On the Road to Literary Bliss

Fort Collins’ “Bookstore On The Square” and the Revival of Reading Joy

Photo Credit: Diamond Michael Scott

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins, the ”Bookstore On The Square” stands as a beacon of warmth and literary charm, inviting readers and wanderers alike to step inside and lose themselves among its curated shelves. 

During a recent visit to this gem of a bookstore, I had the pleasure of meeting Megan Murray, the salt-of-the-earth founder behind this burgeoning bookstore movement in Northern Colorado. My conversation with her at the store revealed a passion for books that runs deep, inspiring not just local book lovers, but readers and authors beyond the city limits.

The Bookstore On The Square, located at 113 Linden Street in Old Town Fort Collins, occupies a pristine spot in this vibrant downtown epicenter. This 1,200-square-foot space is perfectly situated in Old Town Square, where Linden Street becomes a foot-traffic-only zone. 

The store is surrounded by local musicians who often perform in the square, creating a lively backdrop for shoppers. With Fort Collins hosting an array of events and festivals year-round, Bookstore On The Square naturally integrates itself into the community fabric, becoming a hub for creativity and conversation.

Walking into the store, one is immediately struck by its warm and inviting atmosphere. There’s a sense of coziness here, an almost palpable love for the written word that Megan has carefully infused into every corner. 

The shelves are meticulously organized, filled with both new and used books that are all in excellent condition. They showcase titles with their covers facing out, a design choice that Megan borrowed from her days of volunteering at elementary school book fairs. This clever display invites exploration, making it easy for customers to stumble upon a book that catches their eye.

Megan’s journey to bookstore ownership began in 2022, when she started On The Road Bookstore, LLC, as a traveling pop-up shop that brought her love for books to fairs, festivals, and local businesses throughout Northern Colorado. 

“It’s been my dream for a while now,” Megan shared with me during our chat. “I started out volunteering with elementary schools in Atlanta doing the Scholastic book fairs, and I just loved it so much. I loved being able to share books with kids, doing that kind of pop-up style where at Scholastic fairs, they have a lot of the covers face out. So, I wanted to scale that out to adult books and teens, and still have kid books. It’s been really fun to do.”

That infectious enthusiasm is palpable in every conversation Megan has with customers who wander into her store. “I think the most fun part of the job is just talking to people about the books every day, people who love books and stories,” she said. 

Photo Credit: Diamond Michael Scott

And it's not just the selection that keeps people coming back; it's the experience Megan creates for them. “A lot of people are surprised by our selection and how curated it is,” she added. “They see books they love here but don’t really see featured at other stores. So, I have a lot of nice conversations with people who have really specific tastes and didn’t realize that other people have the same specific taste.”

Her commitment to offering a diverse range of voices is evident throughout the store. There’s a dedicated section for LGBTQ+ authors, a focus on women writers, and a prominent space for authors of color. 

As Megan explained, “You probably read about the fact that we try to feature marginalized authors and stories. We have our specific LGBTQ section, and lots of women authors and people of color.”

This approach has resonated with the Fort Collins community, which has rallied around Megan’s independent bookstore. “Learning that there is really good community support for bookstores right now, independent bookstores, has been amazing,” she remarked. “Definitely a lot of people specifically come here to support us because we’re independent and local.” 

Bookstore On The Square has also embraced the digital age, partnering with Bookshop.org for online shopping and Libro.fm for audiobooks. Megan noted, “We do get a lot of digital orders, which I wasn’t expecting so much when I started the store. But a lot of people will order a book that we don’t have in the store, but they will order it, pay for it upfront, and then have it shipped directly to us.”

My visit to Megan's bookstore is part of a broader journey I've undertaken — a global bookstore tour where I aim to visit 2020 bookstores around the world by 2030. Each stop along this tour enriches my understanding of the unique ways people connect with books, and Bookstore On The Square is no exception. 

Megan’s story of transforming her love for literature into a thriving local business is inspiring and demonstrates the enduring power of independent bookstores in creating community and celebrating diverse voices.

Bookstore On The Square is not just a place to buy books; it's a gathering space, a cultural hub, and a testament to Megan Murray's vision. Her expansion from a pop-up shop to a brick-and-mortar location in the summer of 2023 reflects her commitment to fostering a love for reading across generations. 

For Megan, the journey is as important as the destination, mirroring the spirit of Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road,” the very book that inspired her to dream big in the first place.

Megan’s efforts to cultivate a membership program, host local author events, and build a community around her store all speak to her broader mission — to make Bookstore On The Square a home away from home for book lovers of all kinds. 

Whether you are a local or a visitor passing through Fort Collins, this bookstore is well worth a stop. After all, there's nothing quite like the experience of stepping into a welcoming space, having a conversation with someone like Megan, and discovering a book you never knew you needed.

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Diamond Michael Scott, Global Book Ambassador and Influencer