After the whirlwind of the holiday season, there’s a craving for a sense of familiarity, reset, and slowing down. Amid the chaos of consumerism, vintage shopping offers a refreshing alternative—a more intentional way of shopping that treasures the past while promoting sustainable living. For over twenty-some years, Mike Price’s Little Horse Vintage has become an antique shopper’s dream in its new Boulder home, a place where those can connect with history, uncover unique stories, and shop just a little bit slower.
For Price, vintage shopping isn’t just about buying beautiful objects, it’s about the thrill of discovery. “I’ve always been drawn to what speaks to me,” he shares. His keen eye is shaped by iconic art movements such as Bauhaus, Art Deco, and mid-century modern, as well as the free-spirited designs of the 70s disco era. “We’re very consistent in being inconsistent,” Price laughs. “Nothing ever really goes out of style here because we’re always looking for that inherent specialness in every piece.” This eclectic philosophy fills the shop with surprises, from classic literature to avant-garde Jazz records.
Price’s favorite part of the job? The treasure hunt. “It’s like being a kid again, playing and searching,” he says. His best advice for vintage newbies? “Gravitate towards what pleases your eye and what makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.”
Over the years, Price has seen a growing trend in younger generations reaching for vintage, both for ethical and environmental reasons. “Millennials are realizing old stuff is cool and lasting,” he notes. Parents often bring their children into the shop, sparking curiosity and appreciation for timeless objects like typewriters and rotary phones. For Price, it's a way of planting seeds for the next generation to value the charm of the past, just as he once did.
It seems the journey of Little Horse Vintage is just as rich as the treasure it holds. Growing up on Sugarloaf just west of Boulder, Price explored antique stores on family trips as a child, developing an early appreciation for things old. After earning a Master’s degree in Poetry in San Francisco, where he honed his eye for mid-century furniture and art, he returned to Boulder in 2000. Little Horse began humbly in a cleaned-out garage on 8th and Pearl, followed by a brief moment selling from an airstream trailer at the 7th and Pearl Antique Market.
As the business grew, so did Price’s determination. Little Horse Vintage moved through various locations, each area and the people along the way shaping a piece of what it is today. From East Pearl Street to Louisville to Fort Collins, the shop has become a community staple, ever-evolving with Price’s vision and countless connections. A collection of stories, sustainability, and togetherness, Little Horse Vintage is more than just a shop. Whether you’re a seasoned treasure hunter or new to vintage shopping, Price’s philosophy of following your instincts and blending the old with the new offers an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and find beauty in the past. As Price puts it, “There’s something about holding a piece of history and knowing it’s found a new home - it’s magic.”
To learn more, visit LittleHorseVintage.com.