At 9 a.m. on summer Sundays through October, Platt Park residents descend on Old South Pearl Street. The lure? The Farmers’ Market, 1500 block of South Pearl Street. The road transforms into a pedestrian-only paradise lined with booths selling wares from goat milk soaps to freshly made pasta and barbecue sauces. Load up on the first crops of beans, cucumbers, and peaches before exploring the more than 30 nearby shops and restaurants.

For lunch, wander a few blocks to Park Burger, 1890 S. Pearl St. The brainchild of Jean Philippe Failyau—part-owner of LoDo’s Osteria Marco—the tiny burger joint started sizzling up juicy patties and hand-cut sweet-potato fries in May. Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Pajama Baking Company, 1595 S. Pearl St., with one of its 16-plus ice cream flavors. Or cross the street for a whimsical lemon cupcake from Mulberries Cake Shop, 1570 S. Pearl St., and ask the staff about ordering petit fours for your next soiree.

5280 July 2009
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At Greentree Cyclery, 1549 S. Pearl St.—a neighborhood staple since 1978—take an Electra cruiser for a test ride. The owner can outfit your ride with a front basket, perfect to cart home your farmers’ market bounty. Nearby, the duds and toys at The Green Monkey Baby, 1511 S. Pearl St., are precious and eco-friendly (ask if the hand-dyed Irie Star onsies are in stock), while next door you’ll find an emporium of just-right summer dresses at PJ’s Boutique, 1509 S. Pearl St. Don’t be surprised if the owner asks you to weigh in on next week’s order of frocks while you’re browsing the racks. Nearby at Unity, 1455 S. Pearl St., the owner stripped off 12 layers of wallpaper to give this bungalow a hip, bohemian vibe that matches her stash of socially responsible and green clothing.

After a day of shopping, quench your thirst with an apple-seed cocktail—a mix of cinnamon-apple vodka, ginger beer, and honey syrup—at Black Pearl, 1529 S. Pearl St., before heading to Izakaya Den, 1518 S. Pearl St., for dinner. Request a table on the patio or by the massive street-front windows; on summer nights the panes are often cranked open so you can people-watch and nosh on nigiri as the sun sets.

This article was originally published in 5280 July 2009.
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner is a Denver-based writer and the former Articles Editor for 5280.