http://www.thedenvereye.com/automart/ Visualizing Denver's Past & Present Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:34:29 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 http://www.thedenvereye.com/automart/comment-page-1/#comment-4223 Denver Todd Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:38:28 +0000 http://www.thedenvereye.com/?p=510#comment-4223 The Automart chain, which can be found all over the Denver area, changed its name to Big Top after a naming contest. It was in the forefront of of convenience stores at the time, but saw itself more as a small grocery store. I think the real estate guy had some problems with finding good locations; many of their stores are located in the middle of the block instead of a corner. The chain was later bought by U-tote-M, which was then bought by Circle K. Most of the locations still are extant, but I know of only one that is still a convenience store, the one in Arvada. The Automart chain, which can be found all over the Denver area, changed its name to Big Top after a naming contest. It was in the forefront of of convenience stores at the time, but saw itself more as a small grocery store. I think the real estate guy had some problems with finding good locations; many of their stores are located in the middle of the block instead of a corner. The chain was later bought by U-tote-M, which was then bought by Circle K. Most of the locations still are extant, but I know of only one that is still a convenience store, the one in Arvada.

]]> http://www.thedenvereye.com/automart/comment-page-1/#comment-2610 andy mack Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:45:11 +0000 http://www.thedenvereye.com/?p=510#comment-2610 yet another building that I dreamed of skateboarding on the roof of. I remember these as u-tote-m 's. yet another building that I dreamed of skateboarding on the roof of. I remember these as u-tote-m ’s.

]]> http://www.thedenvereye.com/automart/comment-page-1/#comment-923 Chris Leppek Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:20:06 +0000 http://www.thedenvereye.com/?p=510#comment-923 I grew up in Westminster and there was (and still is) one of these on 72nd Ave., just east of Federal. In the early 60s, it was known as "Big Top," and was a local chain of convenience stores, not unlike 7-11. There was another local chain called "Dee-Gee's," which had a store on North Federal. I'd love to see a photo of its great signage. Fantastic website, by the way! I grew up in Westminster and there was (and still is) one of these on 72nd Ave., just east of Federal. In the early 60s, it was known as “Big Top,” and was a local chain of convenience stores, not unlike 7-11. There was another local chain called “Dee-Gee’s,” which had a store on North Federal. I’d love to see a photo of its great signage. Fantastic website, by the way!

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