When one thinks of a "tattered cover", a book comes to mind - one that is often-enjoyed and well-loved. The same holds true for the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, Colorado.
One of the largest independent book stores in the United States, it was purchased by Joyce Meskis in 1974 and made its home in Cherry Creek for 20 years before moving to the historic downtown Lowenstein Theater on Colfax Avenue. The popular bookstore also opened numerous other branches over the years, all providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere to its patrons.
Long before chain stores offered comfortable chairs and coffee, the Tattered Cover opened its doors and arms to book lovers from every walk of life, and their popularity never waned. Over 400 authors, illustrators, and special guests have visited and spoken at these locations, including Julia Childs, Barack Obama, Isabel Allende, Kurt Vonnegut, and J.K. Rowling.
When Little Pickle Press Director of Sales, Katy Kenney, visited the LoDo Tattered Cover recently, she was thrilled to see a table in the children's section spotlighting What Does It Mean To Be Present? and What Does It Mean To Be Global?
During her visit, Katy met with Judy Bulow, lead buyer for children's books. Judy has been with the Tattered Cover for 22 years. She and her husband moved here from Illinois and raised their family in Denver. Katy asked Judy what makes TC stand out from other book stores and she said simply. "diversity."
Joining them were two popular TC employees, Jocelyn and Steve, who are the Storytime leaders at the Colfax store every Tuesday morning at 10:30. These two are a dynamic team. They get upwards of 40 kids per story time session. Katy asked them how they did it and they said, "lots of creativity, activities, music, and snacks!"
Little Pickle Press is so pleased to present the Tattered Cover in our first Featured Bookstore Monthly Review. We are tickled to have our books in the store as well, and completely understand why they recently won the Tickle City Award.
If you are in Denver, we highly encourage you to stop in at any of the Tattered Cover locations and pull up a chair. Tell them Little Pickle Press sent you. You'll be welcome to stay as long as you like, although we don't recommend you hang out so long you turn into a wax figure like this fellow did!
Be sure to connect with the Tattered Cover at their various online sites as well:
If you've visited any of the Tattered Cover locations in Denver, by all means tell us about it in the comments. We'd love to know your very favorite thing about the store.
This was an important visit for me as it was the first time Judy and I met in person after working by correspondence for close to two years. Another important reason was that I had my parents as my guide (they live in Highland Ranch), pointing out the local Tattered Cover store in their area and giving me a history lesson as we drove to downtown Denver from their home. As educators, my parents are very impressed with the content and history of the TC franchise. Judy, Jocelyn and Steve were very warm and welcoming to all of us. As we left, they invited my mom, dad and me to return and attend a story time...with snacks of course! I came away with new and successful ideas that I have shared with the rest of the Little Pickle Press team. It was a great visit and I look forward to meeting them all again.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping we don't lose such valuable resources for readers and authors.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
I hope not either, although TC has always bucked the trends. They thrive in a time when other book stores are closing, and it's hard to figure out the dynamics. They have long-time employees, gorgeous facilities, lots of stock, and are succeeding. Some combination of factors simply works there. It's probably as much steady leadership and keeping the vision and balance from year-to-year.
ReplyDeleteI miss the years I worked at First & Cook and walked over on my lunch hour or after work. You could rub elbows with a homeless person washing up in the restroom, priests from the Catholic Diocese, CPAs and attorneys who had offices in the area, retired folks from the many nearby communities. It was a wonderful mish-mash of humanity. Those were the days! (insert wistful sigh)
ReplyDeleteGood bookstores are so hard to find these days! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLittle Pickle Press is proud to support the finest independent bookstores, Tattered Cover among them. Thank you, Tattered Cover, for leading by example. We wish you continued success.
ReplyDeleteIt was a treat for us to visit the Tattered Cover Bookstore with our daughter Katy, who is one of the happy people working at LPP.
ReplyDeleteMeeting Judy Bulow and her enthusiastic team made it very obvious how wonderful it is for the children of the area to have them in their lives. TC is a warm, friendly, cozy corner of busy Colfax Ave. in Denver. Ruth and Don Gaviglio, Highlands Ranch, CO.
:)
ReplyDeleteI was so thrilled to visit the Tattered Cover Bookstore on my first book tour for Skating Around The Law last year. As a debut author, I felt like I was playing at being an author, but their staff was amazing and for the first time made me feel like I was a real author. Signing their author book was an incredible feeling and I can't say enough about the service they provide to their community and to readers around the country. I subscribe to their newsletter and they do such an amazing job. Anyone who hasn't visisted the Tattered Cover needs to stop by when they are in the Denver area. You won't be sorry!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that, Joelle! It's really nice to know they treat authors so well, because it's such a tough industry for everyone right now.
ReplyDeleteI love old bookstores. They have so much charm. Its great that popular writers grace these sotres with their presence. Every little bit helps in these lean times.
ReplyDeleteIt is so thrilling to see Tattered Covers mentioned over and over again. Being a transplant to Denver around 2 years ago, TC saved my life my first few crazy and stressful weeks here as I could relax in an environment that wasn't so commercialized. Thanks so much for mentioning Tickle City as well--the bookstore certainly deserves an award!
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