— a queer, women-owned bookstore in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District — will shutter April 12.
The store announced the closure Monday morning .
Store owner Dylah Ray said in an interview that the shop has always been both a community space and a bookstore.
“We’ve really achieved our mission-driven work in being a safe space for the queer community and to be a literary and artistic hub,” Ray said. “On the flip side, that community building doesn’t necessarily always equate to financial success. The business is not financially feasible, particularly with high rents in Denver. We are still looking forward to maintaining community presence and being involved in both the queer and literary scenes here in Denver.”
A medley of memories comes to mind when Ray thinks about her proudest achievement, running the store. Highlights include when the shop was an organizing hub for Amendment J, which passed in 2024 and repealed the definition of marriage in the Colorado Constitution as being only between a man and a woman.
“It was what I love bookstores to be — a place of civic engagement, activism, community building,” Ray said.
The shop held monthly poetry slams and won numerous local awards for best bookstore in the city.
Seven people chose the shop for their engagement, Ray said.
“We helped plan them and hide the rings in a book, and we are happy to be part of those folks’ stories,” Ray said.
The store, located at 956 Santa Fe Drive, was founded in 2022. The shop often held community events and doubled as a writer’s workshop with a table dedicated to writers to practice their craft and learn from industry professionals.
Ray doesn’t know what’s next for her yet, but said she looks forward to writing her own book and continuing to be in the literary and activism scene.
Previously scheduled events at the shop will continue, but the last day of regular store hours — open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday — will be April 12.
The shop asked patrons to continue supporting the store through buying books on and and selecting Petals & Pages as the bookshop.
“Thank you for an incredible chapter,” the closure announcement said. “We will miss this little bookstore, but are so thankful that we have you all in our story.”
