable future.

Jake Kaiser was given a tye-dye kit a few years ago and the rest is history. Kaiser has been creating tye-dyes for 15 years and selling them for the last two.

His colors appear very vibrant due to a signature technique using ice. Color-conscious hippies can delight in his vast array of tie-dye t-shirts, adding a pop of personality to their wardrobe.

Jake can be reached via his personal Facebook page and makes tye-dyes for all sizes, from infant to 5x. He can also be found vending at the Nederland Farmers Market.

Nearby, local jewelry maker Evelyn Blodgett and her daughter Willow showcased intricate creations, from gemstone malas to upcycled leather feather earrings, AKA “fleathers.”

In Hinduism, a mala is a string of beads used for meditation and prayer. Many are worn like necklaces. Blodgett has been making jewelry for about ten years, and has focused on custom malas during the last four, offering workshops on how to make intention-based and/or birth chart malas.

She also vends at the Nederland Farmers Market and can be reached at evi3lutionjewelrydesign.bigcartel.com or on Facebook.

Bright fruits and intriguing fungi attract shoppers to the Holistic Homestead stall. The booth is an extension of the nonprofit organization located at 972 Golden Gate Canyon State Road in Black Hawk. This week the booth offered organic fruits and vegetables, including tiny plums and lion’s mane mushrooms.

The “Seesters” were on site keeping everyone fed with their amazing street tacos, grilled veggie sandwiches, Mexican-style cupcakes, and deliciously flavored tea and lemonade.

Even vintage and resale goods had their corner, providing treasure hunters with a chance to uncover rare finds and unique accessories. Past markets have also featured a swap meet element where portable goods are exchanged.

The Levit Street Market is sponsored by the Bates Hunter Mine (Gilpin County’s only active mine), which happens to be right across the street from the market, and by the Central City Business Improvement District. Vendor space is free due to their generous donations.

So, whether you’re in search of fresh produce, unique gifts, or just a pleasant Sunday morning outing, Levit Street Market in Central City is the place to be from May to October. With its charming atmosphere, diverse offerings, and the soothing sounds of live music, it’s a market that truly brings the heart of town to life.

Mark your calendars for the next Levit Street Market on Sunday, September 10, at the 300 block of Levit Street that runs between Lawrence and Gregory Streets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested vendors should reach out to JulesK@ LevitStreetMarket.com