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Little Blue Pigeon: Building Community One Book at a Time
A fter 22 years as a book publicist, Paige Dungan decided to take her love of stories in a new direction: opening a bookstore of her own. “I’m a big advocate for telling stories and sharing stories, and the bookstore was a natural next step in doing that,” she explains. You can feel the love and community walking into Little Blue Pigeon. From the soft blue pictures on the wall to the bay window filled with sunshine and pillows, to the bookshelves handpicked with reads meant for everyone, Dungan’s hard work is obvious. Opened in April on Larimer, Dungan hopes the store provides the access to books and the bookstore that she believes the neighborhood of downtown Denver needs. The store also hosts free events for the community, welcoming everyone from babies to retirees. She says her audience so far has been split in the middle, half locals and half visitors, which she adds has been amazing. Dungan greets every single customer with a smile and a “Welcome in!” As you check out, you get the chance to chat about your day, the trip you’re on, which books you like to read, or how hot the BY AMELIA ROESSLER
weather is. The genuine interactions make the shop feel less transactional and more like a neighborhood gathering place. “Because we are a small store, it’s curated,” explains Dungan. “I make sure all voices are being represented, all stories are being told, that everyone can find and see themselves in a book, too.” Every Monday, Dungan takes six to eight hours to place an order, purposely choosing every title in the store. Whether it’s what’s trending, what she’s heard from other bookstores, or the top pick at book clubs, you can find all types of titles. “We have amazing authors, so many readers, and I hope to really help bring more programming around reading and literacy to the city because we have such an audience for it here,” she says. Programs for the Community From Saturday morning storytimes to a children’s area with coloring and train tables, Little Blue Pigeon was designed with families in mind. Storytimes often involve local authors, happening before the store opens to accommodate sensory needs and provide an intimate space to learn. “I wanted it just to be soft and approachable,” emphasizes Dungan. “Like, all day, outside we get loud noises, loud colors, which is why I picked soft blue and white. Because the one place a bookstore should be is just calming, and you get whatever you need out of it for that day. And then you can go back out to the chaos and the outside world, too.” Little Blue Pigeon also provides different workshops for kids throughout the month where different artisans come in to teach. Dungan believes neighborhood bookstores are where you trade knowledge and learn different skills.
Mostly, Dungan wants to know that everyone is welcome—no matter the age or if you’re shopping for a book or not. Visitors are welcome to use the Wi-Fi, color with the kids, or play pigeon bingo—a game Dungan’s oldest son created that challenges visitors to find little pigeons hidden throughout the store. “I really want to bring literacy and book access more into the community,” says Dungan. “I think the more that we can just give access to the books, the more well developed we all become as humans. Because that’s what really helps us imagine and grow and believe in things.” That’s why Little Blue Pigeon has a book- forward program where Dungan partners with a different nonprofit. For every five books sold in the store, one always gets donated to the nonprofit, and the nonprofits choose what type of books they need.
And Dungan says she is always open for ideas and recommendations.
“The only way we can show up in our community is if we have the resources that they’re looking for,” explains Dungan. “The store really is a collaboration.” Little Blue Pigeon is located at 1413 Larimer St. in Denver. You can also call (720) 456-6973 or visit littlebluepigeonbooks.com.
8 COLORADO PARENT OCTOBER 2026
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