Kirstin Gulling is turning her long-time dream into reality by becoming the new owner of The Bookies, a beloved Denver bookstore that has been a staple in the community since 1972. As a former lawyer, Gulling is excited to embark on this new chapter in her life and build upon the foundation laid by previous owners.
The bookstore was previously owned by Nicole Sullivan, who purchased it in 2021 after the passing of original owner Sue Lubeck. Sullivan made the decision to sell the store to Gulling, who she believes will bring new energy and ideas to the business. The transition of ownership also includes Sullivan retaining ownership of the store’s real estate, which she purchased for $2.2 million in 2023.
Gulling’s vision for The Bookies is to create a welcoming community space where people can gather and connect. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences at bookstores like Borders and Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, Gulling understands the importance of these spaces in people’s lives. She plans to maintain the store’s focus on educators and young children while also expanding its community offerings.
One of the changes Gulling will implement is the addition of a used-book section and rearranging the shelves to create more inviting spaces for customers to linger. She also intends to seek feedback from customers and staff to ensure that The Bookies continues to meet the needs of the community.
Sullivan, the previous owner, made significant improvements to the store during her tenure, including modernizing back-end operations and expanding the adult titles section. Moving the store to a stand-alone building also increased visibility and improved profit margins. Despite these positive changes, Sullivan felt it was time to pass the torch to someone who could carry on the bookstore’s legacy for another 50 years.
With a commitment to preserving The Bookies for future generations, Gulling is eager to explore new ideas and strategies to ensure the bookstore’s longevity. By staying true to the store’s mission and values, she hopes to create a warm and welcoming space where book lovers of all ages can come together to discover new stories and build connections.
This article was originally published on BusinessDen. For more business news, sign up for the Economy Now newsletter.
