As an author, some of the most important professional relationships you can cultivate are with local booksellers. Denver may have lost its biggest independent bookstore to bankruptcy, but here is a list of four exciting new or forthcoming indie spots, all women-owned, to check out.
Corridor Bookstore
Location: 7700 W 44th Ave unit 3, Wheat Ridge
Hours: Monday, Friday, and Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-6pm (likely to expand soon)
Your "back-alley weird girl fiction dealer," Corridor is tucked behind the complex housing Ritualcravt (also worth visiting if you're into witchy, herbalist stuff) and the All Sacred Tattoo Studio. Missy, the owner, previously ran Ritualcravt and these two businesses often work collaboratively for special events, such as their upcoming Samhain Makers Market where you can shop for all things spooky season, including books by local participating authors (like me!). With limited space, Corridor feels cozy and inviting, like browsing in your favorite, kooky aunt's house, if she only owned strange books. If you don't find what you're looking for, Missy welcomes suggestions for additions and adds new stock regularly, so visit often! If you go in the next couple of weeks, you might even see my oldest kiddo behind the counter before college starts back up.
Perfect for: horror, dystopian, thriller, crime, noir, female protagonist, speculative, surrealist, dark, satirical, comedic, genre-bending, fantasy and unsettling types of books, primarily authored by women
Little Blue Pigeon
Location: 1413 Larimer St., Denver
Hours: Sunday - Monday 10am - 4pm, Tuesday - Thursday 10 am - 6pm
In contrast to the more niche Corridor above, Little Blue Pigeon brands itself as a "bookstore for everyone, where every genre has a home." Paige, the owner, worked as book publicist for over twenty years and believes in the power of local, independent bookstores to build community and promote a lifelong love of reading. Their events span from traditional author talks to curated book retreats, to the Blue Book Festival, a gathering of bestselling and local authors for events and signings in the heart of downtown. With a blue and white papered wall, clean, modern accents and plenty of natural light, the Little Blue Pigeon is a breath of fresh, Francophile air.
Perfect for: giving back to the community through initiatives like their Book Forward Program
My Book Cellar
Location: 5715 Upham St., Arvada
Opening in fall of 2026
Future Hours: Mon-Fri 7 am-7 pm, Saturday 8 am-8 pm, Sunday 12 pm -5 pm
Soon to grace the streets of Olde Town Arvada, My Book Cellar currently operates as a pop-up in places like the Colorado Tap House (August 30, 12-4pm) and Mad Macks Brewery (September 7, 11am-4pm). Owners Kate and Kim, also real estate agents, envision their store as a third space for connecting with neighbors and friends over a lively literary conversation, a cup of coffee, or a craft libation. They even offer personalized book fairs, bringing your favorite books, games, and gifts to your office, business, or neighborhood.
Perfect for: book club meet-ups over coffee or cocktails
Broom Book & Candle
Location: 482 S. Broadway, Denver
Opening in fall of 2026
Hours: Tues-Wed 10am-6pm, Thur 12-10pm, Fri 12-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm
A horror-first bookstore, cafe, and wine bar, Broom Book & Candle is the brick-and-mortar home for a community owners Amanda and KJ have built through retreats, a robust online presence including the Uncanny Women podcast, and the newly launched author organization, the Women in Horror Arts and Media Association. Promising candlelit ambiance in a trendy, industrial space, the store will host a variety of events, including Little Ghouls Story Time and an author-in-residence program in partnership with the WIHAMA.
Perfect for: lingering in the shadows at a themed experience
If I'm missing any recent independent bookstore openings, please drop a comment below! Happy shopping local!
Rachel Horak Dempsey is the author of the novella PN0K0, a sci-fi/horror retelling of Pinocchio. She has been published by TriQuarterly, Creepy Pod, Brigids Gate Press, Twenty Bellows (Pushcart nominated 2024), Stars and Sabers, and others. Rachel is also the editor of the anthology Horizons 2 from Twenty Bellows. She currently serves on the Executive Boards of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and Women in Horror Arts and Media Association. Rachel holds a BFA in Drama and English from NYU, a Master’s in Journalism from Georgetown and an MFA in Creative Writing from Regis University in Denver where she lives with her family.
Image by Anastasiya Badun at Pixabay