Meet Catherine Merritt

We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine Merritt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catherine, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Petals & Pages strives to be more than just a bookstore. We are also a community space where people can come and feel safe, welcomed, and seen. We host a variety of community events such as book clubs, trans+ community game nights, open mics, and more. Creating and sustaining community, especially in this current political climate, is at the core of our mission.

What should our readers know about your business?
Petals & Pages is a queer and feminist independent bookstore and community space in Denver, CO. We opened in the Santa Fe Arts District of Denver in October of 2023. In 2024 after having been open less than a year, we were voted the Best Bookstore in Denver by 5280 Magazine, which was a huge honor. It is hard time for small businesses and independent bookstores across the country right now, but we’re lucky to have such a supportive community of people who come into the store and attend our events. We have plans to open a queer literary coffee shop inside the store, called Sappho Coffee, which should be opening soon. Our vision is for Petals & Pages to be a welcoming community space for all where everyone can see themselves reflected in the books on our shelves and the community around them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Coffee is a must for beginning any trip, and one of my favorite places is Convivio Cafe. They’re a women- and immigrant-owned coffee shop with Guatemalan inspired coffee and food and a beautiful, warm, and inviting space. I would definitely recommend a trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens to check out the gorgeous scenery. It’s the perfect place to walk around, grab a coffee from Copper Door, and even read a book (fun bonus — Botanic Garden members get 10% off at Petals & Pages!). A great place to grab a relaxing seat and get a bite to eat is The Ramble Hotel. Their rooms are so cozy and you can get Uchi, one of my favorite sushi restaurants, delivered straight to your room. I’d of course have to recommend taking a stroll through the Santa Fe Arts District to visit the talented artists in the galleries that line our street, as well as the unique antique stores and fun queer spots like Town Hall Collaborative. Rounding out the day, one of my favorite stops for a drink and a late-night bite is Urban Cowboy, a new hotel and bar inside a beautifully renovated mansion. They have a uniquely crafted drink menu and delicious pizza from Roberta’s that makes for the perfect end to a good day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shoutout the incredible artist Brayan Montes of @yamz.world. Brayan is a brilliant artist and passionate advocate and I feel so lucky to know him as both an artist and a friend and to give a home to his artwork inside Petals & Pages. Brayan also designed the logo and mural for Sappho Coffee, the new coffee shop opening soon inside of Petals & Pages.

Website: https://www.petalsandpagesofdenver.com/

Instagram: @petalsandpagesofdenver