Nederland, Colorado, is a small, quintessential hippie town tucked in the Rockies. Half the fun of visiting this bookstore is the drive through the mountains to get there. I moment I walked in Blue Owl, I felt its personality encircle me. It has a series of nooks and crannies with bookshelves stacked floor to ceiling with used books. Most of the books are paperbacks and mass market editions, with a strength in fiction, but also a room for childrens’ books and a smattering of new books (i.e., Stephanie Meyer). The floors are creaky and uneven, but it just adds to the charm.
Blue Owl supports local authors with their own section, this is a creative 
little area because there were several selections. While I was there a local author came into sign some books and drop off her own used books to donate to the store. The owner of the store, a lovely woman, raved about The Mirror, by Marlys Millhiser, a time travel novel that occurs in Boulder and Nederland. I’m looking forward to reading it before I return to Nederland to get a fuller feel for the area.
Blue Owl has a couple of side offerings. A retail counter displays handmade jewelry and accessories (there are lovely silk purses and shawls), specialty massage oils and lotions, and candles. A small cafe offers Magill’s Ice Cream from Lakewood, CO year round, snacks and drinks. Summer hadn’t set in, so I enjoyed a lovely hot chocolate. The tables are scattered in the front room and locals were dropping by to chat with the booksellers and each other-perfect for friendly eaves dropping.
I’ve found that local bookstores often have terrific recommendations for local restaurants (I leave the chain restaurant eating for flying down the highway and just stopping for a quick meal). Blue Owl sent me to The Savory Cafe across the street and I had a terrific lunch.
Next time you’re wandering through the Rockies stop by Blue Owl Books to experience a bit of mountain community.
Blue Owl Books
176 Highway 119
Nederland, CO 80460
303.258.3695
Tags: Colorado, Colorado bookstore, ice cream store, Nederland, Nederland bookstore
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I LOVE Blue Owl. I live just outside of Nederland, and it is places like Blue Owl that make our little town so precious. Nice to see it getting a little recognition.
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