Tattered Cover opening in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Colorado's largest independent bookstore is opening its newest location in Colorado Springs. This will be Tattered Cover's eighth location and first outside of the Denver metro area.

On Tuesday morning, employees at Tattered Cover were sorting through books and getting them on the shelves in preparation for the big opening.

"All you need is a slight idea of what you’re looking for and you can find an amazing book that will make you a reader for the rest of your life," said Kwame Spearman, the CEO of Tattered Cover.

The new store on North Tejon is 8,000 square feet. It comes with a bar, cafe, and kids area.

"I think our biggest goal in Colorado Springs is to become a community institution, and so we want to be a place that all walks of the community can come in, have a glass of wine, and read their favorite book," said Spearman.

Tattered Cover has been around for 51 years and says they saw a need for an independent book store in downtown Colorado Springs.

"With in Tattered Covers history it's always been an anchor institution in rapidly changing neighborhoods. If you go back to the historic LoDo in Denver, Tattered Cover was one of the first tenants in that area during its rehabilitation. We see similar things happening in Colorado Springs where we can bring energy and excitement to an already changing and prosperous area," said Spearman.

The Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs says the downtown area is going through a renaissance.

"We’ve got new businesses popping up all the time, and what they all do is bring a new client down here that is here to specifically see them and what’s good for one is good for everyone," said Carrie Simison, with Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs.

In 2021, downtown Colorado Springs saw a record setting number of new businesses. At the beginning of this year, a dozen and counting were set to open. Downtown Partnership says Tattered Cover will be a big draw.

"And once they’re down here they’re going to be walking around and see the really cool brewery next door, the cool boutique and really bring foot traffic to downtown that is going to bring great exposure to the rest of our merchants," said Simison.

Tattered Cover expects they'll be open by Wednesday morning.