COMMUNITY FEATURE The bookstore has become a home to regular customers who stop by each week, which has made running the shop rewarding for Ray, even on difficult days. However, the growth hasn’t come without its share of challenges, despite the overwhelming support they’ve received from the community. “It is very hard to be a bookstore right now. Profit margins are low, we face enormous competition from big-chain bookstores and online retailers, and the economy is being challenged, leaving folks with less expendable income to buy books,” Ray said. “Every day is a challenge to keep our doors open, and we rely on our community to continue providing support so we can stay open for many years to come.” Despite the obstacles, Petals & Pages has continued to give back to the community, and they hope to continue providing more events and offerings, specifically for queer and marginalized individuals. “We’ve recently started hosting writing workshops, and they are really taking off. We offer low-cost workshops and free tickets for members of the LGBTQ+ community and People of Color (POC) to keep them accessible, and are looking forward to expanding our offerings even more in the coming year,” Ray said. For information on upcoming events, classes, and the different book clubs, visit www.petalsandpagesofdenver.com. “WE’VE GROWN OUR CUSTOMER BASE TO A LARGE AND LOYAL FOLLOWING AND ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT,” SAID PETAL & PAGES OWNER DYLAH RAY. WHAT STARTED AS A SPACE CREATED TO FOSTER CREATIVE EXPRESSION AROUND THE SHARED JOY OF LITERATURE HAS GROWN INTO SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER. 6 DENVER VOICE August 2025
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