Little Blue Pigeon Bookstore, located at 1413 Larimer Street in Denver's Larimer Square, has opened under the ownership of Paige Dungan, who spent more than two decades in book marketing before launching her own retail venture. Dungan's career trajectory in the publishing industry—from childhood exposure to literature through her mother's readings, to years spent promoting authors' work—culminated in her decision to establish a community-focused bookstore that would blend her professional expertise with her personal passion for reading.
The store carries approximately 4,000 titles spanning multiple genres including history, fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, romance, fantasy, children's and young adult literature, cookbooks, classic works, and self-help books. Dungan personally curates the inventory using customer feedback, recommendations from other independent booksellers, and input from local book clubs. About 20% of the stock consists of works by local and Colorado authors. The bookstore also features a children's area with coloring space and a play table with trains, designed to appeal to readers of all ages.
Dungan named the store after a poem by Eugene Field that her mother frequently read to her during childhood, featuring references to a "little blue pigeon with velvet eyes." The choice reflects her desire to create a space that evokes both personal memory and broader cultural resonance with customers across generations.
Little Blue Pigeon plans to host author events and book club meetings. Through its Book Forward program, the store partners monthly with Denver-based literacy organizations, donating one book for every five sold. Dungan sees the bookstore as part of a wider movement toward tangible, interactive retail experiences. She noted that independent booksellers experienced renewed interest during the pandemic when consumers prioritized supporting local businesses.
A national trade organization representing independent retailers reported 3,200 member bookstore locations in 2025, up from roughly 2,200 in 2020. The association documented the opening of 18 member bookstores in 2025 and five additional locations through the current year, indicating continued expansion in the sector. Dungan expects to draw customers from multiple sources: downtown residents, office workers, and visitors from outside the area.
