Denver’s Tattered Cover Bookstore, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, announced on Wednesday that it is opening a new bookstore in Aurora, an inner-ring suburb east of the Mile High City. The new bookstore, slated to open in early summer, will be Tattered Cover’s fifth outlet, its second location outside of Denver proper, and its first outlet specializing in children's books. The store will be located in the Stanley Marketplace, a 140,000-square-foot former aviation manufacturing facility turned into a warehouse-style development with food vendors and 50+ retail spaces.
The store will be located in a 1,400-square-foot space with child-friendly shelving. A large mural created by a local artist will be the centerpiece of the store, and architectural elements will evoke the experience of getting lost in a story. The store's name is still being decided upon, as according to a store representative, "it won’t just be called 'Tattered Cover' or 'Tattered Cover Stanley.'"
According to a release, “While the physical space will be focused on inspiring the littlest readers, the book selection will include titles for older ages as well.” Besides books, the store will carry child-oriented sidelines, toys, games, and gifts.
Kwame Spearman, Tattered Cover’s CEO, and the principal among a group of investors who bought Tattered Cover in December, told PW that Tattered Cover decided to open a children’s bookstore because “one core belief I have is that access to literature is the pathway to success for our youth.” While meeting with Stanley Marketplace executives to discuss partnership possibilities, Spearman said, “the light bulb went off for both parties at basically the same time” that a children’s bookstore would enhance the existing retail at the facility.
“We couldn't be happier,” Spearman added, “to create an environment that helps children fall in love with reading and books, which is central to our mission.”
Mark Shaker, Stanley Marketplace’s founder and chief visionary officer, commented, “From the first time we laid eyes on Stanley Marketplace seven years ago, we thought that Tattered Cover would the perfect fit for what we are trying to accomplish with our community gathering place. We are so excited to welcome Kwame and Tattered Cover to the Stanley Family. They embody everything that we believe in.”
Tattered Cover, founded in 1971 in Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood, is currently moving its flagship store from the city's LoDo location to nearby McGregor Square. There is also a Tattered Cover outlet on Colfax Avenue and in Union Station. Tattered Cover Aspen Grove is located in Littleton, a Denver suburb, and a new store is planned for Westminster, another Denver suburb, this year. There are three Tattered Cover-branded bookstores at Denver International Airport.
