We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Crawford and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Joseph, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Both my Grandmother and Granddad’s relatives came to Colorado in special ways. My Grandmother was a little girl when she came with her family in a covered wagon from Springfield, MO in the early of the 1900’s. They first came to Flagler. From there a time in Wyoming, then back to a family farm in Arvada, then Perry Park. My Granddad’s family came from Sweden to Denver in the 1880’s. I remember hearing stories about the good old days. Simpler times when Denver was young. I guess these stories gave me a love of history, and all things old. Growing up in Denver, spending time with family in the mountains nourished a love of this wonderful state and its beauty.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Old Crows Antiques is Colorado’s newest antique mall. Our first year has been one for the books! We originally opened on March 12, 2020 after more than a year of planning, demolition, and construction. Only seven days later, on March 17th, we were forced to close our newly opened store due to COVID-19. We remained closed until county and state allowed us to re-open on May 9, 2020. We have been diligently following COVID-19 protocols and requirements in adherence with the State of Colorado and Jefferson County.
Social distancing, masks, disinfecting, and encouraging have been the norm here at Old Crows.
Our facility has over 45,000 sq. feet with a variety of merchandise including antique, vintage, mid-century, farmhouse, upcycled, repurposed, re-used and a vinyl selection that continues to grow. We have over 275 different dealers who have made their display spaces unique and special.
Our one-of-a-kind mall houses “The Root Beer Bar” featuring a broad selection of root beer, diet root beer, nostalgic sodas and merchandise with delicious vanilla and root beer flavored ice cream for those who love root beer floats (and who doesn’t?).
Our goal was to make Old Crows Antiques a Colorado destination, the best in Colorado, the best in the west! Our dealer community, employees, and customers have made this experience and journey as special as the unique and special items for sale. Every day new memories are created and old memories are stirred.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Of course I’d insist on a trip to Old Crows Antique Mall, Turntable BBQ, perhaps more than once, and why not. That said, we’d have to take in all that Denver, and the near-mountain west has to offer. We’d show them the state capital, we’d stop at Pablo’s Coffee at 13th and Pennsylvania for great coffee and stroll up the block to see the Molly Brown House and Museum. Down Grant street to Cosmo’s Pizza (5th and Grant) for made to order pizza slices and their wonderful spicy ranch dressing. Washington Park would be on the itinerary, and of course breakfast at Devil’s Food Bakery on old Gaylord Street. We’d grab ice cream at Bonnie Brae Ice Cream, Little Man & Liks Ice Cream, and of course Voodoo Donuts on Colfax.
The Denver Art Gallery and Botanical Gardens are always great stops. Red Rocks Amphitheater, Rhino District, Coors Field, The Denver Union Station, 16th Street Mall, Tennyson Street, Avanti, Sassafras Eatery, Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters, Birdcall…
Up the hill, we’d take them to Frisco, Lake Dillon, Silverthorne’s Outlet Stores, Breckenridge (Empire Burgers are a must!) and a walk to see the “Troll at Breckenridge,” and ride the Gondola. Steamboat Springs would be a stop, with a burger at the Back Door Grill. A soak at Strawberry Park hot springs, and a stroll down main street and Coffee at Big Iron. We’d drive the Peak-to-Peak Highway from Black Hawk and Central City all the way to Estes Park where we’d experience Rocky Mountain National Park, scenic wonders, and of course great road food.
Let’s face it, food is life, and life in Colorado is full of adventure and wonder.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout would be to my ancestors, those who have gone before. Those who have shaped my past, and those who help me today. As long as their thought of, their names remembered, they live on…
Website: www.oldcrowsantiques.com
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