Former lawyer buys The Bookies, half-century-old Denver bookstore

Kirstin Gulling Takes Over Denver Bookstore The Bookies

Former lawyer Kirstin Gulling is fulfilling her dream of owning a bookstore by taking over Denver staple The Bookies, originally opened by Sue Lubeck in 1972. Gulling, a first-time bookstore operator, is excited to build on the talented community that already frequents the store.

Gulling purchased the retail shop from Nicole Sullivan, who had relocated the store to its current 7,000-square-foot location in the Virginia Village neighborhood. Sullivan, who still owns the store’s real estate, believes Gulling’s energy and fresh perspective will help grow sales and bring in more customers.

With a long history of finding solace in bookstores like Borders and Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, Gulling sees The Bookies as a vital community space. She plans to maintain the store’s mission of serving educators and young children while expanding into a more inclusive community hub.

While retaining all 23 staff members, Gulling’s main focus will be on adding a used-book section and creating more inviting spaces for customers to linger. She aims to keep The Bookies a warm and welcoming place by listening to customer feedback and implementing changes accordingly.

By taking over from Sullivan, who improved margins and visibility by relocating the store, Gulling hopes to continue The Bookies’ legacy for another 50 years. With a purchasing company aptly named 50 More Years, Gulling is committed to preserving the bookstore’s place in the community.