User:The Bookery Nook

Nook Beginnings
On September 15, 2008, a little seed called The Bookery Nook was planted in the hearts and minds of a couple of dreamers who decided to strike out on their own and start their own business. As writers and lovers of books, a bookshop made perfect sense to them and the fact that the economy was swooning? Well, that was taken into consideration but it wasn't enough to abate the the dream. After all, this is America. We're big and strong and we bounce back from everything. Right?

Well - we all know what happened in late September of that year (rhymes with "predatory lending practices", "financial crisis" and "bailout"). Anway, and in spite of the fact that three major "small business friendly" banks double-knotted their purse strings and turned the would-be business owners away, the dreamers continued to nurture the seed and protect it from the hostile economic climate that threatened it.

The final months of 2008 were tough on the little seed, but the dreamers endured and sought out the perfect spot for their seed to grow - north Denver's Berkeley Park neighborhood: A groovy, diverse, ecclectic, bohemian-type neighborhood rich with charm and history. Then, in truly serendipitous timing, the dreamers discovered Denver's Office of Economic Development and their Neighborhood Revitalization Loan program. The new year was suddenly filled with new hope and the realization that the dream was going to become a reality.

On April 1, 2009, The Bookery Nook (affectionately known as, "The Nook") finally nudged its way upward through the dirt and became Denver’s newest independent bookshop. The dreamers, Shannon and Gary Piserchio, know that this just the beginning and that the hard times are far from over. The economic climate is more volatile than ever but, with lots of hard work, outreach, and the support of an amazing commmunity, they might just be able to sustain the life of this little seed and turn it into a sturdy, fruit-bearing, shade-giving, life-affirming tree for book lovers of all ages for many, many years to come.

To be continued...