The Story Isn't Over: The Bookies Sells, Will Live to See Another Day

Fifty-year-old independent bookstore The Bookies has once again been sold — and that means it will live on in the mile high literary landscape.

As of July 1, new owner Kirstin Gulling is heading operations, working with longtime staffers who've been a passionate part of The Bookies' ongoing legacy. Gulling takes over from former owner Nicole Sullivan, who bought The Bookies at a crossroads in 2021 after the closure of the much-missed BookBar on Tennyson Street and the passing of The Bookies founder Sue Lubeck.

Sullivan made the tough decision to sell the store earlier this year due to personal reasons, noting that if a buyer wasn't found, the store would close this summer. Thankfully, Gulling stepped in.

Plans currently call for no major changes to the store's ongoing mission, but there may be an unspecified few in terms of operation. Sullivan says she'll be staying on through the end of 2025 to help smooth the transition.

“I’ve so enjoyed putting my skills and knowledge to use to set up this beloved, iconic Denver bookstore for success for years to come. I believe Kirstin is the right person to take it from here. Her enthusiasm, passion and expertise will carry The Bookies into its next fifty years,” Sullivan says in an announcement of the deal.

Sullivan's departure from the Denver lit scene will be notable; she's been a powerhouse supporting books and those who love them for well over a decade, becoming a major player — and often primary supporter, as the fortunes of Tattered Cover flagged — in the support of literary pursuits in Colorado.

One of her favorite memories of being a Denver bookseller was the opening day of BookBar back in 2013. "It was so exciting to welcome our very first customer in the door after working so hard to get to opening day," she recalls. But handing the torch over to Gulling might be a close second.

Sullivan says that her other literary pursuit — BookGive — will continue as a separate entity. "We have a new executive director, Kristi Wimbish, who is working on expanding the operation," she says. "We expect the need for our services will continue to grow as access to books continues to narrow."

New ownership isn't the only change The Bookies has seen in recent years. Sullivan spent her three-plus years at the helm streamlining processes and procedures and upgrading systems, operations and technology. In 2024, The Bookies moved to its current location to gain more visibility and provide room for growth.

Gulling is a former Denver attorney who describes herself as a "passionate, lifelong reader and literary advocate who has long cherished the transformative power of books." She homeschooled two of her five children, which she says immersed her family in stories, learning and creativity. Along those same lines, Gulling was deeply involved in 4-H programs with her kids, and has been a constant champion of youth development, community engagement and hands-on education — a profile she shares with The Bookies founder.

Gulling says she's dedicated to honoring and continuing Lubeck's admirable legacy and shared vision for The Bookies: warmth, inclusivity and a passionate commitment to literacy and education. She's eager to greet the Denver
community and welcome old friends and new readers alike, she adds.

“This isn’t just a business to me," Gulling says. "It’s a promise that The Bookies will flourish for another fifty years and beyond, while staying true to the things that make it so special."

The Bookies is open and operating as usual at 2085 South Holly Street; for hours \and more information, see The Bookies website.