The Tattered Cover started as a quaint little store in the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood of Denver in 1971. When the current owner purchased it in 1974 it had 2 employees and 950sq ft. of retail space. Now there are three locations throughout the Denver Metro area. After expanding seven different times into adjoining retail space they had to move to a new location one block east of the original location. Some of the day to day operations and ‘bargain books’ remained in the ‘old store’ for a little while, in 1986 they centralized all of the operations in the store on First Avenue in Cherry Creek, closing the doors of the ‘old store’. They had officially made a name for themselves as the independent bookstore in the Denver Metro area. In 1994 they continued the tradition of the down home one on one feel that made them so popular and opened a small operation in the Historic Lower Downtown District of Denver (More commonly known as ‘Lo-Do’) The new location had a coffee shop as well. Patrons were encouraged to browse the selection of books and even take them into the coffee shop and enjoy a cup of joe while they browsed the unique selection of books that Tattered Cover had to offer. Then in 2004, just in time for the holidays, they opened a third location in the Highlands Ranch Neighborhood in Littleton. They continued the library/coffee shop feel. This no pressure non corporate feel had proved very successful for them. The Highlands Ranch location is very nice, as all of them are. It has a feel of home, with comfortable overstuffed chairs and couches, and a full service coffee shop. About the only thing they don’t provide is a laundry facility and a shower.
The Tattered Cover places an emphasis on local authors in their stores. They have a section dedicated specifically to local authors, and they regularly have book signings featuring local authors. Often times these book signings result in lines around the block. Of course they feature big name authors as well. Some of the authors that have made appearances at the Tattered Cover are; Former President Bill Clinton, Frank McCourt, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kurt Vonnegut, General Colin Powell, Sarah, Duchess of York and many others.
One could spend hours in this store and not buy a thing. As long as you are polite and mannerly the staff are more than accommodating to your needs. They are true book lovers just like you are. The staff at the Tattered Cover is by far the most knowledgeable of any bookstore I have ever been in. You can find a staff member and ask them an ambiguous question like “Do you have that book about…. ?” and not worry about feeling stupid. Not only will they know what book you’re talking about, but they’ll either have it or know how to get it for you. The customer service is what keeps me coming back it is second to none.
So if you are a book enthusiast this is the place for you. I am quite a book enthusiast and travel three hours from my home in Holyoke, Colorado to spend time at the Tattered Cover as often as I can. If you are a book enthusiast visiting the Tattered Cover for the first time I recommend that you plan on spending the day there. It is someplace that one can easily get lost in, and not want to be found.
For more information about the Tattered Cover visit their Website at http://www.tatteredcover.com
