As you guys know, visiting libraries and bookstores on vacations is a big fun event for me. On our recent trip to Colorado, I got the chance to stop by the Colfax location of Denver's famous Tattered Cover Bookstore. My first time at this independent bookstore - hopefully not my last. The original Tattered Cover opened in 1971 and this particular location on Colfax opened in 2006. It was an old theater that had been renovated. There's a cafe and many events are scheduled at this and other locations as well.
This a nice seating area in the center of the store. My husband sat there for a while with a cup of coffee and had fun with the 5G that was available. Not sure if those theater seats are from the original here, but perhaps. In any case, I took my time looking around.
As one might expect, I started my shelf-looking in this section. I know. You're shocked. Ha! The Tattered Cover reminded me a bit in some ways of Powell's in Portland, Oregon. They sell both new and used books and shelve them together. That's a nice feature which I always liked about Powell's. I was so engrossed in the shelves that it took me a bit to realize that I spilled part of my latte down the front of my shirt. Sigh. Off to find the restrooms downstairs to clean myself off as much as possible.
I'm not buying very many books in print these days, but I make exceptions for independent bookstores. These were my two purchases. Girl In Snow by Danya Kukafka was on a shelf section with 'Local Authors' at the top. Not sure if the author lives in the Denver area, but the book is set in Colorado and it's a debut novel. One Small Sacrifice is by Hilary Davidson, an author that I met at Left Coast Crime in Phoenix a few years ago. She was appearing at an event at the bookstore the night after we were there. I wish I could have attended that event, but I convinced the staff to sell me a paperback copy of the book. Then I just had to figure out how to get the books into my suitcase for the flight home.
If you ever get a chance to visit The Tattered Cover, it's worth it. I hope to go back one day.
This sounds like a great little place to visit. Like you, I rarely buy a print book these days, but we have a cute little Indie several towns over and I try to support them now and then buy buying one of the Europa imprints that I love.
ReplyDeleteYou sound just like me, Diane. I do like to support the indies when I can.
DeleteI like to visit bookstores too. I'll be in Denver in a few weeks, but it's basically an airport stop and pick up the car to head farther west. Maybe I'll be able to squeeze in a trip to the store before heading to Boulder.
ReplyDeleteTattered Cover does have a Denver Airport location...just FYI...ha! I think Boulder has a nice indie too, but I can't recall the name.
DeleteI wish we had more independent bookstores near us. I hope to get to Denver one day, so I will have to keep this store in mind!
ReplyDeleteI think the indies are still around in some places, but it's a tough market.
DeleteI've been to two of Tattered Cover's stores in my travels over the years. Both were wonderful in terms of book selection and food. Very comfy to sit in when browsing as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think there are at least 4 locations of this store in Denver - one at the airport.
DeleteI've been to Denver a couple of times in the past 5 years, but have yet to make it to Tattered Cover... next time for sure! It looks like a great place to spend an hour or two. Like you, my book-buying in print has become almost nonexistent. Two exceptions are an NYC indie I love (Book Culture) and one here on the island.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I think that we know that transporting books is easier in e-book or audio format, right? And I think that our libraries help with that.
DeleteI just found out about an interesting used book store in south Austin. Nothing over $10, most less. Books dating back to early 1900's. Good Buy Books https://www.goodbuybooks.net/what-we-sell
ReplyDeleteThe person that told me about it is stopping in weekly. lol I want to go in the next couple of weeks. Run by a Viet Nam vet and supposedly has a lot more books offsite.
Gayle, I've not heard about Good Buy Books. I'll have to take a look at the website, though I don't get to South Austin very much.
DeleteI, too, visited The Tattered Cover once but not that location. It's a fun story.
ReplyDeleteI had taken my young daughter, I think she was about 3 to the children's museum and it was meant for extremely young children. She was over it but we didn't have the rental as my husband took my son to a ball game. So we walked from the museum to downtown through the rain, some sketchy overpasses and questionable people to get to the darn store! We made it and spent hours there until my husband could pick us up. That part, was my favorite.
I love that story, Ti! What a sacrifice to have to spend hours there. Ha!
DeleteI've been to the Tattered Cover Bookstore and it's great. I also was at Powell's at the end of March which was fun. Both are indie bookstore beacons. Enjoy your books!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Good to hear that you're another Powell's fan!
DeleteSome day, I hope to visit. In the meantime, I think I'll look for Girl in Snow and hold it for when the heat really reaches misery level in July and August!
ReplyDeleteNow that sounds like a good plan. You know I like my 'cold books in summer' reads.
DeleteWhat a lovely bookstore! I like the theater seats for for relaxing & enjoying the books (or wifi)! Like you I don't purchase many print books these days, but I make an exception for indie bookstores.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun place to spend a couple of hours and the fact that there was comfy seating was a plus - and coffee. Ha!
DeleteI love bookstores like this one. I wish there was one like it near where I live.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish so too. Our area north of Austin has a new little bookstore that opened in the last few weeks. I still haven't made it over there, but I hope to soon.
DeleteI've been to Denver, but I've never visited The Tattered Cover. Looks like a great bookstore!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd definitely like it, Susan.
DeleteI like visiting bookstores wherever I go. Sounds like you'd a fun time there, Kay!
ReplyDeleteI did have a fun time, Melody. Just put me in a room full of books and I'm set for hours.
DeleteI don't like to travel, but if I did, finding and visiting bookstores would be my favorite part. One of my fondest memories is visiting New Orleans over 40 years ago with Glen, before we got married, and visiting several bookstores in the French Quarter.
ReplyDeleteI do buy mostly hard copy books, usually used or online, but make an exception for our independent bookstore, which has a lovely mystery section.
I'm trying to think whether we visited any bookstores on trips to New Orleans. Maybe. It's been quite a while since we've been there, but our daughter and son-in-law love taking New Orleans trips.
DeleteWhenever we travel my favorite thing to do is to check out the indie bookstores. One of these days I'd love to visit the Tattered Cover Bookstore. I actually didn't realize there were two. What a fun visit!
ReplyDeleteThere are actually 4 or maybe 5. One in the airport.
DeleteIt's been decades since I visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore! I only have a vague recollection of the store, but I do remember that I loved the way there were cozy little corners with comfy chairs. Indie bookstores are high on my list when we're on our roadtrips. Glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, bookstores and libraries. I love to visit all of them.
DeleteLooks like a wonderful bookstore. I always look for the local library in any new town I visit. My hubby things I am weird, but he will go into bookstores with me!
ReplyDeleteYes, my husband is used my 'need' to visit bookstores and libraries. His happy place is the golf course. It all works out very well. LOL
DeleteWe visited Denver about 10 years ago and I still remember the Tattered Cover! Great bookstore.
ReplyDelete