Quest: Finding a new Indie owner

Hearthfire Books of Evergreen is a bookstore with a mission – finding a new owner. Our absentee owner Lori Underwood (formerly of Evergreen, then London (UK), now Connecticut) is moving in new directions.

We have no intention of going out of business! We expect to pass on this wonderful bookstore to a new generation, particularly one who can upgrade our online presence. We are looking for a smart, savvy owner, one who is passionate about books and community, just as we’ve always been. A noted legal expert in small businesses has told us small businesses transfer ownership with some regularity – it’s a normal part of a business life cycle. We believe that, with our economy in flux, many people are in transition, anyway. Now might be the time to think about that lifelong dream of owning a bookstore, since so much is changing around us. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Lori herself bought the store from the prior owner.

Indies attract a special breed. Manager Janet Rhodes likens running an indie bookstore to becoming a wizard in Gryffindor House at Hogwarts. “We play Quidditch, chasing after the Golden Snitch of small business success. (Watch out for those Bludgers!) We have to learn the Care of Magical Creatures such as Blue-Ocean-Strategy and Inventory-Management, Potions & Charms to become (and stay) part of a local community, Hexes to protect our market niche. Indie stores fight Corporate Homogenization (They-Who-Must-Not-Be Named!). But it’s thrilling and ultimately rewarding in many ways beyond just dollars. “

Hearthfire Books is located in the foothills (really beautiful!) just west of Denver. It’s part of an educated, family-oriented, well-to-do community that values books and literacy. Hearthfire has been in business 12+ years, three of those in its current 1500 sq.ft. location. It has a loyal customer base, long-term employees, state-of-the-art inventory management, membership in national/regional trade associations, and strong community ties and school contacts.


If you’re thinking you’re ready for a change, want to have meaningful work and a place in our community – in short, if you want to learn to be a wizard, please contact us. www.hearthfirebooks.com or info@hearthfirebooks.com.