Broom Book & Candle Will Open in Denver This November
A new 2,400-square-foot bookstore, cafe, and wine bar will introduce an interactive game for customers.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Broom Book & Candle will debut at 482 S. Broadway in Denver in early November 2026. The new retail concept will function as a bookstore, cafe, and wine bar, with coffee service slated to launch a few weeks after the initial opening.
Why it matters
The venture seeks to establish a dedicated platform for women and marginalized creators within the horror genre. By integrating a cafe and wine bar alongside a bookstore, the operators are diversifying their revenue streams to sustain the brick-and-mortar footprint.
The new retail site occupies a 2,400-square-foot footprint at 482 S. Broadway. This space is designed to support the bookstore, cafe, and wine bar operations.
The players
Amanda Shafer
The co-owner of Broom Book & Candle, responsible for the operational management of the new Denver bookstore and wine bar.
KJ Brantley
The co-owner of the store and founder of the Women in Horror Arts and Media Association, an organization supporting creators in the genre.
Scott Hildebrandt
An experience designer creating the interactive, wand-based game integrated into the shop's retail layout.
The details
The store will implement a phased opening schedule to manage the launch of its various services. To encourage customer engagement, the space will feature an interactive game designed by Scott Hildebrandt that utilizes wands to reveal clues and hidden items throughout the shop.
Timeline
Broom Book & Candle begins its phased opening in early November 2026.
Market Landscape
Broom Book & Candle aligns with the growing experiential retail model by pairing traditional book sales with in-store activity. This strategy aims to compete with online retailers by creating a destination experience that cannot be replicated digitally.
Operators planning new retail launches should monitor how the integration of gamification affects customer dwell time and wine-and-cafe capture rates. Future store layouts may benefit from considering how interactive, low-tech features can differentiate a physical presence from e-commerce.
The takeaway
The store highlights a shift toward niche community programming as a survival strategy for independent booksellers. Owners should track whether the addition of alcohol and cafe services improves profit margins compared to traditional single-category retail models.
Further reading
For more on new local business developments, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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