Denver’s Mom-and-Pop Bookstores Keep Turning the Pages

By Erica Buehler

Among the many wonderful features that Denver has to offer, it is also a city full of independent and locally loved bookstores. Some focus particularly on the books they sell, while others add bits and pieces of unique experiences to suit the desires of creative minds. Libations, food and pinball are among the bookstore options for those who have extra time. The small businesses continue to serve communities much like pubs, and they’ve experienced a resurgence in the past decade, despite the onslaught of e-book vendors. The following are a few of our favorites.

BookBar

4280 Tennyson St., Denver
303.284.0194
bookbardenver.com

Up on bustling Tennyson Street, with its boutique shops and specialty restaurants, is the fan-favorite BookBar. An indie bookstore that affectionately calls itself “a bookshop for wine lovers and a wine bar for book shoppers,” BookBar adds a little touch to the typical book shopping experience, featuring author readings and live music, patio seating, and online orders and shipping. Plus, 10 percent of all book sales are donated to the non-profit organization BookGive, a charitable organization for people in need.

Printed Page

1416 S. Broadway, Denver
303.777.7653
printedpagebookshop.com

For another unusual experience, be sure to check out the Victorian house on South Broadway’s Antique Row, which houses the Printed Page, a hidden treasure of rare and used books. The shop comprises 10 different booksellers (former and current librarians, lawyers, teachers and writers, among others), a dedication to its customers, and a comfortable place to “talk books.” Printed Page is also involved in a number of community give-back initiatives, including donating books and supporting local institutions.

Park Hill Community Bookstore

4620 E. 23rd Ave., Denver
303.355.8508
parkhillbookstore.org

The Park Hill Community Bookstore, which features new and used books, calendars, journals and cards, was formed in 1971, making it the oldest, continuously operated nonprofit bookstore in the Denver Metro area. A membership to the store yields impressive discounts and benefits, and the store is run almost entirely by volunteers.

Capitol Hill Books

300 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
303.837.0700
capitolhillbooks.com

Now having operated into its 39th year, Capitol Hill Books is known for serving the book-loving community by way of used and rare books. It offers a creative concept of Mystery Book Bundles, where curious readers can pay their tier of choice and receive a bundle of books chosen specifically for them. Curbside pickup and shipping are both offered as well.

Broadway Book Mall

200 S. Broadway, Denver
303.744.2665
broadwaybookmall.com

Arising from the ashes of the former Denver Book Mall and just two doors down from Fahrenheit Books is the Broadway Book Mall. The store’s website enthusiastically describes the location as having “great books, great people, great service and great parking.” Not a bad combination, if you ask us.

Mutiny Information Cafe

2 S. Broadway, Denver
303.778.7579
mutinyinfocafe.com

This eclectic bookstore has something to fit every need: a wide range of new and used literature? Check. Coffee bar? Check. Comic book shop, records and pinball machines? Check, check, check. The building itself has been standing since 1904 and has been everything from a grocery store to a dance studio and beyond — plus several bookstores. Aside from snacks, Pablo’s Coffee, kombucha, tea, and a selection of breakfast cereals, Mutiny also hosts live events like comedy shows, magic shows and author readings. It has an analog photo booth and recently launched a podcast studio.

West Side Books

3434 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
303.480.0220
westsidebooks.com

A beloved indie bookstore in the historic Highlands neighborhood, West Side Books has offered “new, used and unusual” books since 1997. In addition to a wide array of titles both in-store (tall towers of choices) and online, West Side also offers audiobooks and digital books through popular platforms. Can’t decide? The staff compiles recommendation lists to make online shopping easier, including staff picks, specially curated lists, store bestsellers and award-winning books.

The Bookies Bookstore

4315 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver
303.759.1117
thebookies.com

The Bookies is another locally loved bookstore featuring an abundance of titles across various genres, with tons of books and resources for children, schools and teachers. Check the website and social media for local author readings and other events. The Glendale shop is perfect for finding unusual titles and is also a partner with the annual Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Festival.

Trident Booksellers and Cafe

940 Pearl St., Boulder
303.443.3133
tridentcafe.com

A favorite among Pearl Street perusers is Trident Booksellers and Cafe, a combination of small press and rare books, coffee, tea and mystery book bags. The store and cafe, which “celebrates community, compassion, and independent thinking,” also offers beer and wine in the evenings, empanadas Thursday-Saturday nights, an online tea store with a selection of over 50 different teas, and a back patio on which you can sit and read. Also, consider buying a back-patio brick to support the cafe.

Erica Buehler is a freelance writer living in Littleton with her two dogs and plenty of coffee.