Q&A with Kate Sultan
The Woman Behind The Street Fair
By Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN
Kate Sultan was born in Cincinnati to Irish immigrants, moved to New York City after college, and spent 14 years working for Macy’s New York and Federated. In 1990 she was hired by EB Games to oversee the East Coast, then was transferred to California to manage the territory from Texas to Washington State. After eight years she was transferred to Denver. In 2004, EB wanted her to move to Houston. By then she was travelling up to 40 weeks a year and was pretty tired of it.
She and her husband Ed, whom she met in the early days of internet dating, had bought a grand old 1919 Craftsman Home in Park Hill in 2000. They had grown to love Denver and Park Hill. They decided to do something else. And so their shop, Modern Bungalow, was born. (The store is in University Hills, south of Park Hill.)
For the past several years, Sultan has been the main driving force behind Park Hill’s annual Street Fair, an all-day party on the parkway of Forest Street between Montview and 19thth Avenue. The Street Fair, on Sept. 11 this year, is always the day of the Park Hill Home Home Tour.
This month, Sultan sat down for a quick interview with the Greater Park Hill News. Here’s what she had to say.
Greater Park Hill News: Tell us about Modern Bungalow: Why did you open this business?
Kate Sultan: After searching high and low for the right pieces (both scale and look) for our 1919 home we figured we were not alone. There are many older homes in this town and many people who just like the casual and comfy Craftsman style. When we knew we didn’t want to move to Houston we thought Modern Bungalow just might be our answer. So, we spent the summer of 2004 searching for a location, the fall ordering and sourcing goods and opened in December of 2004. Twelve years later we have met some absolutely wonderful people, thanks to the store.
GPHN: What should be in every modern bungalow in Park Hill?
Sultan: Things that make you smile. Things that let you remember a person, a time an experience or place or vacation. Things that tell something about you. My favorite homes are ones that reflect the owner and are eclectic. I’d never tell anyone to make their whole home any one style – unless that is what would make them happy. Your home should be your favorite place and you shouldn’t have anything in it that makes you unhappy.
GPHN: In 2014 you were awarded the Greater Park Hill Community Babbs Award honoring an organizer/activist who has given back in big ways to the neighborhood. What does that award mean to you?
Sultan: Wow, I was surprised and humbled by that. I enjoyed digging in and building the Street Fair and I am happy that it has taken on a life of its own. I’ve never considered myself an organizer or an activist. I volunteered and just did what I thought was best.
GPHN: Who talked you into taking charge of the Street Fair?
Sultan: Longtime GPHC activist, Realtor and board member Roberta Locke got me involved. Modern Bungalow had contributed to the silent auction for years and when Roberta was looking for someone to help with the Street Fair, I said yes.
GPHN: You are generally credited with taking the Street Fair from a few booths to a large-scale community event. How have you done this?
Sultan: My first year was no smashing success! Maybe 50 vendors and a hand full of food trucks. Erik Boller (one of the food truck owners) asked if I would like him to organize the food truck for the next year. I said YES! and he has been doing the food trucks since. I had worked with Denver’s Old House Society in the past and knew many of the vendors from workshops and the Old House Fairs. I invited those folks because they are all skilled craftsmen who are unafraid of working on older homes and we have a few of those in Park Hill. The second year Joyce Cerretti designed a website for the Street Fair so vendors could go online and pick their spots. Joyce has managed our website since and made it a much smoother process. Lynn Maedel joined me in year three and has brought us talented bands and she has become the Wine & Beer Madam! Then Dr. Kate Hakala joined us to manage the kid’s activities. And with guidance from Roberta Locke, Nina Kuhl and all of the volunteers who come out to make this event happen it all came together. So, I have not done this alone.
GPHN: Did you imagine it would grow so big? Do you envision it growing even bigger?
Sultan: I am happy with what it has become and it is now time to bring in some new blood. I did not know we could get it to this level but I do know it can continue to grow. We add about 30 percent new vendors each year and I would love to see us fill both sides of Forest from Montview to 17th Avenue. And I have to say thanks to the great Forest Parkway neighbors who allow us to enjoy their beautiful street for this special day each year.
GPHN: You have probably seen just about everything during street fairs of past years. The wacky, the hysterical, the unexpected, the shocking. So, what is your best Street Fair story?
Sultan: We love that the governor of Colorado shows up. Both when he was the mayor of Denver, and now as the Gov. And, it is never a political pressing of the flesh for him.
GPHN: What will you do the day after this year’s Street Fair?
Sultan: I will sleep in and give my feet a rest.