We strive to be more than just your typical convenience store. We want to intrigue and surprise you and connect you with people across the city. So we work hard to find small toys, gifts, and artwork that might bring a smile to your face or awaken old memories. Check out our used records and books. You are free to listen and read here at your will. We also have some fun and funky gift items as well as educational toys. But one of the things we personally enjoy the most is our local artist showcase. Every couple of months, we will spotlight a new artist from this area.  Old City Market is looking for new artists to spotlight.  Whether you are established or aspiring, we want to hear from you.  Give us a call, show us some of your work.  Let us know if you would like to be in our spotlight.

Old City Market is honored to have Cleve Overton as our first Spotlight Artist...

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Painter, Potter, Sculptor, Sojourner, Provocateur, Raconteur, Author, Professor … Cleve is a man of many ers, ors, and eurs. Originally from Staten Island, Cleve has been based here in Washington DC for over three decades. He has also lived in Africa and has traveled extensively throughout that continent. Although now 88 years old and recently retired to Florida, he i s still at heart a displaced island boy (Staten Island, NY) and Brookland (DC) native. Come check out Cleve’s paintings, sculptural paintings, toys and treasures.

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Also at the Market, check out the Books from our Partner, Upshur Street Books.  We have great works of fiction by some of today's most renowned authors.  Thought provoking books.  Funny, silly and, dare I say it, stupid books.  Cookbooks, Picture books, How to Books, and of course Children's Books. It is never too early to start reading to a child.  Get them to appreciate books early, make reading fun for your kids, and your retirement will be set in stone because your kids will be among the best and brightest, which means that they will be able to afford to take care of you in your dotage.

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Do you remember when phonograph records were the only way to own music?  Probably not, there are only a few of us at the Market who are that old (and at that age, we quickly forget those things anyway).  But you may be young enough to know that old vinyl is quickly becoming the latest thing.  Sure you can buy some great new albums from Amazon, or off ebay or re-issues of some old classics.  But why buy a re-issue when you can actually own the original?  At the Market you can find albums that are over fifty years old.  How do we know that?  Because we purchased them ourselves over fifty years ago.  Looking for a unique gift for mom or dad, or grandma or grandpa?  Check out the vinyl downstairs.  Did you know that we have a large collection of autographed albums.  You can find an original autographed album by Judy Garland (yes Toto, Dorothy sang more than simply Over the Rainbow).  Autographed albums by jazz greats Etta James and Benny Carter.  Even if you don't have a record player, these make amazing gifts, truly a collector's dream.  Want to experience the hip late fifties and swinging sixties?  Check out the sides of Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, and Herb Albert.  Everyone knows the Beatles, but where else are you going to find a two record 45 of the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour with twenty page picture book from 1967?  Even if you don't buy, you can come here and play the records in our basement.  It is like stepping into your own private time machine.  It is an experience you should not miss.

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And not just jazz or pop, but also classical.  Due to space limitations we have not brought down to the store all of our classical albums.  But if you are a serious opera aficionado we have some collections that will blow your mind.

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And Finally to all of those Parents and Grandparents of young children.  Check out our collection of Melissa and Doug toys.  Timeless quality that every kid will love and enjoy.

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