Help Red Letter Books
Donation protected
See Coverage about this story on the Daily Camera , Fox 31 Boulder Losing a Bookmark , on Boulder Weekly and listen to KGNU's Morning Magazine Podcast (interview starts at 5:30) and on the Denver Post
Red Letter Books has been a staple in the Boulder community for over 30 years, running out of it’s familiar spot at 1737 Pearl Street. Originally started by Jon Murray in 1990, it was purchased by employee Seth Rowland back in 2014. Seth comes from a family of booksellers, and before working at and taking over Red Letter Books, Seth owned Happenstance bookstore, also on the Pearl Street Mall.
Stores like Red Letter are what make Boulder a place people want to come visit. People aren’t traveling to Pearl Street to see national chains, bank cafes and vacant spaces. They come to see the places that can’t be found everywhere. Red Letter has been one of those places that has contributed to what makes Boulder unique and one of a kind.
Seth watched as buildings next to his sold. Red Letter's building sold in 2017 and rent immediately increased. He watched as longtime businesses were forced to close with Red Letter became one of the last standing. Seeing these events gave notice things were probably coming to an end at that location. He since learned that half of the block will be demolished and replaced with condos and upscale dining.
The pandemic played a role in limiting Red Letter’s ability to raise funds for a relocation. Between preexisting vacancies and a lack of foot traffic business on Pearl Street made for a rough year financially. Red Letter received no PPP help throughout all of this despite attempts to procure it. Hopes to use the remaining year on their lease to attempt to find a new space were fruitless. Currently there is no new space and Seth has plans to take existing inventory online for a while and work towards getting another location.
Red Letter’s last day open is set as April 24th. They have settled in the same location for 31 years so moving will be quite the task. The one thing Seth knows is that Red Letter will continue selling books. They are not going to stop. They have survived economic downturns and could have survived the pandemic.
In Seth's own words, "“Primarily, I would like to notify the community of our departure. I would also like to communicate that it was not our choice. We’ve survived economic downturns. We could have survived the pandemic. Development is what is killing us.”
And sadly, Boulder is losing some of its soul bit by bit. Boulder has had a rich cultural history, which is being slowly lost and forgotten. The writers, like Allen Ginsberg and mystics, like Trungpa Rinpoche, have become a small footnote
This Go-fund-me is to help keep Red Letter Books alive. Having to suddenly close the store after what was already a difficult year due to the pandemic has created many unplanned expenses. It is to help with the cost of moving the inventory and to help build his business back up again. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of stopping into Red Letter Books and are able to give your support of any amount towards helping this beloved bookstore, it will be appreciated.
See Coverage about this story on the Daily Camera , Fox 31-Boulder Losing a Bookmark Boulder Weekly and listen to KGNU's Morning Magazine Podcast (interview starts at 5:30).
#smallbusinessrelief
Red Letter Books has been a staple in the Boulder community for over 30 years, running out of it’s familiar spot at 1737 Pearl Street. Originally started by Jon Murray in 1990, it was purchased by employee Seth Rowland back in 2014. Seth comes from a family of booksellers, and before working at and taking over Red Letter Books, Seth owned Happenstance bookstore, also on the Pearl Street Mall.
Stores like Red Letter are what make Boulder a place people want to come visit. People aren’t traveling to Pearl Street to see national chains, bank cafes and vacant spaces. They come to see the places that can’t be found everywhere. Red Letter has been one of those places that has contributed to what makes Boulder unique and one of a kind.
Seth watched as buildings next to his sold. Red Letter's building sold in 2017 and rent immediately increased. He watched as longtime businesses were forced to close with Red Letter became one of the last standing. Seeing these events gave notice things were probably coming to an end at that location. He since learned that half of the block will be demolished and replaced with condos and upscale dining.
The pandemic played a role in limiting Red Letter’s ability to raise funds for a relocation. Between preexisting vacancies and a lack of foot traffic business on Pearl Street made for a rough year financially. Red Letter received no PPP help throughout all of this despite attempts to procure it. Hopes to use the remaining year on their lease to attempt to find a new space were fruitless. Currently there is no new space and Seth has plans to take existing inventory online for a while and work towards getting another location.
Red Letter’s last day open is set as April 24th. They have settled in the same location for 31 years so moving will be quite the task. The one thing Seth knows is that Red Letter will continue selling books. They are not going to stop. They have survived economic downturns and could have survived the pandemic.
In Seth's own words, "“Primarily, I would like to notify the community of our departure. I would also like to communicate that it was not our choice. We’ve survived economic downturns. We could have survived the pandemic. Development is what is killing us.”
And sadly, Boulder is losing some of its soul bit by bit. Boulder has had a rich cultural history, which is being slowly lost and forgotten. The writers, like Allen Ginsberg and mystics, like Trungpa Rinpoche, have become a small footnote
This Go-fund-me is to help keep Red Letter Books alive. Having to suddenly close the store after what was already a difficult year due to the pandemic has created many unplanned expenses. It is to help with the cost of moving the inventory and to help build his business back up again. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of stopping into Red Letter Books and are able to give your support of any amount towards helping this beloved bookstore, it will be appreciated.
See Coverage about this story on the Daily Camera , Fox 31-Boulder Losing a Bookmark Boulder Weekly and listen to KGNU's Morning Magazine Podcast (interview starts at 5:30).
#smallbusinessrelief
Organiser and beneficiary
Jessie Rodriguez
Organiser
Boulder, CO
Seth Rowland
Beneficiary