Nostalgia and a peek into Tattered Cover’s New Location
Christen Aldridge
Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover envisions the bookstore's new location on 19th and Wazee in the brand-spanking new Mcgregor Square as a nod to the bookstore’s past while celebrating its future. The atmosphere of the Downtown Tattered Cover is nostalgic. Denverites and faithful patrons will reminisce browsing through the Cherry Creek and the LoDo location once noticing the green carpet and the grand staircase that leads upstairs. “Tattered Cover’s signature green carpet is back as a nod to the Tattered Cover brand and then we have a wood floor as a more modern feel” Kwame told Five Point Atlas. The 6,800-square-foot store features bookshelves that are built from wood that was used in the old LoDo location bringing together the past and the future.
In total there are 2500 books in the store. The Tattered Cover tips its hat to local authors with shelves advertising their work. “From the swag,mugs and some books on display are all created by local artists and writers.” Spearman says. On the first floor there is a cozy corner for children to play and read and book shelves with staff recommended books for people to look through. “We have a diverse group of books because our staff is diverse,” Spearman states.
Another way Kwame is bringing the new and the old together in the new location is having a Hue-Man experience bookshelf. Each month, Clara Villarosa, owner of the Hue-Man Experience Bookstore lends her curatorial expertise and recommends books of the African Diaspora. The partnership between the Hue-Man Experience Bookstore and Tattered Cover is to foster diversity through literature.
Up the grandiose nostalgic stairway is the second floor where patrons will find more books to discover and look forward to events being held in this space.
Although the Mcgregor square is smaller than the LoDo location, Kwame Spearman explains the lease arrangement is better here at the Mcgregor Square. Their monthly rent is based on how much revenue the store makes rather than a flat fee.
Kwame is very optimistic about the bookstore’s future in the McGregor Square which includes a Starbucks, hotel, residences and other fun shops that will be enjoyed by the Denver community. Who could also ignore the amazing view of Coors Field outside the window. This summer is looking very promising for the bookstore. Patrons can look forward to fun and educational events and book recommendations about Pride, Juneteenth and the MLB All Star Game.
As a Denverite, Kwame Spearman, is nostalgic about the store’s grand opening “Growing up here and going to Tattered Cover and witnessing how the bookstore has evolved and changed, how this location has evolved and changed, it is a very exciting feeling”.
The Tattered Cover will be opening a Children’s bookstore early this summer in the Stanley Marketplace on 2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010 and a Westminster location will be opening this year as well.
Come check out the Tattered Cover Downtown on 1991 Wazee Suite 100.