Boulder’s Wild Places and People: Judi Lesta

Lillian Ruelle, Staff Writer|April 2, 2020

The huge sign outside the store to catch the eyes of the passers-by. Photo courtesy of Belinda Ruelle

Are you a fan of antique stores and are also looking to expand your exploration and taste in wild goods? Check out the Amazing Garage Sale located at 4919 Broadway St, Unit #1 in Boulder. It’s an antique store that specializes in crazy and wild art, intricate furniture, music history and bizarre artifacts. The wild character behind it all is Judi Lesta, originally from the U.K. She is actively trying to make the store a fun and artsy shop. I had the chance to interview her about the journey of the store. She started the Amazing Garage Sale when she moved to Boulder after an adventurous life in Spain. “I loved the people I met and the process of getting everything material out of my life and being free of all

There is a huge display of art to buy and view as you venture through the store. Come see it in color! Photo courtesy of Belinda Ruelle.

items and able to start again,” she said about her moving process to Boulder. “I decided if I returned to the USA, I would like to do that exact process as a business… and I did return and I did do exactly that!” 

Twenty years later, the store has won multiple Gold Star Awards for  Best Antique Store in Boulder and always has visitors. The overall vibe she wants for the store is “a cool unique place, like partly museum, partly gallery/shop with friendly outgoing people that work there and to get inspiration.” and her goal is to have people feeling “refreshed from the humdrum generic shops in Boulder.” Along with all the trinkets to buy, there’s plenty to observe and look at.

On the wall of the music section in the store, Lesta has a grand display of original photographs from traveling with an array of musicians. Bob Marly, Bees Gees, Led Zeppelin, Blondie and The Jam are all bands and artists she’s photographed. “I just picked up photography as a hobby. People liked my work and gave me assignments. Pretty soon I became a full-time pro!” 

I asked her what her favorite photo was and she said, “I don’t have a favorite photo, I don’t think. However, it was lovely working with the Bee Gees, they were like family.” It would be difficult to have a favorite photo with so many incredible musicians to choose from. 

The Amazing Garage Sale has a little bit for everyone, from original art, to fun stories and history about Boulder and the store. If you’re even a bit bored from the “humdrum generic shops in Boulder,” stop by the Amazing Garage Sale; you might find something too amazing to pass up!