Location of the first Big Top Auto Mart store in the Denver metro area, designed by the Denver architecture firm of Kellogg & Sayre. The unique pagoda-style buildings are some of the few remaining examples of the Googie style of roadside architecture in Colorado. The original use of the buildings were as small grocery stores. Located on major thoroughfares of Denver, these stores served as a place for those working in downtown Denver to pick up items like bread & milk on their way home, rather than planning a full shopping trip at one of the larger grocery stores. Over the years the Big Tops have been used for many different businesses, including: cell phone stores, cleaners, hair salons, ski shops. Some remain true to their original purpose: convenience stores with self-seve gas pumps. Several of the buildings are currently vacant.
Approximate dates for Big Top Auto Mart:
1957- Inspired by a convenience store chain from Texas called 7-11, a group of investors open their chain, then called Auto Mart.
1958- Changed named to Big Top in a naming contest.
1964- Big Top had 13 locations.
1967- With 16 locations, this is the last year as Big Top, before being sold to UtoteM.
2017- 8 original buildings remain intact, plus 1 building that has undergone extensive remodeling but the roof remains intact. 7 are currently occupied with businesses; 2 remain vacant.
