Bookstores in many cities are struggling to compete with Amazon and other online competitors, but in Boulder, Colorado they seem to be thriving. I recently visited the Boulder Bookstore on the Pearl Street Mall, and it was packed with customers. On a weekday afternoon, no less. This store has a huge bargain book section on the second floor, and there is always something there that I can't resist buying. Being a university town with a student population of almost 37,000, as well as many staff and faculty, provides a huge market for them. Plus, it's location on the Pearl Street Mall guarantees a steady stream of tourists and locals who enjoy shopping in such an attractive setting.
Another great bookstore is Trident, located on West Pearl Street, a block or so away from the mall. I have been visiting this place since I first moved to Colorado back in 1981. The store consists of two rooms - one full of books, and the other a coffee shop. It is a popular hangout for Boulderites, and often it is impossible to find a table. A lot of students spend hours on their laptops there, while sipping their coffee. And as you can see from the photograph on the right, the location could not be more picturesque. Once patrons finally leave, I suspect they head up into the nearby Flatirons to get their daily exercise, before heading to the bars for happy hour. You can't beat that Boulder lifestyle. Especially if you don't have to work for a living.
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