In a time where people are shifting to everything digital, bookstores are fighting to hang on. The world is a constantly changing place that leaves a lot behind, and these shelves full of history may vanish just the same. Sure, the convenience of buying online and shipping to the door is nice. And sure, it’s even easier to just download it and read on a computer, phone or tablet. However, if all the bookstores in the world disappear, and all those shelves are emptied, people will absolutely miss them.
Here are three local places to buy a book from a real person with real pages that you can meaningfully hold onto for the rest of your life.
Tattered Cover has three stores in the greater Denver area, but this success hasn’t taken away from their exemplary small business attitude. Since 1971, they have supplied Denver not only with good books, but also great places to simply unwind. Old wood, grand staircases and cozy chairs set the mood perfectly to find a good read.
Some books are used, but the majority of them are new. One can find just about anything imaginable from cheap paperbacks, to large and expensive coffee table books. If you have a book in mind, this is the place to find it, and if you don’t then you will most likely still leave with one.
Aside from the books, each Tattered Cover has lots going on. They sell various gifts from clothing to posters. Each one has its own café so visitors can stay all day, which many tend to do. They also host book readings and autograph signings to better engage the community into the world of literature. All this proves that a bookstore is more than just a bookstore.
While the Highlands Ranch store is fairly new, the Colfax and LoDo stores hold large historical significance. The LoDo store is in the restored Morey Mercantile Building, and the Colfax store is in the former Bonfils-Lowenstein Theater, which features the original stage, orchestra pit and a basement full of books. Tattered Cover has a historical presence amongst Denver’s literary community and an unbeatable atmosphere.
Old, worn and torn, Capitol Hill Books takes pride in being one of the last successfully standing bookstores in Denver. They have tons of great books for low prices and friendly service that will help anyone find the perfect purchase.
Specializing only in used books, the store offers countless shelves full of that old-fashioned book smell that so many love, all categorized by beautifully hand-drawn signs. Most books even have hand-written descriptions of the author. It doesn’t get a whole lot more authentic than that.
For over 30 years, they have been collecting and trading amongst customers, and don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Take a book or two with you to trade, and always make sure to check out the discount cart out front for the best deals.
Named after the famed Kurt Vonnegut character Kilgore Trout, this cozy bookstore is a literary centerpiece of Denver. Two hobby-sharing friends founded the store in 2008, and their dreams turned into reality. Let the blast of warm air at the door welcome you in and carry you to a great book or comic. They sell inexpensive used books that have been personally collected over the years, while the comics can be found new and used.
The store also publishes its own comics written mostly by Denver natives such as the “Blammo” series by Noah Van Sciver and “The Frantastic Four” by Sam Spina. These originals can’t be found anywhere else, and keep the dwindling comic culture alive. Kilgore Books & Comics is one of Denver’s most pure grassroots businesses in the midst of an electronic takeover, and this Capitol Hill gem is certainly worth checking out.
Downloading a book, or buying one online does not bring the same joy of picking up one from a store. Amongst a huge technological takeover, these outsourced bookstores remain loyal to the literary community and need more attention than ever.
