‘We are thriving’: Barbed Wire Books continues writing its story 15 years later

Fifteen years ago, Kathe Heinecken did something she had wanted to do ever since she was a little kid — open a bookstore.

Tuesday marks 15 years to the day since Heinecken’s childhood dream turned into a true story.

Shortly after purchasing the building at 504 Main St. in Longmont, which previously housed a bicycle shop, Heinecken opened Barbed Wire Books for business on Oct. 29, 2009.

“I did buy some bookshelves from a bookstore that was going out of business in Denver and then we just built as we needed them,” Heinecken said.

In its early days, Barbed Wire Books’ shelves were predominantly stocked with used books, works by local authors and reading materials kids needed for school.

Heinecken had already collected books from garage sales and thrift stores in anticipation of one day opening her small business. Many of Heinecken’s friends even stored books for her in their own garages.

“People who read books have books,” Heinecken said.

Today, Barbed Wire Books has roughly 70,000 physical books in its inventory.

After Borders announced plans to liquidate all of its bookstores in 2011, including its former Longmont location, Heinecken started selling more new books herself.

“We expanded our new book section radically because we now didn’t have a new bookstore in Longmont,” Heinecken said of when Borders closed. “So, we took up that slack.”

When Used Book Emporium in downtown Longmont announced earlier this year that it would permanently close in October due to the owners retiring, some community members mistakenly thought Barbed Wire Books was shutting down too.

Heinecken even put a sign on the door letting people know that Barbed Wire Books is not closing to clear up any confusion.

“We are thriving,” Heinecken said.

Heinecken credited Barbed Wire Books’ small staff of between five and six employees with helping run the shop, which is open every day 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of holidays.

“Whatever anybody wants bookwise, we’re here to do that,” Heinecken said.

Longmont resident Dana Silkensen, who has frequented Barbed Wire Books since it first opened, said independent bookstores like it are her favorite, pointing out how she does not want to buy her books online.

“It’s an inviting, wonderful place … you’re never hurried,” Silkensen said of Barbed Wire Books. “The people that (Heinecken) hires to help … they’re just calm and comforting and helpful and pleasant and (Heinecken) is really interesting to talk to — she knows so much about books.”

Although Tuesday marks 15 years, Heinecken said she isn’t planning any sort of party. Admittedly, Heinecken said that she isn’t very good at birthdays or celebrations but acknowledged that 15 years is a milestone.

Instead, those who wander into Barbed Wire Books can expect to see Heinecken helping customers in any way she can, just as she’s done since first opening and as she will continue to do moving forward.

“Some book stores thrive like we are … and it’s because we’ve adapted,”

Heinecken is also acutely aware of how the landscape of bookstores in Longmont has changed since she first opened in 2009.

“Now, I’m it,” Heinecken said. “And, it’s a huge responsibility to me.”