Farmer's Market.

• Author: BRONIKOWSKI, LYNN
• Position: Brief Article

tres chic in Cherry Creek

Soaring sunflowers, crusty bread with Mediterranean olives, fresh cut herbs, organic produce, rich goat cheeses and pastas of every flavor are bountiful in Denver's Cherry Creek North neighborhood.

Only the bounty is not coming from the tony district's chic gourmet stores and restaurants but the Cherry Creek Farmer's Market -- the Cadillac of farmer's markets among nearly 50 farmer's markets throughout Colorado. In early May, Cherry Creek is the first to open for the season, and in late October, it is one of the last to close.

On Saturdays, 8,000 to 10,000 people line up as early as 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot at First Avenue and University Boulevard for first pickings among the Bavarian sausages, feta cheese spreads, European-style breads and pastries, ripe greenhouse tomatoes, specialty vegetables, fruits trucked in fresh from the Western Slope, and fresh field flowers. The tomato grower sells out by 10 a.m.; the Palisade fruit grower is swamped.

On Wednesdays, the market attracts a smaller crowd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but does a big lunchtime business with homemade tamales, quiche, an award-winning Key lime pie and espresso drinks among the offerings.

"It gets crazy around here," said Gail Ferris, who sells Pappardelli's pasta and fresh-frozen ravioli with such exotic fillings as mountain asparagus and wild mushrooms. "The farmer's market is a niche like no other -- we see regulars and new people every week."

The Cherry Creek Farmer's Market grew up as part of Colorado Fresh Markets, founded by Boulder organic farmer Chris Burke, and his wife, Michelle. Their mission is not only to bring the best Colorado produce, flowers and agricultural-based products to consumers, but to help save family farms. The opening of the FlatIron Crossing Market later this month will be their fourth market, with more on the way.

Burke hopes one day to create a permanent year-round market that will become a community and event center for farmers and city-slickers alike.

"The...