Later this fall, Denver, Colorado’s BookBar [4] is opening BookBed, a book-themed bed and breakfast, as part of an extensive store expansion.

BookBed will serve as stylish and comfortable lodging for book lovers, authors, and writers visiting the Denver area. “BookBed will complement BookBar by giving our out-of-town authors a place to stay, while hopefully at the same time luring in authors who might not otherwise know of us,” said store owner Nicole Sullivan.

Sullivan’s aim is to have the space mostly completed in time for the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s Fall Discovery Show [5], which is being held in Denver on October 8-10. A formal open house will invite the community in to see the fully finished bed and breakfast on November 6.

The one-bedroom apartment, which is 750 square feet, will be available for rent via Airbnb, an online resource for vacation rentals, or through BookBar’s management. Priority will be given to out-of-town authors coming to the bookstore for events. “It will also be available to writers- or authors-in-residence and book lovers, as well as those who need lodging on our street, which is a cultural district full of vibrant, independently owned shops, restaurants, and bars, but where there are virtually no lodging opportunities,” said Sullivan.

In keeping with its book theme, the apartment will have a full bookcase, a writing desk, and book artwork. The living room will be outfitted with a queen sleeper sofa and the bedroom with a queen bed. A private balcony off the bedroom overlooks BookBar’s garden patio. “The decor will be modern, yet calming and cozy — a perfect writing and reading space,” Sullivan added. Breakfast will be provided by the Denver Biscuit Company.

BookBar opened in Denver’s arts district in the summer of 2013, offering new books and an inventive menu of snacks and drinks. When the tenants in the building’s upstairs apartments gave notice, Sullivan decided to take advantage of the space, something BookBar was able to do as an independently owned business and property, she said.

“During a late night closing we can imagine turning the upstairs apartment into a vacation home for authors and book lovers and then actually make it a reality months later,” Sullivan said. “We can offer a whole package for visiting authors — not only a place to read but also a place to eat, drink, and sleep in close proximity to the community. This concept will definitely bring authors closer to communities, rather than just coming in for a quick signing before heading off to the next venue. These types of connections are good for everyone.”

While the bed and breakfast is still under construction, BookBar is putting the finishing touches on a new, 750-square-foot area in the bookstore that features a children’s room, a family restroom, and a reading room with a fireplace. A new outdoor patio is home to an herb garden for the bookstore’s restaurant, a fire pit with surrounding lounge seating, a community table, and sidewalk seating. The side of the building also now boasts a literary-themed mural. An October 2 celebration is planned for the unveiling of the new bookstore space.